FGW PLY-PAD non stop run

[38Cto15E]

Whilst watching BBC SW news it was stated that FGW were running a non stop train yesterday (13th) from PLY to PAD.
I understand it completed the journey in 2hr 43mns to prove it can be done under 3 hours.
Now what was the point of the journey as FGW will never realistically have hourly non stops from PLY to London.
Any further info most welcome, TIA

 

[Royston Vasey]

Whilst watching BBC SW news it was stated that FGW were running a non stop train yesterday (13th) from PLY to PAD.
I understand it completed the journey in 2hr 43mns to prove it can be done under 3 hours.
Now what was the point of the journey as FGW will never realistically have hourly non stops from PLY to London.
Any further info most welcome, TIA

This took me by surprise too! It would appear to be a 2+5 HST. Almark posted some pictures yesterday is his thread here

 

[imagination]

To prove that it can be done in under 3 hours?

Surely that doesn't need to be proven - the Cornish Riviera does the journey in exactly 3 hours, calling at 3 stops along the way (2 on the return journey).

 

[TEW]

It was just a press run to promote the route, which judging by the press coverage it received it did.

 

[dk1]

Although a very credible run, 2h43m is not that great. I thought knowing there are timetabled runs stopping at Exeter SD & Reading in 3hrs i expected around 2h30m. After all it's only 225 miles.

Of interest is the 1989/90 GBTT which shows the down Cornish Riviera at 10.25 arriving Plymouth at 13.17 (2h52m) with one stop at Exeter.

Where other trains 'put out of the way' for this run?

 

[38Cto15E]

It was probably an excuse for a booze up and meal for FGW bosses, if it was the 1200 ex PLY I believe that train is Pullman dining, maybe the big wigs got the 0706 down from PAD?
I would have thought that any timetabled train on the route HAS to stop a minimum at Reading and Exeter for revenue purposes.

 

[The Planner]

Although a very credible run, 2h43m is not that great. I thought knowing there are timetabled runs stopping at Exeter SD & Reading in 3hrs i expected around 2h30m. After all it's only 225 miles.

How on earth would omitting two stops gain you 30 minutes ?? Not a chance...

Nice work by FGW using only 5 cars, would have made a difference and I bet professional driving went out the window too.

 

[tbtc]

Where other trains 'put out of the way' for this run?

That's my problem with these "headline grabbing" services, they disrupt lots of other regular journeys (one reason I'm against the obsession with getting the London - Edinburgh services under four hours)

 

[YorkshireBear]

That's my problem with these "headline grabbing" services, they disrupt lots of other regular journeys (one reason I'm against the obsession with getting the London - Edinburgh services under four hours)

Yeah agree at moment its 4hr 1 min, will that not do, most likely they'll have pushed schedule too far and it will be over 4 hours half of time anyway....

 

[dk1]

How on earth would omitting two stops gain you 30 minutes ?? Not a chance....

Its not just the two stops or the several minutes they take. It all adds up if you remove recovery time, coaches any slack & get everything else out of the way. Not many years ago BR would relax TSRs & allow high speed runs to exceed normal line speeds. Shouldnt be that hard to knock off the other 13mins over 225 miles then. No fighting spirit anymore

 

[d1015fan]

I see FGW were trying to beat the 3 hour record that was set in 1953. bearing in mind this would have been steam I am assuming then a 125mph hst to doing max speed of 100mph north of exeter would have done the trip faster no matter what and was the 953 record set on load 5 or a greater amount of coaches, I see FGW have protrayedas a record but when you think about it it is clever marketing.

 

[TEW]

Where other trains 'put out of the way' for this run?

I don't think so, it ran as an additional train for invited guests only just in front of the 1255 service from Plymouth so probably no disruption to normal services.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It was probably an excuse for a booze up and meal for FGW bosses, if it was the 1200 ex PLY I believe that train is Pullman dining, maybe the big wigs got the 0706 down from PAD?

It was an additional train with extra FC coaches so everyone good be served a meal. There obviously some FGW staff on it but there were a lot of Plymouth business people on-board as well. And there isn't even an 0706 from Paddington.

 

[MCR247]

I think he meant the 0730 via Bristol

 

[38Cto15E]

Touched a nerve there me thinks

Gods Wonderful is not my line, however a FGW TM told me the big wigs had gone to PLY on the 0706, I do not know the train times myself although I thought it a tad early, I am guessing he meant the 0906, but that wouldn't leave much time at Plymouth if the return run was around 1250hrs. Long enough for a large Plymouth Gin and Tonic though.

 

[LexyBoy]

It was an additional train with extra FC coaches

Interesting... on Wednesday (I think), arrived at Reading to see a 5-car HST waiting on my platform, not in service - possibly taking on crew? I'm fairly sure it was 2 FC + Buffet + 2 SC though. Left around 0740.

IIRC the London-end power car was 'Glorious Devon' which would be apt I suppose

 

[starrymarkb]

It was a dual purpose run, firstly you have the good rail related story in the press, something the railway does need more of. Secondly with Air South West apparently struggling it's worthwhile buttering up the business types to switch to rail.

Finally it's also a demonstration of what the HST is capable of, especially as they aren't going to be leaving the Westcountry any time soon. (Looks like IEP is binned as is wiring). If the old stock which is no-longer being replaced sets new records it takes some of the edge off the lack of upgrades.