Great Western Coffee Shop

This morning, I arrived for the 8am Maidenhead (HST - one of the few we are allowed) to Paddington non-stop.. It's usually either 8 or 7 carriages.. This morning it was a 3 car turbo..

Needless to say a lot of people didn't get on.. Nor did they get  on the 8.04 which is also non-stop to Paddington.. This train however is always full when it arrives at Maidenhead so I'm never quite sure why it stops, other than to let people off.. It certainly doesn't serve Maidenhead commuters..

The next departure (8.11) was also full to overflowing so I ended up on the 8.26 very slow stopping service..And got to work quite late...

So... all the trains ran on time.. but a lot of people were late because of what happened.. I guess FGW are ok though and no compensation is due to anyone... >:(

Fraid you are right, nothing cancelled nothing late so no compensation. Unless of course it's a persistant problem when the ORR might just get round to fining FGW but that's no help to anyone.

Brilliant...  Fortunately I am working somewhere other than London tomorrow.. otherwise I'd be worried it would happen again unexpectedly.. And I'm not sure how to find out what sort of train is being used for a particular service.. without going along to see it that is...

And again today it seems (from FGW journey check).  >:(


So FGW sell all these first class East bound only tickets.. And this is one of the very very few trains it's worth using them on (no point using it on a turbo in the rush hour in general).. And instead these people and all regular passengers on this train now have to fight to get on this and subsequent trains and travel in totally unacceptable conditions...

Well I'm off to get the 7.41 which, although it only stops at Slough, manages to make the journey take 40 minutes by crawling behind a stopping train.. ::) only FGW could manage this  ::)

The main problem is the growth of commuting from most stations in the Thames Velly and reconciling the stopping patterns to provide most larger stations with fast through trains to London. Also there's the mix of HST and Turbos with their 35 mph maximum speed differential. Hence trying to run the Slough fasts Up the Relief. Rather than crossing them at Dolphin onto the Up Main which is fully occupied with HSTs.

It is always going to be slower than using the Main and also it is then becomes difficult to fit in all the stopping services needed to cater for the large demand from Langley inwards.  Because you are basically taking a 20 minute chunk out of the timetable as you have to have a theorectical path that allows the train to run non stop from Slough to Padd without catching up with the previous stopper. This path also leaves  around a 12 gap behind it at before the next all stations stopper can arrive Hayes from Slough. Fortunately a Heathrow Connect can be slotted in. Similarly there is an even larger gap at West Ealing between the Slough fast and Slough stopper passing which can be used for the Greenford. Which is quite slick timetabling.

The problem is if anything causes the stopper in front of the fast to run late then there is a domino effect back down the line.

You really need to graph the service to fully see the problems sloting a fast into a set of stopping trains and how the domino effect can ripple back. It's exactly the same maths as the sudden stops you get on busy motorway caused by 5 mph differential in the fast lane casuing a complete stop several miles back down the motorway. The only difference that hopefully you don't get a multiple shunt on the railway.

Is there still talk of the extra reversible  Relief Line betwen Langley and Slough?

On the refund issue pesumably Frist Class ticket holders who can't get a seat get a rebate?



   

Definite HST shortages this week.  The 15:51 Paddington-Worcester Shrub Hill has also been 'Turbotuted' both days this week so far.


A reversible relief line between just east of Langley and just east of West Drayton is firmly part of the Crossrail plan.  Talk of extending it westwards from Langley to Slough is, as far as I know, only talk with it being agreed that with quite major work at Langley it would be theoretically possible.  The same could be said eastwards (with major work at Hayes and Southall) as far as Wharncliffe Viaduct before Hanwell.

As mentioned on another thread the 16:15 London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa failed on Saturday after leaving Didcot Parkway.  It ended up being separated with the front power car and the standard class coaches plus buffet going to St Philips Marsh and the first class coaches and the rear power car being towed to Old Oak Common.  That might be the reason.

Thanks for the info on loops Indusrty Insider I thought the Slough Langley loop was on the cards because it is relatively easy.  Basically reinstating the old goods loop from Dolphin Jn and making it the Up Relief with the existing Up Relief becoming a reversible loop. The major expense would be 90 mph turnouts and appropriate signals. 

Really?  The car parks seem emptier - is everyone cycling more?  Could it be that shorter trains make it look like there more commuters?

It was the same this morning - large numbers at Maidenhead for the 8.11 and at Slough it had to leave people behind.

Sort of off topic but fascinated to know how the CIS displays define "on time".  At Twyford this morning the 8.02 was showing as due 8.05 then at two minutes past it switched to being "on time" - no train in sight, of course. Arrived a couple of minutes later.

Ironic that history tells us the standardisation of time across the UK was driven by the expansion of the railways!   

I think so, I've seen some strange HST formations in the last week or two.
- 08:34 Reading to Paddington (from PLymouth) had a standard buffet and an express cafe coach (not open) (coach B)
- 08:34 last wednesday - had a first/buffet car adjacent to the front engine with the a out of action sign on it
- some HST's I've been on have only had 4 standard class coaches

It would appear that Crossrail (http://www.crossrail.co.uk/) can't come soon enough.....

I sympathise entirely Jo :(

I recall the last Sunday before Christmas at Bath Spa, needed to take the 18:07 to Bruton. Train came in and because the Portsmouth Habour was late ::) everyone piled onto this 2 coach for Stations to Westbury. This left some very cross passengers (Myself included) who wanted stations on the Weymouth line. The look on some of the passengers faces when they were told that the next service wasn't until 21:07 was a picture!! >:(

When I asked if they were going to provide alternative transport I was told a very blunt NO! Fortunately the ticket office was still open so I went downstairs and explained and the chap issued me with a refund. They didn't seem in the slightest bit concerned that we had to wait 3 hours. I was fuming!

And again today (Thursday Jan 26).

07:14 Didcot Parkway to London Paddington due 08:26 Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 8.
This is due to a train fault. Message Received :26/01/2012 06:00

Fortunately I'm not going into London for the rest of this week.. I will be asking for a refund for the 1st class part of my ticket (not sure I'll get it though)..

Yesterday I got a seat in first class on the 7.41 from Maidenhead but spent the journey from Slough onwards with the whole of first class packed with standing people too so not a pleasant experience.. And even with a 40 minute timetabled journey (which I worked out to be an average speed of approx 35 miles per hour!!) the train still managed to be late.. And because it arrives at Platform 14 that added another couple of minutes on.. I do hope it's sorted out by Monday..

There's been a reaction to this story on Twitter this morning. The invariably helpful @FGW person responded to complaints with (for example)


and

Thanks for that Phil.. It sounds like it should be back to normal on Monday.. (same again today though..)

Meanwhile, in case it isn't, does anyone on here know which other Maidenhead morning departures are HSTs? I don't think there are many but if this continues I'd rather go in much earlier and be guaranteed to get on a train.. I did try looking at the list of timetables on the FGW site as I know that information would be on a timetable but I struggled to find the Maidenhead to Paddington one (mind you that might just be me being stupid  ::))

According to the timetable, (this one (http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Train-times-and-tickets/Train-times/~/media/PDF/Timetable%20Changes/GWTT12.pdf) ;)) the 0643 and 0708 are also HSTs.

Unfortunately Jo, there's just been a report on Twitter that it's a Turbo rather than HST *again* this morning...

Thanks Phil.. I noticed that too.. I'm hoping to get a refund on the 1st class portion of my ticket... Although I think anyone travelling at that time of the morning during the last week deserves compensation regardless of class of ticket..

Meanwhile it looks like I'm going to miss my first meeting of the day.. again...

Really think that FGW should be prosecuted for Trading Standards - how they can sell "First Class" tickets when the service is far from First Class I just don't know.  I was on 08:04 during the week when it was 3-carriages and so standing room only. 

This morning's, slightly delayed, 07:08 from Maidenhead was standing room only in both First and Standard class.  Unusually there was nobody checking tickets so I couldn't even ask about how to obtain a refund.  Always intregued how it is that there's no ticket inspector/train manager/whatever the name is when I'm looking for a refund.

Thank you.. sorry I didn't notice your post before now..None are really good replacements for the 8am as they are so much earlier and FGW only tend to post things about train problems about 6.15am anyway.. which isn't always enough time..

The 8.04 is always 3 carriages and always full when it arrives at Maidenhead so doesn't serve Maidenhead commuters at all..so it being standing room only is no surprise.. I guess you might mean the 8am which should be an 8 car HST (and maybe it will be tomorrow.. who knows.. FGW I imagine)..

And ticket inspector? I see them so rarely these days I have forgotten what they do....So I am surprised that you say "unusually".. perhaps they are all on the 7.08 and not on any other train ;D ::)

Also.. How on EARTH have they managed to put the Maidenhead train times on the Marlow branch line timetable .. No wonder I didn't find it.. I wonder who thought that was a good idea  ::) ::)

Probably got my 08:00/08:04mixed up - don't usually travel that late!

As for ticket inspectors, I'd say that more often than not my ticket is inspected on the 07:08. 

No report thus far this morning.  Still an HST shortage though - complete cancellation of 06:30 Bristol to Paddington.  Unrelated, or robbing Pierre to pay Paul?

There was actually Graham; Jo (from @FGW, not our Jo) reported on Twitter that the 0800 was to be an HST today. I rather suspect that as you say, Pierre was robbed to pay Paolo.

Sorry, what do you mean by that?

It was a continuation of GrahamE's play on words, EBrown, wherein Pierre (Peter) (aka Bristol) was "robbed" to pay Paolo (Paul) (aka Maidenhead) to ensure an HST was run in place of a turbo (aka a "train")

And of course where routes/services have staff who are trained in the two types of traction, they will inevitably be the ones who suffer as a turbo can be pulled out of the hat to cover another train that would otherwise have meant a single traction routes service would have to be cancelled.  Hence suburban London services, Oxford to Paddington and Cotswold Line trains always falling at the first hurdle. 

This will still be the case when FGW 180's can't muster up the 80% availability record to be expected of them from the summer.  I predict fairly common turbo replacements then, though luckily for Maidenhead commuters they will be unlikely to be affected.

It was in fact an HST this morning  ;D there was almost a party atmosphere when the first class passengers on the platform saw it arriving.. The last 6 days of travelling have been horrible..

However.. instead.. the 17.50 was turbotised tonight to make up for it..  ??? >:( And the next HST to Maidenhead and the only other chance of getting into first class is two hours later...

I think FGW need to sort this out.. If they're going to sell First Class tickets from stations such as Maidenhead and Twyford they need to provide a proper first class service...

Incidentally FGW have offered me a ^15 rail voucher for the difference between standard and first class for 5 days (although I do need to point out it was actually 6 days) one way.. and now seven including today

Indeed, Jo - just to emphasize the point, from FGW JourneyCheck:


 >:(

I really should have checked JourneyCheck before I left work but completely forgot.. Otherwise I'd have stayed later.. As it was I thought I'd have a nice comfortable and early journey home (ha ha ha ha) and do some more work here this evening.. Aah well it was half true.. I am working now.. ::)

And again today.. Both the 8am from Maidenhead and the 17.50 from Paddington were turbos today.. I know it's sadly because of the fatality yesterday but why is it always Maidenhead lose their train? Yet again FGW have wiped out half of their first class seats for Maidenhead passengers for today.. And I can imagine it won't just be today..

My journey in this morning was awful.. I got the 7.45am as I knew the 8am would be horrendous.. By the time we got to Paddington even First Class was full and standing to the point no one else could get in.. I very nearly got off the train at one point it was so horrible..

FGW really need to run a proper train service or not charge as much.. I don't mind which.. >:(

Could have been worse.  The 17:36 Paddington to Oxford (via Maidenhead) was a 2-car Turbo vice 5-car!  In actual fact the three that were missing were used to form the 17:50 you mention.  This was a very short notice alteration as a result of signalling problems near Reading causing some heavy delays on arriving HST's.

Indeed so. I managed to catch the 17:22 out of Paddington back to Worcester and we were very slow from Twyford (? - it was dark) to Reading. Back into Shrub Hill some 21 minutes late. Our TM apologised for what he was describing as "multiple track circuit failures".

On the 06:53 Turbo from Twyford (07:03 from Maidenhead platform 4) this morning there was actually a full ticket check after Maidenhead, the first I can remember for many months, and I saw at least 8 or 9 people being ejected from FC. However Standard was was already full and standing so the standing passengers had to shuffle down the aisle to accomodate them! In the last few days this train has been rather busier than usual from Maidenhead and I've noticed that the crowd usually present over on platform 2 waiting for the 07:08 HST has been absent. I'm guessing that particular train is currently suffering a daily series of delays on its journey from Worcester?

Not sure about other days, but today the leading powercar on that service was suffering engine problems and could not achieve more than 90mph!

I travelled into London with a friend a couple of Fridays ago from Maidenhead. She travels with SWT usually.. When we got back home she commented that the only time she had actually needed her travelcard was on a London bus..(barrier at Maidenhead open, no ticket check (whatever that is?) on the train, no barrier at Paddington, ditto in reverse).. I didn't dare tell her that this is the norm in FGW land.. ::)

They were up to their usual tricks again this evening.. 17.50 out of Paddington was a 3 car turbo instead of the usual HST. No sign of this on Journey Check or I'd have not bothered leaving work early...I also checked when I got home and it still hadn't made it onto Journey check and it didn't arrive at Worcester Shrub Hill until approx 8pm!!

They made it so much more fun though by putting the train at the front of platform 8.. When everyone got there (there was a lot of running to get there as people knew what it would be like) there were two trains which were in the process of being attached to each other.. and another train behind which was all closed up.. A lot of people got in the back three coaches of the two trains as the doors were still locked in the front three.. I decided to hold out for the front three as  I guessed the back three weren't going anywhere until we did.. Eventually we were allowed on the front of the train.. As it was starting to fill up they kicked everyone out the back three carriages which were no longer coming with us.. It made for a very full train and some unhappy people who thought they'd got seats in the back part of the train but in fact hadn't... Thanks for a great start to the weekend FGW  >:(