Great Western Coffee Shop

Last weekend, 2 rakes of 67s and Mk2s operated the Bristol-Bath-Chippenham shuttle service whilst engineering work took place west of Swindon. They even had two first class coaches on both sets which were made up of ex Anglia and Virgin stock.

Anyone know why FGW hired in these sets rather than use their own HSTs and crew? Can't be cheaper surely?

Well, they are allready tight on HST's, the 67's come suplied with crew (I think). Sunday was buses, but to my knowledge there was no additional work!

Apparently they used HST's the week before but it all went terribly wrong.

How on earth did they manage that?

The 67s and Mk2s seemed to manage just fine last weekend. This leads me to ask if Riviera can organise this service for last weekend's engineering work then surely this stock could be used as an act of goodwill by FGW to bolster peak time services around Bristol whilst stock is away for refurb.

Didn't FGW propose this, but Notwork Rail canned the idea?

For Taunton > cardiff Yes.

It was all go for First, but network rail canned it...

With the service Network Rail provide FGW and therefore the passengers, Network Rail should be a little more helpful in allowing FGW to operate Loco and coaches services where there is a need.

Is there actually any confirmation that NR canned the idea?

If NR canned it - then there would have had to be some issue with clearances of track wear.

Quote from the Western Daily Press (15/12/2007, link below) :
http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2007/12/ministers_have_to_end_commuter.html#more

There are plenty of Mk2 coaches out there sitting in sidings that could be put to good use. FGW even used to have a small fleet of them. So don't believe all this talk of there not being any stock available. It may not be as practical or as cheap as operating DMUs but it can solve overcrowding problems as you can make a loco hauled set as long or as short as is required.

I do think though that they need to come up with enabling loco hauled sets to operate with a DVT at one end rather than having two locos on each rake. This would cut down on wear and tear on the tracks and cut costs of having to hire two locos.