Did South West Trains ever run London Waterloo to Penzance?

[Chris172]

did southwest trains used to do a Sunday service to Penzance, I vaguely remember seeing them Sunday afternoons one departure. I’m not sure if it was from London Waterloo or started at Exeter

 

[Coolzac]

I grew up in Newton Abbot in the 90s and 00s and they used to serve Paignton and Plymouth but no further than that, if I remember correctly. However, I am sure there are more knowledgeable members here who may shed further light on your question!

I missed it when they curtailed them to Exeter, as some comfortable trains were lost for local journeys to Dawlish, Exeter and Paignton!

 

[221129]

Yes they did, albeit with FGW crews from Exeter or Plymouth.

 

[bluesky]

Yes, they used to operate one through service on a Sunday, staffed with Wessex Trains crew beyond Newton Abbot but using a Class 159 throughout

did southwest trains used to do a Sunday service to Penzance, I vaguely remember seeing them Sunday afternoons one departure. I’m not sure if it was from London Waterloo or started at Exeter

 

[Busaholic]

Yes, they used to operate one through service on a Sunday, staffed with Wessex Trains crew beyond Newton Abbot but using a Class 159 throughout

Just to confirm that there was a return service from Penzance too: I recollect being very surprised to see London Waterloo on the timetable board when I went to the booking office there one Sunday afternoon, and saw the train at the platform. I wish I could have made use of it, much more convenient to visit my sister in South London than Paddington!

 

[30907]

ISTR it was technically a GW service west of Plymouth, not just GW crews.

 

[Cowley]

Just to confirm that there was a return service from Penzance too: I recollect being very surprised to see London Waterloo on the timetable board when I went to the booking office there one Sunday afternoon, and saw the train at the platform. I wish I could have made use of it, much more convenient to visit my sister in South London than Paddington!

That must’ve been a very long journey. How many hours would that be I wonder?

 

[MatthewRead]

That must’ve been a very long journey. How many hours would that be I wonder?

Not sure I know it usually takes 3 hours 45 minutes to Exeter from Waterloo so probably about 6 hours or so.

 

[Busaholic]

Not sure I know it usually takes 3 hours 45 minutes to Exeter from Waterloo so probably about 6 hours or so.

Nearer 7 I'd have thought - it was definitely announced at Penzance as a SouthWest Trains service, by the way.

 

[MatthewRead]

Nearer 7 I'd have thought - it was definitely announced at Penzance as a SouthWest Trains service, by the way.

Shame the services can't be reinstated west of Exeter

 

[daikilo]

Shame the services can't be reinstated west of Exeter

I cannot think of any reason why 159 stock could not be used for such provided
1) enough is available
2) crews are trained
3a) an agreement is reached with franchise operators or
3b) it be open access with some clever studies to show it is not abstractive

 

[swt_passenger]

Shame the services can't be reinstated west of Exeter

No matter how often you suggest it, it is extremely unlikely to happen. XC and GWR between them are specified to provide an adequate service west of Exeter.

 

[MatthewRead]

No matter how often you suggest it, it is extremely unlikely to happen. XC and GWR between them are specified to provide an adequate service west of Exeter.

Well I don't think so have you not seen how overcrowded some of the Devon Metro services are.

 

[30907]

Well I don't think so have you not seen how overcrowded some of the Devon Metro services are.

No doubt, but running off-peak SW trains (which is all that could happen) won't solve that, whereas the changes already announced might.

 

[The Ham]

I cannot think of any reason why 159 stock could not be used for such provided
1) enough is available
2) crews are trained
3a) an agreement is reached with franchise operators or
3b) it be open access with some clever studies to show it is not abstractive

3b, continued) see below:

I would run a service calling at:

- Paignton

- Newton Abbot

- Exeter St. Davids

- Taunton

- Castle Cary

- Frome

- Salisbury

- Basingstoke

- Farnborough Main

- Woking

- London Waterloo


Clearly I'm just interested in the income from the Waterloo to Salisbury section, but with an Exeter to Waterloo journey time which is comparable to the SWR service and by making connections that are hard to make at present (e.g. Taunton/Frome to Salisbury, Farnborough to Salisbury, Paignton to most places, etc.) there's scope to generate other income to justify the extra miles.


It also means that by not running via Yeovil that the trains wouldn't be subject to improvements to loops/redoubling of the WofE line and would only need Crossrail 2 to be able to run.


(Note to self, best not publish it somewhere too public incase SWR, or their successor, think it's a good idea and run it as part of their franchise).

 

[swt_passenger]

Well I don't think so have you not seen how overcrowded some of the Devon Metro services are.

There are firm plans in place for GWR and XC to cover that route. It is not SWRs problem to solve.

 

[zac embleton]

yes from 1996 to 2009

 

[MatthewRead]

yes from 1996 to 2009

Is that how long services west of Exeter lasted for I remember when I first read that SWT were withdrawing services west of Exeter they did say they would still run to Paignton on summer Saturdays but they've since gone back on that promise

 

[zac embleton]

they have unfortunately