Great Western Coffee Shop

Out via Salisbury to Clapham Junction with SWR. All the rolling stock was still externally liveried South West trains.
Then Southern to Brighton in 50 minutes. Fast, smooth, seats lined up with windows but seats lacked cushioning.
Return journey,what a contrast ..four very elderly 150s  refurbed in GWR livery and old that wheezed groaned, shook and rattled with frequent sudden stops because the scrolling display was reporting damage to the third rail !! I found the internal lighting far too bright and had a headache less than a hour into the journey At just under 4 hours later we staggered into Temple Meads where I fully expected the stock to expire like Lion at the end of Titfield thunderbolt.

Usually a three car 158 but 150s are frequent visitors on the Brighton line.

Interesting about the error on the scrolling 150 display. 150202 ontuesday was apologising for delays on this service but was bang on time throughout.

TheSWR 159s I used on Tuesday had zero reference to First group, and little mention of SWR, still beingSWT everywhere

I certainly agree with your assessment of the two journeys. I make the trip from Bath down to the Sussex coast quite often and can't say I ever enjoy it (apart from views down as far as Romsey). I'm normally heading for either Shoreham or Worthing, and was wondering whether the standard off peak return fare from Bath allows for journeys via Clapham Junction. I can't work it out from the NR site, so wondered if anyone can confirm if so.

Bath Spa to Worthing has three routeings for fares purposes. Super Off Peak Return/Off Peak Return prices in brackets:

+Any Permitted: Allowing travel via Salisbury, Slough, Clapham Junction, London (including a cross London transfer by Underground). (£68.80/£92.20)
Not via London: Allowing travel via Salisbury, Reading, Clapham Junction. (£70.40/£93.80)
Via Salisbury: Travel via Salisbury only. (£48.40 Off Peak Return, no Super Off Peak Return)

I have absolutely no idea why the Not via London fares are more expensive than the +Any Permitted. It makes no sense whatsoever to have a more restrictive routeing being more expensive. Especially when all the fares on these routes are set by the same operator - GWR. All this does is trap the unwary and benefit the train companies. I say that is morally wrong. Of course others will say it's caveat emptor, and that it's only technically wrong to overcharge.

If you want to travel from Bath to Worthing via Clapham Junction then, in this instance, specifically ask for/choose the +Any Permitted fares. If you don't there's a real risk you'll be sold the Not via London fare, which has the only additional benefit of enriching the train operators.

Bath Spa to Shoreham has only the +Any Permitted (same prices as above), and Via Salisbury (£50.50 Off Peak Return) routeings. No superfluous Not via London fares.

Many thanks.