Great Western Coffee Shop

What was Thames Trains like?

Were they better than FGW/FGWLink?

What about journey times?

You would hate them. :D
They operated services on the Cotswold line reguarly and the only stock they had were Thames Turbo's.

Hmmmmmm- I knew those. :D

Yes- maybe I would hate them. ;)

NB- on my latest poll- I voted for Thames Turbos on the commuter/local poll (What? you all say- :o)!

It is only when FGW put a Thames Turbo on a long journey (except the "halts" train where short platforms are a'common!) that I hate them.

Thames Trains weren't much cop, neither were First Great Western Link and come to that neither are FGW on these routes. The common denominator on all three of these franchises...165/166 Turbos! 150s are better and I don't mind travelling on a 150 on a fairly long distance journey, though much prefer a 158.

To be fair, Thames Turbos are faster and wider than 150s!

(never thought I'd be defending a Thames Turbo!)

Always a first time for everything  ;)

OK, so when I started commuting on the Cotswold Line, Thames trains operated only turbos, and FGW operated a couple of HSTs from Hereford in the morning and evening.

But if a train was going to be late it was almost always the HSTs, the Thames Turbos werent much cop for a comfortable ride but they were generally on time.

Also the station customer information screens worked and showed useful information.

Thames trains weren't amazing, but deffinitely a slight step-up in punctuality compared to FGW.  There certainly weren't half as many cancellations as there are now.

I travelled on Thames trains from 1992 until FGW took over the Franchise and now travel FGW (Maidenhead to Paddington daily).

Thames trains' punctuality used to be outstanding.. until the Heathrow express was introduced.. Since this is the MOST important train to the West of London, it did hamper punctuality somewhat..

However, my experience is that punctuality and reliabilty have gone down considerably since FGW took over.

Thames Trains had a dire safety record though.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/dec/10/ladbrokegrove.transport

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/771303.stm

Personally from a safety point of view, I am very glad First Group are in charge.

I agree there, First Group are renowed for there excellent safety standards.

Yes I agree too.. Safety is the most important thing..

However, I'd quite like to get to work on time (safely) occasionally too...

I Suggest everyone reads the two news links in this thread.....and remembers this would never happen under FGW

Ladbroke Grove the accident that should never have happened.

Why weren't points 5059 set for the Down Relief?

SPADS in themselves aren't a problem as the train usually stops. It's when the driver is not aware they've SPAD (Harrow). It was called train running away i.e out of control of the signalman. In block signalling there are two code one for running away right line i.e. in direction of travel which could lead to a rear end collision. The second wrong line which leads to a head on collision. One of the rules for dealing with a wrong line incident is that the signalman should endevour to get the train back on the right line.

At Ladbroke Grove the route was set Line 3 UP main for down train. So in effect the Turbo was running away wrong line.

The tradgedy is that there was a dress rehersal 18 months or so earlier when a Down  HST which SPAD 109 and Up Heathrow Express were stopped a few hundred yards apart facing each other on the same line.

It was also the 9th SPAD at SN109. In my days at Waterloo filing SPAD reports, ASLEF would be banging on my govenors door after any SPAD at any signal demanding a sighting committee as it couldn't be the driver's fault. In fact it didn't even need a SPAD for them demand a sighting committee. We were having a lot of trouble with the then new sodium (yellow) streeet lights being erected on overbridges and close to line and being brighter than an oil lamp confusing the driver. The usual answer was a shield behind the light facing the railway to cut out the light.

I don't know what they would have done if there had been multiple SPADS at the same signal. Probaly instructed their drivers to approach it at 5 mph even if clear.

One of the little know post Ladbroke Grove actions is to make 5059 lie for the Down Relief if Down train comes down Line 3. Doors and stables.

 

 

Ladbroke grove could have been much worse as the HST was only doing 75mph and the linespeed used to be 100mph (now 50) so don't moan that journey times are slower!!