Hmmm - if the trial was a success you would think there would be some comms.
Introduction of 175s should directly or indirectly free up a few IETs to do what they were actually designed for instead of trundling around on stoppers.
There may well be communication between GWR and DfT on the matter but it isn’t necessarily for the public domain. GWR have already stated their ambition for a regular 6d/week service between Bristol and Oxford, as have stakeholders along the route (particularly at the Oxford end) so I imagine it’s quite high up the priority list. This suggests there is already a business case for operating it once stock becomes available, whether released by Class 175 deployment or otherwise.
I was going to say, looks like the stock is used for the Pembroke Dock extensions in high summer, which I’d guess was probably a commitment.
The biggest losers from the service not going to 1tph all-day permanently are probably the Wantage station group...
Going to be particularly popular during the Bath Christmas Market once again.
Oh yes of course and most will want to stay into the evening so an easy change at Didcot on the return.
Isn’t it awaiting more rolling stock? I thought this is why it can only run when not needed on a Newquay service.
If GWR can get all 175s into service, this should displace some IETs that work local services in Devon & Cornwall (Penzance-Plymouth/Exeter St Davids). However, an hourly Bristol-Oxford service may not be the first priority for them (even though it will free up space on Bristol-Paddington trains by taking more local passengers off the London services).
Cheers. I did wonder if the 175s were going to help in the long run.
They've surely got more IET's spare haven't they?
Apparently not. That’s why the service was suspended during peak Summer. The IETs are intensively used.
GWR are almost always running sets down. There just isn’t the availability, and Hitachi is only required to supply a certain number of 800s, which are already used even if all available.
The GWR mainline group has 140 short forms (below min spec agreed with DfT) in most recent 4 weeks period. Thats 5 or 6 every day.
Which of course they aren't. No matter how many times you suggest it!
The issue looks more that Hitachi aren’t meeting their requirement to get the necessary sets GWR require, out in service.
Mark Hopwood speaks quite openly about the 175s helping out in a GWR focus section in Septembers issue of Modern Railways. He mentions that using IETs on Cardiff-Taunton/Exeter is not a good use of such expensive trains.
Which of course they aren't. No matter how many times you suggest it!
The timetable requires Hitachi to provide 79 IETs (out of 93) on a daily basis.
And as I have said before, no point in having clauses in contracts, if your legal Dept isn't prepared to throw its weight around, day in day out and make sure they are strictly enforced and achieved.
They don't really have any spares, which is why there are so many 2car substitutions for scheduled 3car etc. Also the 8.54% of trains cancelled on South Wales - South Coast includes lots due to train faults (and nothing serviceable in sidings to substitute).
Also covered in the Clarion - https://oxfordclarion.uk/clarion-weekend-5-december-2025/
I thought the level crossing mention worth highlighting..
