Strange stations

[158747]

Back in The days of Wessex Trains Kemble, Stroud and Stonehouse were Wessex stations but only served by First Great Western on Paddington - Cheltenham services and Virgin on their service from Swindon to Gloucester. This route was transferred to Wessex Trains in the May 2003 summer timetable along with most of the Virgin 158s

 

[30907]

Does anyone know why GA do not stop at Manea?

It has two request stops each way daily, which suggests to me that these were specified in the Public Service Obligation at privatisation. Either someone thought/knew that Cambridge was a more likely commuting destination than Ipswich OR the 2-hourly Ipswich service didn't exist then (can't easily check and can't remember!). Maybe there was even a regular traveller then?

 

[southern442]

Ebbsfleet intnl is managed by London and continental railways, ans stratford is owned by them

 

[transmanche]

Ebbsfleet intnl is managed by London and continental railways, ans stratford is owned by them

St Pancras is also owned by (but not operated by) L&CR.