Great Western Coffee Shop

To handle the growing TransWilts traffic, the single car 153 unit that's running most services at present is due to be replaced by something with a bit more "Oomph" ...

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/twrtrainyellow.jpg)

OK - it's photoshopped.   Plans are to replace the 153 with 2 car 158s in May of next year - although we're already seeing some of the trains that have normally been "153" operated a little longer.   Service was run by a 158 between Christmas and the new year, and again yesterday.  Probably a sensible move with Swindon Town at home and the 17:36 typically overloading on match days.

I notice that the amended service just after Easter due to the work between Bath and Bristol gives what could arguably be considered a more attractive service.  e.g. evening departures from Swindon hourly from 1720 to 2020.

Indeed ...

The service last August was a similar one and even within the space of a month gained considerable new traffic within the Swindon to Westbury section.   My 'postbag' in early September was notable in that included a number of complaints about the removal of what was a service that people had found and started to use during the month, and they were 'gobsmacked' that a pretty busy train had been withdrawn.

I don't expect the same level of issues when it ceases this time.   For starters, it's 'just' a week and two weekends of changes.  And secondly. last time First Bus / Wiltshire Council withdrew all Chippenham - Melksham - Trowbridge buses after 17:30 from 2nd August, advising people to use the train instead.  First bus tell me that the date was a co-incidence; Wiltshire Council tell me that First Bus offered a later evening service (but not the popular 18:30 off Chippenham) but at a price that the council did not want to pay.   Although there is typically significant public consultation on changes / amendments to subsidised buses, Wiltshire Council "got away without it" (as they said to me!) in this case.

Fair enough: otherwise, I was very close to posting it in our 'outrageous use of (rolling) stock pictures' topic. ;D