How can I find out how many coaches on GWR train?

[Essexman]

Is it possible to find out how many coaches on a train on a particular day?

I’m thinking of 14.18 Torquay to Paddington. It’s normally nine coaches but five can be substitute. If that’s the case I’d catch another train that may be less crowded. I can check it’s progress from London which gives a pretty good indication that it’s running from torquay and won’t be turned at Newton Abbot as has happened when it’s late but I can’t find anywhere that shows length of the train.

 

[JonathanH]

Is it possible to find out how many coaches on a train on a particular day?

I’m thinking of 14.18 Torquay to Paddington. It’s normally nine coaches but five can be substitute. If that’s the case I’d catch another train that may be less crowded. I can check it’s progress from London which gives a pretty good indication that it’s running from torquay and won’t be turned at Newton Abbot as has happened when it’s late but I can’t find anywhere that shows length of the train.

If a train is booked as nine coaches and running as five coaches, GWR journey check tends to be updated to show that under "Train Formation Updates"

https://www.journeycheck.com/greatwesternrailway/

For example:

18:18 London Paddington to Swansea due 21:21

Facilities on the 18:18 London Paddington to Swansea due 21:21.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9.
Last Updated:11/11/2021 05:02

Also, Tiger will show live formations at most GWR stations:

https://tiger.worldline.global/home

https://tiger.worldline.global/TORQUAY/ciss;graphic=1

Again, as an example:

Departures from Torquay
Train info updated: 19:37

Time	Destination	Plat		Expected	Coaches
19:51	Paignton	1		On time	4 coaches

If you track the train far enough back in its inward journey at another station, you should have good warning of a five car train appearing.

 

[WelshBluebird]

A simple option is that the GWR app seems to show service length along with an indication of how busy each coach is for the IET services.

 

[Essexman]

Thanks

 

[FGW_DID]

Is it possible to find out how many coaches on a train on a particular day?

I’m thinking of 14.18 Torquay to Paddington. It’s normally nine coaches but five can be substitute. If that’s the case I’d catch another train that may be less crowded. I can check it’s progress from London which gives a pretty good indication that it’s running from torquay and won’t be turned at Newton Abbot as has happened when it’s late but I can’t find anywhere that shows length of the train.

Noted on the RealTime Trains website thread in this part of the forum, RTT is now displaying GWR allocations and formations.

 

[73128]

Noted on the RealTime Trains website thread in this part of the forum, RTT is now displaying GWR allocations and formations.

RTT started last Monday ( November 8) I believe.

And an alternative from certain stations see the long used Melksham Rail User Group site: Reading - next direct train (mrug.org.uk)