Great Western Coffee Shop

Well, that was one of the most frustrating traveling experiences to date.  It started with me missing the bus to the station by a minute.  I ended up calling a taxi as I couldn't wait for the next bus.  Got to Swindon, just as a train  to London (08.11) pulled out.  Nevermind, I thought, I've got plenty of time to spare. Whilst waiting at Swindon, the train on platform 4 had failed, and trains heading west were being diverted across to platform 3.  I guess the failed train was heading to Cardiff, as people were being told to get on and change at Bristol.  Lots of very frustrated passengers.

Anyway, my train (08.28) arrived 5 late, jumped on and settled in.  About 10minutes outside Swindon, we came to a quick and juddering halt.  Uh-ohh, and there we sat...and sat.  According to the conductor, the rear power car had failed, and the driver was having to walk back through the train to try and "fire it up".  Still we sat until it was announced that maintainence engineers were on their way, and we should be off in a moment.  We sat.  By this time, trains behind us were diverted onto the other track and were running through.  Eventually, another HST pulled up alongside us, to let said engineers get off.  Conductor said one was working in the rear power car, t'other was in the front one.  After a further 20 minutes or so (time was just slipping by) we finally set off at a trundle.

We finally arrived at Didcot, just under 2 hours late.  I'd missed my client meeting by this stage and decided to head back home. Crossed over the platform at Didcot to be told that the next train heading west (Cardiff Central) had been cancelled.  I couldn't even tell you what time we got back into Swindon as I was seeing everyting through a red mist.

Anyway, can anyone with inside knowledge shed any light on the reason for the failure and such a long delay?  I assumed it must have been something more serious as I know that HST's can run on one power car.  For us to stop at that rate, and then be stuck for such a long time, it must have been something considerable.  Also, with the other failed train at Swindon this morning, are the HST's struggling for reliability or was this just bad luck?

Ohhh one other thing, I have a season ticket from Swindon-Guildford, but for the purpose of this meeting, I'd bought an extension from Reading - Watford Jnct (for t'was where the meeting was).  Am I able to claim compensation for the Reading-Watford ticket, or as I expect, is this not covered as the delay was experienced on the bit covered by my season ticket?

In all events, I had best have a vat of wine before Mrs comes home or else Valentines dinner will consist of 'sort it yourself pie'

You didn't make the journey that you paid for, so I believe you can claim a refund regardless of delays.

Not a good morning as you say.  Though with that route being fitted with SIMBIDS (SIMplified BI-Directional Signalling - one for the Acronyms/Abbreviations page?) it could have been a lot worse for other services.


The E70 (the brake control unit) in the rear cab failed meaning the brake was stuck on in the rear cab.  Eventually that had to be isolated in the back power car (along with the ATP system) in order for the train to continue.

Full Bi Directional signalling on that section chief, SIMBIDS (No AWS in wrong direction, AWS for right direction signals not suppressed) is the system in use between Thingley Jn and Bristol East Jn....

Thanks for the clarification, sir.  An elementary mistake on my part!   :o

Just out of interest, could the driver not have isolated the E70 and ATP, without the need for travelling fitter and 2 hour delay?