Totnes to Paddington - how full?

[Khunwilko]

I intend to travel between Totnes and London on 15 December and 17 December.
Can anyone tell me how crowded the trains are likely to be?
I'm flexible as regards to times and also would consider 1st Class travel
I need to be able to sit down.

 

[Chris Butler]

I'm sure you'll get more specific replies, but I travel frequently from Taunton to Paddington and back on 'off-peak' trains (basically 10:00-16:00 departures) and I can't recall the last time one arrived/left 'full and standing' except for cases of disruption.

Why not just reserve a seat to make sure (or 90% sure)?

 

[Khunwilko]

I'm sure you'll get more specific replies, but I travel frequently from Taunton to Paddington and back on 'off-peak' trains (basically 10:00-16:00 departures) and I can't recall the last time one arrived/left 'full and standing' except for cases of disruption.

Why not just reserve a seat to make sure (or 90% sure)?

Thanks, that's helpful.

 

[irish_rail]

I'm sure you'll get more specific replies, but I travel frequently from Taunton to Paddington and back on 'off-peak' trains (basically 10:00-16:00 departures) and I can't recall the last time one arrived/left 'full and standing' except for cases of disruption.

Why not just reserve a seat to make sure (or 90% sure)?

I'd dispute this. 1205 off London can be extremely full, the 1103 also but not quite as bad.

 

[Khunwilko]

I'd dispute this. 1205 off London can be extremely full, the 1103 also but not quite as bad.

1205 FROM London?

 

[Chris Butler]

I'd dispute this. 1205 off London can be extremely full, the 1103 also but not quite as bad.

I frequent both of those trains and I have not seen them leave Paddington (in ordinary circumstances) "full and standing". You can dispute all you like, but that is true.

I have seen them extremely full (which is what you said), yes, but not "F&S" which is what I said.

 

[brad465]

I frequent both of those trains and I have not seen them leave Paddington (in ordinary circumstances) "full and standing". You can dispute all you like, but that is true.

I have seen them extremely full (which is what you said), yes, but not "F&S" which is what I said.

From May-September, this service runs fast to Plymouth (with a pickup only at Exeter), with an additional service 2 minutes behind it calling at Reading, Taunton and further stops to Plymouth, to manage increased demand. Outside of this period it is not as in demand, however the Monday after the London Marathon it was very busy (something I found out the hard way by travelling on it), to the point the train manager made customers aware of GWR's No Seat compensation claim option.

I would imagine the best trains to get from Totnes regarding crowd levels are Plymouth starters, as Totnes is the first call after this. While you'll get Cornish passengers changing at Plymouth to board a Plymouth-Paddington service, far more will prefer the direct services. Also late-afternoon tends to be quieter, as those travelling afar will have set off in the morning or early afternoon.

 

[irish_rail]

I frequent both of those trains and I have not seen them leave Paddington (in ordinary circumstances) "full and standing". You can dispute all you like, but that is true.

I have seen them extremely full (which is what you said), yes, but not "F&S" which is what I said.

I absolutely will dispute this as I work the 1205 on a regular basis so probably more than you travel on it. Certainly around holiday times, and Mondays and Fridays it is frequently full and standing by Reading.

 

[irish_rail]

From May-September, this service runs fast to Plymouth (with a pickup only at Exeter), with an additional service 2 minutes behind it calling at Reading, Taunton and further stops to Plymouth, to manage increased demand. Outside of this period it is not as in demand, however the Monday after the London Marathon it was very busy (something I found out the hard way by travelling on it), to the point the train manager made customers aware of GWR's No Seat compensation claim option.

I would imagine the best trains to get from Totnes regarding crowd levels are Plymouth starters, as Totnes is the first call after this. While you'll get Cornish passengers changing at Plymouth to board a Plymouth-Paddington service, far more will prefer the direct services. Also late-afternoon tends to be quieter, as those travelling afar will have set off in the morning or early afternoon.

Agree, the 1315 that starts at Plymouth is probably a good one, as is the 1515 Plymouth starter.