RPI
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- 6 Dec 2010
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From what I gather at work today, GWR running hourly Plymouth to Paddington via Bristol, other than a couple of castle cary specials thats it. No branches, nothing in Cornwall
From what I gather at work today, GWR running hourly Plymouth to Paddington via Bristol, other than a couple of castle cary specials thats it. No branches, nothing in Cornwall
I'm not sure about south Wales actually, I'm not sure if what I was told was just what affects Exeter so wait for the official timetable.Not surprised re Cornwall, what with the number of local, lever boxes down there still. Surprised there is nothing between Padd and South Wales though, if that's literally it.
Do you know when that will be out?I'm not sure about south Wales actually, I'm not sure if what I was told was just what affects Exeter so wait for the official timetable.
Good job my holiday ends on Monday then!No branches, nothing in Cornwall
Mendip traffic can go via Melksham, which is still openWould the B&H be closed due to no signaller availability or is it just a GWR decision?
As if it's a signaller issue, that'll essentially close down the Mendip quarry traffic on the affected days next week.
Otherwise, much the same as the other TOC's, ie a skeleton service on the core, city - city bit of their network.
True, although that route has weight limits plus is single tracked so even with the reduced timetable, constraints would be there.Mendip traffic can go via Melksham, which is still open
The signalling work required to run one train shuttles from Twyford to Henley and Slough to Windsor isn't especially complex. You will note that Maidenhead to Marlow is dependent on a guard being available. There are existing arrangements to stable units overnight on the routes.It seems to be as if GWR can run more of a service than SWR [South Western Railway] when you look at all the branches being served near London.
Is that due to the signalling set-up in those areas compared to SWR?
The signalling work required to run one train shuttles from Twyford to Henley and Slough to Windsor isn't especially complex. You will note that Maidenhead to Marlow is dependent on a guard being available. There are existing arrangements to stable units overnight on the routes.
The SWR contingent strike service was wider and covered more lines than this strike service will. That didn't have signallers on strike of course but it did need guards.Indeed, once you’ve got the panel open on Thames Valley Signalling Centre the actual operation of the branches are easy, and with the branches with the exception of Marlow being DOO you don’t need any ‘contingent guards’ to run the trains unlike SWR.
The SWR contingent strike service was wider and covered more lines than this strike service will. That didn't have signallers on strike of course but it did need guards.
Still?!Covid (and it’s restrictions during the pandemic) has resulted in a vast reduction of contingent train operating staff
Still?!
Looking at the map in post #6, are GWR planning to route London - Plymouth trains via Melksham rather than Bristol as originally speculated by the OP?
Ahh okay, but will the Castle Cary specials terminate there or continue to Taunton or beyond (as the line from there to Cogload Junction is open). Also seems a bit perverse to route London - Plymouth services via Bristol as the route via Melksham is quicker, and Bristol - Plymouth will be served by Cross Country anyway.I think the trains routed via Melksham will be Glastonbury specials to Castle Cary. The non festival trains are going Plymouth - Bristol - Swindon - Padd if I understand correctly.
Ahh okay, but will the Castle Cary specials terminate there or continue to Taunton or beyond (as the line from there to Cogload Junction is open). Also seems a bit perverse to route London - Plymouth services via Bristol as the route via Melksham is quicker, and Bristol - Plymouth will be served by Cross Country anyway.
I guess that makes sense from a supply point of view to make use of fewer resources while drivers and open lines are in short supply. Another question, but will these London > Bristol > Plymouth trains run via Bath or Bristol Parkway?But Bristol to London wouldn't necessarily be. The idea of a Plymouth - London (via Bristol) train is that, whilst long, it serves two core GWR routes for those that must travel.
There is an abundance of available drivers. It is the guards who are on strike.I guess that makes sense from a supply point of view to make use of fewer resources while drivers and open lines are in short supply.
Indeed not entirely sure where the drivers are all meant to go, there isn't going to be space in most messrooms! And covid hasn't gone away yet either!There is an abundance of available drivers. It is the guards who are on strike.
Covid's not going away so there's no point waiting for it to do so!And covid hasn't gone away yet either!
Indeed not entirely sure where the drivers are all meant to go, there isn't going to be space in most messrooms! And covid hasn't gone away yet either!