I am buying an Anytime Return Hereford to Taunton for a trip in the last two weeks of July. I didn't think there was any rush as being Anytime it's not like snapping up Advances before they go.
So today I decided to do it. Having already established that the 1219 GWR from Taunton to Newport no longer exists (sadly as it was perfect for a 1200 arrival at Taunton) I realised I would have to wait around for the 1248, not knowing it was XC not GWR. However the booking engine on Trainsplit wasn't even offering that train, and on TPE it was offering it but not allowing me to proceed to the payment page as no seat reservations are available. The next service is 1347, nearly two hours after my arrival at Taunton.
I booked a seat on the 1347 before that went too, but have every intention of boarding the 1248 and am prepared to argue with anyone who tries to stop me. Expecting people to hang around for nearly two hours when no doubt there will be plenty of free seats on the XC isn't on.
Anyone know why the 1219 GWR no longer exists? I know there's major engineering work in the Bristol area in July (through to September I believe
) but if XC can run trains then why can't GWR?