Recent content by Parallel

Cardiff Central is definitely in need of something doing to it. The services west of also need a rethink. I was in the area recently and a late running Maesteg - Gloucester service managed to delay 4 trains behind it in the Cardiff area. It would be good if Carmarthen platforms are extended to...

Not only Avoncliff but I think 6 coaches are too long for the platforms southbound at Oldfield Park, Freshford, Bradford-on-Avon, Frome, Bruton, Castle Cary platform 3, Maiden Newton and the request stops. The internal doors were locked between the 5th and 6th carriages when a 6 car operated...

Isn’t it usually a five minute minimum connection time at stations? That Paddington - Didcot service is scheduled to arrive at 15:32, with the Marlow train due to depart at 15:36, giving only 4 minutes, or is the connection time 4 minutes at Maidenhead? Seems a bit tight even if everything is...

I agree if the announcement system is set up as global for a station, but not for somewhere like Reading where the automated system is zoned by pairs of platforms but the manual ones cover the whole station. Passengers on platform 13 don’t need lots of information about a train on platform 7!

That’s ludicrous. If anything, they should be refunding the cost of the new ticket!

I think it was to do with testing if it would work operationally - I understand the answer was no as there wasn’t sufficient clearance for wheelchair users to disembark at the west end of the platforms.

Maybe, though on IETs stopping at Bedwyn, the front four coaches are unlocked.

I agree. You can see this at Bristol Temple Meads after a train from Severn Beach rolls in. There’s often a long line of people waiting at the excess fares desk, who I’m sure would otherwise just exit the station if barriers weren’t in use.

Some operators seem to have many stations gated such as SWR for example. Then cross over to GWR who have relatively few. WMT also seem to not have gatelines at a lot of stations which you might expect, such as the Worcester stations, Stourbridge Junction, Sandwell & Dudley, Tamworth etc. I...

Part of me does wonder if the additional service from Newquay should’ve been diverted to Plymouth, acting as an all-station stopper, so some stops could be removed on the Penzance services, however I think this is a good idea in theory, if it wasn’t for the awkward reversal at Par which must...

The Weymouth train before it was also delayed due to a signalling fault, and passengers at Bristol were advised to wait on the platform for the Portsmouth service. The unit swap I believe was due to the previous train having a fault and needing to be taken out of service.

I find the seats on GWR’s IETs uncomfortable, and many seat cushions have sagged, so you can feel a metal bar underneath, making them feel more uncomfortable.

Cardiff - Portsmouth; Cardiff - Penzance; Gloucester - Weymouth could take 2x2 without platform issues. Only Avoncliff, Dilton Marsh, Thornford and Chetnole would be local door only but they are now anyway with non-corridor stock. Bristol - Salisbury locals and Westbury-Swindon could probably...

Bearing in mind how busy the 07:22 from Barnstaple to Exeter Central is with a 3 car 158, I think ideally you’d want to increase capacity on that service rather than just replacing with another three car unit. Is it possible to move some of the centre cars from other units to make some...

I’ve used a class 153 on the Heart of Wales line before which had no working toilet. The guard arranged a toilet break at Llandrindod, where they also provided change (assuming from the cash float) as it cost 20p to access them. No further toilet stops were made south of there.