HST to Weymouth on Saturdays

[dorsetman]

The summer Saturday additional train from Bristol to Weymouth and return will be an HST this year.

 

[Shaggy]

This is very interesting. Where did you find out this information?

I only ask as there will have to a be a lot of route/traction learning in a short period of time as currently, no HSS drivers sign Weymouth, and no West drivers sign HSTs.

 

[DDB]

I don't know where the OP got the news from but it's been in the local paper http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/11079265.All_aboard_for_new_high_speed_train_service_between_Bristol_and_Weymouth/ and having a poke around on the TOC website it is annonced there as well. http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/About-Us/Media-Centre/2014/March/potential-improvements-to-west-of-england-services Note the URL is entitled potential improvements but the text talks about both potential improvements and those already agreed with the DfT. The Weymouth HST is in the already agreed with the DfT list.

What was the plan for HST use during the Olympics? Were they conducted south of Castle Cary?

DDB

 

[83G/84D]

Train is in TRUST and showing as a HST:-

1072 0906 Bristol Temple Meads - Weymouth (arr 1145)
1V67 1728 Weymouth - Bristol Temple Meads (arr 2009)

Set lays over at Weymouth sidings between workings.

 

[swt_passenger]

This is very interesting. Where did you find out this information?

The information was also already available in this forum, posted on the 8th March in the 'May Timetable changes' thread:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=1730877&postcount=184

 

[Techniquest]

What was the plan for HST use during the Olympics? Were they conducted south of Castle Cary?

Pretty sure West crews conducted the HSS crews in the plan, but no HSTs actually went to Weymouth in the end did they during the Olympics?

I'll be surprised if it happens this summer, indeed there have been no loco-hauled extras since 2010, when 57604 did the last one? So if they do indeed need an HST for the summer Saturday turns I'll be surprised.

 

[TEW]

FGW have confirmed that they'll be using an HST to Weymouth, the link is the 3rd post on this thread. They've also confirmed the use of the 57 and sleeper stock on a Par-Exeter and Exeter-Penzance service on Summer Saturdays too.

 

[Techniquest]

Fair, looks like I might have a trip down to Weymouth in the summer if I can get a Saturday off

 

[N Levers]

Pretty sure West crews conducted the HSS crews in the plan, but no HSTs actually went to Weymouth in the end did they during the Olympics?

.

I thought that a hst went down there on the first planned day, nobody got on it so they didn't bother the rest of the time.

 

[TEW]

I think it did work down there on the first day and maybe one other time too. The HST was always available but was only sent down to Weymouth if the loadings on workings into Weymouth indicated that it would be needed.

 

[dorsetman]

The HST ran on two occasions to/from Weymouth during the Olympics. It was a relief to the last Weymouth-Bristol but everyone got on the service train, so it remained on standby after that.

Photo attached of the down HST at Dorchester West on 29 July 2012.

 

[Welshman]

FGW have confirmed that they'll be using an HST to Weymouth, the link is the 3rd post on this thread. They've also confirmed the use of the 57 and sleeper stock on a Par-Exeter and Exeter-Penzance service on Summer Saturdays too.

Presumably just the seating coaches? I wouldn't fancy travelling in a sleeping cabin for the Par-Exeter journey! Or perhaps to save coupling and uncoupling they'll just lock the sleepers out of use?

 

[TEW]

It's not been confirmed yet. Even in the sleeping carriages are still in the rake of coaches they would be locked out. As the 57+MK3s will go on to Long Rock depot for a couple of hours though it would be fairly easy to remove the sleeping carriages.

 

[berneyarms]

Not a few hours - they're not used again until Sunday night.

 

[TEW]

Yes, but there's a few hours between the sleeper arriving from London and the ECS departing for Par to run the daytime service.

 

[swt_passenger]

It's not been confirmed yet...

Do you mean here just that the actual stock isn't confirmed? Because the Par to Exeter and return service has been confirmed by FGW in a recent announcement.

 

[TEW]

Yes, the actual formation of the carriages within the train haven't been confirmed yet, but the service itself has.

 

[swt_passenger]

Yes, the actual formation of the carriages within the train haven't been confirmed yet, but the service itself has.

Thanks...

 

[Old Shire]

Looking at the timetable for the 24/05/14 the service to Weymouth does not stop at the same stations as on the return trip. The county town of Dorset is missed out on the down service but is included on the return. Why?

 

[Flamingo]

There is a sign up in Bristol depot looking for TM's of a cheery disposition to volunteer to route-learn Weymouth and work these trains.

I obviously don't fit the criteria!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Looking at the timetable for the 24/05/14 the service to Weymouth does not stop at the same stations as on the return trip. The county town of Dorset is missed out on the down service but is included on the return. Why?

Could it be platform lengths?

 

[6Gman]

There is a sign up in Bristol depot looking for TM's of a cheery disposition to volunteer to route-learn Weymouth and work these trains.

I obviously don't fit the criteria!

But just think how many members of this Forum you'd get to meet!

 

[Flamingo]

That too! Seriously, it's not open to staff at my depot (and I hate route-learning).

 

[455driver]

That too! Seriously, it's not open to staff at my depot (and I hate route-learning).

Thats because you are miserable!

I have just had a week to learn a new route, pity half of it was closed for engineering work from Monday to Friday, they had to give me a rest day on Saturday to learn that bit so I could be assessed on Monday, so thats a few more sheckles in the beer fund!

 

[TEW]

Could it be platform lengths?

Platform lengths aren't a problem because FGW HSTs have SDO. It could well be related to pathing. The HST will have to fit in the right slot on the single line sections on the Weymouth branch and it will be timed to take longer than the DMU previously used on the service, both because of lower speed limits on part of the route and because an HST will have longer dwell times. It might be that the only way it fits on the various single line sections is by skipping stops.

 

[Flamingo]

Thats because you are miserable!
!

I refer the honourable member to my previous answer....

 

[Old Shire]

Thanks TEW for your reply and l agree with your reasoning. The journey time each way is about 20 minutes longer than the usual service . So l think the Dorset Echo has got their story abit wrong

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/11...ed_train_between_Bristol_and_Weymouth/?ref=nt

 

[Dennis]

liked this comment on the Dorset Echo story

davecook says...
Be interesting to try to hail it at Chetnole as it comes hammering through at 15mph..........

 

[dorsetman]

The HST is showing in the new timetable as a named train - "The Weymouth Wizard", with on-board Express Café. It stops at Dorchester West in both directions.

 

[Old Shire]

The Wessex Wizard is a bit of a magical train as it doesn't call at Bruton on the down service but does on the return,Perhaps Bruton has a platform 9 3/4