With the ongoing problems with the SW mainline (to Exeter) could some services go via Taunton.

[yorksrob]

I was just reflecting on the fact that since the soil moisture issues on the SW mainline via Honiton, there's been an alternate service with some trains progressing to Exeter and others terminating at Yeovil.

My idea is that perhaps the Yeovil terminators could progress to Exeter via Westbury and Taunton.

There is a sort of precedent, in that I remember catching a Waterloo - Taunton service via Westbury a few years ago, so peculiar routes aren't unusual.

Yes, it would be a lot of training for staff, but this issue doesn't seem to be going away in a hurry !

 

[greaterwest]

Where would the extra units and crews come from to run such a service?

Why duplicate a route already served by GWR (who are also already accepting SWR tickets)?

I believe SWR ran empty stock over that section for fuelling purposes during a blockade, utilising GWR pilot drivers, but never a passenger train.

 

[yorksrob]

Where would the extra units and crews come from to run such a service?

Why duplicate a route already served by GWR (who are also already accepting SWR tickets)?

I believe SWR ran empty stock over that section for fuelling purposes during a blockade, utilising GWR pilot drivers, but never a passenger train.

I suppose that if you're on the train from East of Salisbury, it would be a bit of a ball ache changing at Salisbury and Westbury. Why not just divert to Exeter !

(I fully recognise that a lot of traffic is for intermediate stations, so a single unit (as opposed to the usual two) would be justified).

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

It is a long way round - it would almost be as quick to wait for the following Exeter service! Personally I think it would be preferable to abandon Axminster to Yeovil for the time being (served by RRBs) enabling a hourly Exeter to Axminster service (for Cranbrook etc.) still to be maintained. SWR units would have to be outstationed at Exeter Depot - GWR is being nationalised from Dec.is it not?

 

[yorksrob]

It is a long way round - it would almost be as quick to wait for the following Exeter service! Personally I think it would be preferable to abandon Axminster to Yeovil for the time being (served by RRBs) enabling a hourly Exeter to Axminster service (for Cranbrook etc.) still to be maintained. SWR units would have to be outstationed at Exeter Depot - GWR is being nationalised from Dec.is it not?

I see your point regarding my idea - as a through traveller on the route, a longer diversion is preferable to RRB's.

I have to say, I'm dead against your Axminster - Yeovil bustitution idea. One through train every two hours is infinately better to none IMO.

And also, there's a likelihood that this could happen many years. A multiple month bustitution every year really could kill off the line !

 

[Kite159]

It is a long way round - it would almost be as quick to wait for the following Exeter service! Personally I think it would be preferable to abandon Axminster to Yeovil for the time being (served by RRBs) enabling a hourly Exeter to Axminster service (for Cranbrook etc.) still to be maintained. SWR units would have to be outstationed at Exeter Depot - GWR is being nationalised from Dec.is it not?

Or even an hourly Exeter - Honiton shuttle in the gaps, as there is a speed restriction between Honiton & Axminster.

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As for running trains Waterloo to Yeovil Junction, reversing to head to Castle Cary on the single track line & reversing on Platform 2 at Castle Cary to head to Exeter via Taunton, probably will take as long as someone waiting for the next direct Exeter train, yet alone the staff having to know Castle Cary - Exeter.

And I'm pretty sure you can't run into platform 2 at Castle Cary from the Taunton direction.

 

[Gloster]

As for running trains Waterloo to Yeovil Junction, reversing to head to Castle Cary on the single track line & reversing on Platform 2 at Castle Cary to head to Exeter via Taunton, probably will take as long as someone waiting for the next direct Exeter train, yet alone the staff having to know Castle Cary - Exeter.

And I'm pretty sure you can't run into platform 2 at Castle Cary from the Taunton direction.

No, you can’t run into platform 2 at Castle Cary from the Taunton direction. You would have to go up past the crossover which is about half a mile away and then come back through a Shunt signal.

 

[yorksrob]

Or even an hourly Exeter - Honiton shuttle in the gaps, as there is a speed restriction between Honiton & Axminster.

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As for running trains Waterloo to Yeovil Junction, reversing to head to Castle Cary on the single track line & reversing on Platform 2 at Castle Cary to head to Exeter via Taunton, probably will take as long as someone waiting for the next direct Exeter train, yet alone the staff having to know Castle Cary - Exeter.

And I'm pretty sure you can't run into platform 2 at Castle Cary from the Taunton direction.

Well, a shuttle from Yeovil would be a decent alternative.

 

[brad465]

Fixing the underlying problems with the WoE line would be more worthwhile than having diversionary services anything like that described here. Some more services between Castle Cary and Yeovil though would be beneficial, and would reduce journey times between Taunton and Yeovil through a more reliable connection at CLC.