Route of the FGW Sleeper

[Drimnagh Road]

Went on the sleeper from Penzance-Padington last Sunday, I know we didn't go via Yeovil as when I woke up the train was in the same direction as when we left Cornwall.

Now, I would have assumed the normal route was the direct way via Westbury, but somebody else says the normal route is Bristol. Is this correct? Do they send it the long way round just to kill time I assume?

Finally, if we did go via Bristol, does it then go via Bath or around by Filton and Bristol Parkway? Thanks in advance.

 

[Twoonthebuzzer]

The sleeper can basically go anyway it wants, engineering works etc permitted!!

It often goes via Bristol and Hullavington! Or via Yeovil and CLC! Goes via Melksham occasionally!

 

[anthony263]

When i traveled on the sleeper back in 2009 i am sure it was melksham we passed through

 

[4SRKT]

When I went on it in 1993 it went via the Desert [almost] to Westbury, then avoided the station and went via Trowbridge and Bath. Mind you, in those days it stopped at Temple Meads. Basically there are about half a dozen combinations of routes it can take between Reading and Taunton, and you either need to stay awake (as I did back then) or ask the staff on the night what route's being covered.

 

[RayB]

I used to get this train regularly (in either direction). I can recall more than once going via Weston-Super-Mare.

 

[Boothby97]

According to Freightmaster the train passes Par,Taunton and Reading but according to Wikipedia (can't rely on them) can take any route between Taunton and Reading (via the GW Main Line, Bristol or Trowbridge).
And also slightly off topic but is the train formed of two 57s topping and tailing.

 

[starrymarkb]

No Just 1 57. Though they do run T&T from the depots at OOC/Marizion into Paddington/Penzance

 

[Boothby97]

Okay, thanks.

 

[TEW]

No Just 1 57. Though they do run T&T from the depots at OOC/Marizion into Paddington/Penzance

It's only a single 57 propelling the train to/from Long Rock. An 08 is used occasionally to bring the stock in to Penzance station, but usually the 57 performs the work on its own.

 

[junglejames]

Apparently Sunday nights from 3rd April it is routed via the Westbury East Loop heading Eastbound.
So Bristol, Bath, Trowbridge, Hawkeridge Junc, Westbury East Loop Junc, then onwards to Reading.