Great Western Coffee Shop

Journey by Journey => Heart of Wessex => Topic started by: Conner on March 01, 2008, 16:53:54



Title: Travelling on the Heart of Wessex
Post by: Conner on March 01, 2008, 16:53:54
My family have recently booked a holiday in Weymouth and I am looking at travelling by train from Camborne.
The price is good but would like some info on the service.
Is it reliable?
Is it busy?
What type of train forms services?
I was looking at travelling on the 12:44 from Castle Cary-Weymouth on the way their on a Monday and 15:11 Weymouth-Castle Cary on the way back on a Friday.
Any help greatly apreciated.


Title: Re: Travelling on the Heart of Wessex
Post by: Timmer on March 01, 2008, 17:44:25
Reliable as any FGW service.
Can be if the sun is shining, especially summer saturdays/sundays and school summer holidays. Even when FGW add extra carriages it can still be rammed. Very quiet during the winter months.
Been a mixture of 150s and 158s over the past couple of years but expect this to change once the Cardiff-Portsmouth goes 3-car with the service reverting to pretty much 150s during the week with 153s/158s bolstering services at weekends.


Title: Re: Travelling on the Heart of Wessex
Post by: devon_metro on March 01, 2008, 17:44:49
Booked 150 probably although in summer season they might throw in a 158.

When ever I travel on halts trains during the day they are never busy and have had Ex FC on TPEx to myself to Weymouth before.

A warning about Friday 1505 Paddington - Penzance - it gets VERY busy!!


Title: Re: Travelling on the Heart of Wessex
Post by: Jim on March 01, 2008, 18:03:38
Booked 150 probably although in summer season they might throw in a 158.

When ever I travel on halts trains during the day they are never busy and have had Ex FC on TPEx to myself to Weymouth before.

A warning about Friday 1505 Paddington - Penzance - it gets VERY busy!!

That one is booked 150. The 16.10 and 18.10 from Cary are booked 158 though.


Title: Re: Travelling on the Heart of Wessex
Post by: Conner on March 01, 2008, 18:24:47
It will be in March and on FirstMinuteFares so I will have a resrvation so not worried about how busy the 15:05 is as I will have a seat. 150 will be fine, would have been nice as a 158, good it isn't 153.
It is also interesting you can reserve seats on HOW, Do they put them out?
But FGW being FGW, who knows what will happen.
The 5:31 BTM-Penzance(150) and 6:47 BTM-Penzance(158) are often swapped round so could happen.
Talking of 150's I managed to get on 150261, refurbished, today, very nice inside, but seats seem to be slightly less comfortable now. Looks brillaint though.


Title: Re: Travelling on the Heart of Wessex
Post by: Conner on March 03, 2008, 17:05:25
Just booked it up.
Same trains a s I said in Original Post, looks good.
Never travelled on the HOW before so i am looking forward to it.
Used NXEC to book it and must say their booking system is amazing. Definatly reccomended. Got FirstMinuteFares and reservations on all trains- how good are they at putting them out on HOW trains? Or is it sit anywhere?


Title: Re: Travelling on the Heart of Wessex
Post by: Jim on March 03, 2008, 17:52:47
Just booked it up.
Same trains a s I said in Original Post, looks good.
Never travelled on the HOW before so i am looking forward to it.
Used NXEC to book it and must say their booking system is amazing. Definatly reccomended. Got FirstMinuteFares and reservations on all trains- how good are they at putting them out on HOW trains? Or is it sit anywhere?

Sit anywhere.


Title: Re: Travelling on the Heart of Wessex
Post by: Conner on March 03, 2008, 22:07:03
Just booked it up.
Same trains a s I said in Original Post, looks good.
Never travelled on the HOW before so i am looking forward to it.
Used NXEC to book it and must say their booking system is amazing. Definatly reccomended. Got FirstMinuteFares and reservations on all trains- how good are they at putting them out on HOW trains? Or is it sit anywhere?

Sit anywhere.
Would have tried to nab a table anyway- especially on return. But if it is packed(which is unlikely as Cornwall are about the only place on School Holiday) i'll make sure I get my seat.



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