Tomorrow - Sunday, 12th July, I have an appointment at the Great Western Hospital at 11:45.  So that's the 08:52 train from Melksham and a bus from Fleming Way to the hospital.  Being a Sunday, buses to the hospital may be thin - but I have nearly 3 hours from Swindon Station. The next train, on time, would give me just 15 minutes!

Yes, I *do* have a "Plan B" if things go wrong.One advantage of having to start to absurdly early is that I should have time to implement that backup plan too.

 
In this context, I have expanded the text for TG, lest he be blamed for the cancellation.

CfN. 

 

I agree, charles_uk, but that's due to limitations of the software. It can be switched off completely, or it's on - for everything.  I am constantly adding / revising such abbreviations / acronyms, and their definitions, qualifying them where necessary, without making them distractingly detailed.

CfN. 

 
Thanks, as ever, Chris, for being so proactive.

Mark

 
I started this topic in 2010 with a couple of articles about Ann Widdecombe and Anton du Beke rehearsing their Strictly moves for startled rail travellers at Newton Abbot, Ann's home town.  At that time, the topic was on our 'lighter side' board.

When recent events were reported, I immediately moved the topic from 'the lighter side' to 'Across the West' and updated the heading. I put it there due to the original references to Newton Abbot station, but I'm content for it to be moved again to 'The West, but not trains in the West' if that is the consensus view.

CfN.

 
This topic has been moved to The West - but NOT trains in the West.

Now in "The West, but not trains in The  West".   An event / passing which is clearly West, is clearly tangential to our main topics, but is recorded and reported here out of respect.

https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=7855.0

 

It should, perhaps, be "The West, but not trains in the west".   The question does arise as to what we cover and don't cover away from rail and other transport topics.  For this topic, a move is appropriate (and I'll do it in a few minutes), but that is far from setting an "any subject goes" precedent.

Subject to review / update from moderator colleagues too.

 
Friday 10 July:


Not quite sure about the auto-added info to the TG code above!!!!

 

I think one of the most frustrating things here is that so many of these cancellations are down to avoidable own goals - GWR (and it is 100% their responsibility as the employer) failing to provide a tolerable working environment for their staff, failing to manage heat related risks which is seeing entire branches virtually shut down for much of the day as staff, quite rightly, do not feel safe or able to work in these conditions.

The message again - don't rely on the railway in anything other than Spring-like conditions, or as Graham suggests,  during holiday periods or major sporting (especially football) events.

 
This is a tragic human event - I wonder whether "Across the West - General rail topics" is really the most appropriate place for its discussion?

Moderators - could it perhaps be moved to a more suitable location?

 
Looking to the pre-2021 timetable, the 19:20 from Waterloo saw the train split at Salisbury, the front portion went off out West and the rear portion headed for Bristol and then returned to Salisbury.

2026, and its nearest equivalent in the timetable splits at Salisbury, the front portion heads for the likes of Yeovil Junction and the rear portion heads for the depot for the night, so while there's still the issue of train staff and route knowledge Westbury to Bristol and back, for that service at least there's no need to be coupling 159s and 158s. Also, I believe on its late evening return from Bristol to Salisbury that train wasn't exactly carrying fresh air. Anecdotally, the only time I saw it at Bath Spa it was around 80% full. In the 2026 timetable, is there even an equivalent service?

Mark

 
The individual arrested on suspicion of committing murder has been released from police custody and is no longer part of the investigation.

 
As opposed to me who uses electricity to make food look like charcoal. 

 
Oh dear ... we are told not to mention BBQs.  So perhaps I should not mention a football match in Miami tonight?

There is a sad pattern ... "severe weather", big match, public holidays ... where GWR are simply unable to provide the service that they are contracted to provide or the public really need if they are to rely on trains.  I am not looking to attach any blame there - just stating a fact we can see from the stats.  98% achieved on a "normal" week - a fair weather railway, but then it goes pear-shaped.    But then once the immediate situation is resolved, we move on / persuaded to the "yes it's better" and the underlying things that caused the problems are just glossed over / forgotten - except by the disappointed customers who are put off / have been suppressed from using the railway.

 

 

A minority of outdoor grills use LPG or even electricity to produce a similar result to charcoal.

 
Hold old are these units? What was the average summer temperatuire back then>? Why would you design an AC that needed to do much more than average at that time? You wouldn't

They all need new kit. There is no money, so units are failed by drivers

 
which rather suggests the maintenance depots are not maintaining the a/c to expected standards of train crew (it's like they work for different companies with different standards).

The new Emirates stock designed to not exceed 23c even when outside temperature is +60c, Eurostar new stock has been specified to work at +55c.    GWR depots cannot cope with maintaining it to cope with temperatures nearer 33c, a mere 10c reduction required (rather than 22-27c reduction)

I guess the depots revealingly their quality standards, but worth remembering same depots with these standards also maintain the trains brakes.

 
........and for a bit of variety.....

20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 will be cancelled.
This is due to a safety inspection of the track.

 
Down to Drivers deciding cabs are too hot to work in at some stage in their shift

 

Rather like the Battle of Britain, then: put up everything we've got, knowing that some of them won't make it back. 

 

Given the number of other lines listed in a similar position to the TransWilts I don't think anyone would challenge that view too much.....perhaps it's send them out on a wing & a prayer and hope for the best?
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