Great Western Coffee Shop

Advance tickets are now available up to 24th December on the FGW website.  So you can book the outward leg of your Christmas getaway at least!

My outward (24th) and return (27th) legs to Taunton are already booked. Outward, CrossCountry 1st Advance from Bristol on the 1115 was cheaper (^5.30 railcard) than a FGW Standard Advance on the 1147 (^6.60).

On the return, CrossCountry have already released their Advance Purchase for the 27th and I've bagged another ^5.30 1st Advance. This year I'm returning late evening. Last year I booked a XC 1st Advance leaving Taunton at 1511 and had no seat after giving it up to an elderly lady who had a walk-up 1st Class ticket but no seat reservation.

Hopefully I won't have a repeat of this, at and from Taunton on the 27th:

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/100_1418_zpsea809513.jpg)
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/100_1419_zps1d41aa05.jpg)

It will be most interesting to see how Taunton copes, and whether it's megabusy or megaquiet, during the closure of Whiteball tunnel which was mentioned in open session at TravelWatch South West.

Well it was mega busy last December 27th, when there was also a line closure between Tiverton Parkway and Taunton.

As I understand it services will be diverted via Yeovil.  Was it mentioned what sort of service Taunton will get?  I assume services from London to the West Country would be diverted after Castle Cary leaving Taunton with a rather thin service.

What exactly is happening at Whiteball Tunnel?

Journey Planners show through FGW and XC services operating between 27th Dec 2013 and 1st Jan 2014.

I am trying to find where I read it, but it is late January/early February I think.

There certainly are weekend diversions via Yeovil planned for early next year, but I'm not 100% sure of which weekends.

"Essential Engineering Work" needs to be done, but as Southern Stag follows up to comment, it's in early 2014 and not over Christmas.   At TWSW, there was concern expressed at closing the main line throughout the works and questions about the period, phasing and timing.  I look forward to reading more about it (and probably in a separate thread!) as there's postable information available.

Not apparent in my second picture posted above, but there were other 1st Class ticket holders stood behind me, including another elderly person who it seemed was in some discomfort by standing.

Now, despite appearances, I was brought up and not dragged up, so will always give up my seat to someone I deem worthy by dint of age or infirmity, when no other seats are available. The same can not be said for the young chap with headphones. He resolutely stared out the window and stayed put.  ::)

Can. Worms. Tin opener.....