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Title: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Timmer on April 16, 2007, 22:12:21 I see from the Oldfield Park blog that things didnt go too well for local commuters in the Bath area this morning and one of my colleagues was late for work as a result.
http://oldfieldparktrains.blogspot.com/ Anyone know why the 6.47 ex Frome got cancelled? Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: whistleblower on April 16, 2007, 23:14:15 Anyone know why the 6.47 ex Frome got cancelled? It was a train failure. It got as far as Bradford-on-Avon and the service was terminated there. I'm afraid I don't know the specific technical reason.Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: tramway on April 17, 2007, 11:41:13 Brakes was the announcement on the train, as told by a colleague who was there. Although with 143's it's normally the doors until they get a good kicking.
We sat outside Bradford a good 10-15 mins waiting for it to clear, so things were obviously quite busy by the time we hit Bath. This train should have been Filton only but finally became the Cardiff train, so full and standing and much confusion at BTM. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: whistleblower on April 17, 2007, 13:41:35 Brakes was the announcement on the train, as told by a colleague who was there. Although with 143's it's normally the doors until they get a good kicking. Bloody 143s. I hate them. It was probably the doors affecting the brakes. There is a safety device that involves microswitches on the doors. If the switches do not connect positively the brakes will come on. It's to prevent the train moving with an open door. If you have got a dodgy switch it could put the brakes on every time you go over a big bump. Two 143s coupled together compound the problem and often each train is OK on its own.Trouble is the 143 doors rattle about so much and the switches get dirt in them and you just don't know which one is causing the problem. Hence you try opening and closing them a couple of times and then the driver tries for brake release but if it still doesn't work you check that nobody's pulled an emergency handle then you go and kick the doors. Not necessarily in that order. After that, the only way to move the train is to isolate the safety device, but unfortunately you can't carry passengers in that situation as a door could conceivbly come open while the train is moving. So that's why you may be asked to leave the train and you then see it drive away quite happily with nobody on it. It's off to the depot to have it's doors kicked by a trained fitter. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Timmer on April 17, 2007, 18:32:49 Until 143s are replaced sadly we will continue to see this happen. They were never designed for heavy commuter usage and are long overdue for replacement but they are cheap and thats why they still run on our rails. Its relief for Portsmouth and Weymouth passengers that FGW cant run them to these destinations because they are banned from Sounthern metals but long suffering Bristol commuters/rail staff have to put up with them everyday.
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: tramway on April 18, 2007, 16:50:23 Happened again this morning, but this time the stock was working the 0723 Warminster - Cardiff. A big jolt going round the junction outside Bath and we came to a grinding halt. (I assume it was the same set from Monday that hadn't had the fault fixed properly). We finally rolled into Bath about 15-20 min late which impressed TonyA no end. We were all entertained a little watching a slow waste metal freight go through. (anyone know if that was from Westbury or London) We then looked forward to the following train to be made up of 2 coaches, but were a tad disappointed when it turned up as a 2 x 158 and we could all get on. Now full and standing with Oldfield and Keynsham to come, some left at Keynsham, finally arrived Filton approx 50 min late.
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Timmer on April 18, 2007, 17:54:58 When the FGW franchise was let it was announced that there would be NO new rolling stock during the life of the franchise. Surely the Dft dont expect these life expired 143s to last another 8 years in service or are they hoping the ROSCOS will come up with a new cheap alternative?
Why is Northern allowed to have our 158s so they can lay off their 142s? It just dont make sense! Like I said in an earlier post above, breakdowns will continue with these units until they are replaced. Train managers, drivers and maintanance staff must hate them more than the passengers! Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Jim on April 18, 2007, 22:08:22 Bloody 143s. I hate them. It was probably the doors affecting the brakes. There is a safety device that involves microswitches on the doors. If the switches do not connect positively the brakes will come on. It's to prevent the train moving with an open door. If you have got a dodgy switch it could put the brakes on every time you go over a big bump. Two 143s coupled together compound the problem and often each train is OK on its own. Trouble is the 143 doors rattle about so much and the switches get dirt in them and you just don't know which one is causing the problem. Hence you try opening and closing them a couple of times and then the driver tries for brake release but if it still doesn't work you check that nobody's pulled an emergency handle then you go and kick the doors. Not necessarily in that order. After that, the only way to move the train is to isolate the safety device, but unfortunately you can't carry passengers in that situation as a door could conceivbly come open while the train is moving. So that's why you may be asked to leave the train and you then see it drive away quite happily with nobody on it. It's off to the depot to have it's doors kicked by a trained fitter. Sounds about right, had that problem once at Filton, the brakes came off though, but he could not take power. After last time I suggested something (when on the last train back one night) when the driver was puzzeled over something and getting a mouthfull back from him I don't give out advice like that anymore, even if the traincrew have not thought of it, it was not worth the hassle, but I won't go in to it here Also on the 1627 from Filton 1 day, we had a nice emergancy brake application twice going each side of Bristol Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Lee on August 14, 2007, 11:37:41 A social evening is being held by a community group set up to improve Oldfield Park station (link below.)
http://thisisbath.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=163490&command=displayContent&sourceNode=163316&contentPK=18104592&folderPk=89126&pNodeId=163047 On Board founder June Player is inviting members and anyone interested in getting involved to the evening at her home in Ayr Street on Friday , September 7 2007. For more information call her on 01225 341904. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Lee on September 26, 2007, 15:46:21 A transport pressure group has called for CCTV to be installed and disabled access improved at two busy commuter railway stations in the Bath area.The Campaign for Better Transport - which until earlier this month was called Transport 2000 - this week published research highlighting problems with run-down stations across the country , along with examples of places where train companies and local councils had worked together to improve them (link below.)
http://thisisbath.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=163490&command=displayContent&sourceNode=163316&contentPK=18487945&folderPk=89126&pNodeId=163047 David Redgewell , the campaign's local spokesman , said that while much needed improvements were being made at Bath Spa Railway Station , action was also needed to make Oldfield Park and Keynsham stations safer and easier to use. He wants to see CCTV cameras installed at both and work to installed ramp access to the platform at Keynsham speeded up. He acknowledged that physical improvements had been made to Oldfield Park station by voluntary group On Board and First Great Western. But he said more still needed to be done to encourage people to swap their cars for trains. For information on the Campaign for Better Transport visit www.bettertransport.org.uk Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Graz on September 28, 2007, 23:39:44 Well, people won't swap cars for trains if they feel intimidated, so they must remove the barrage of offputting Penalty Fares posters (1 is fine per platform, but I saw 3 the other day just on one platform!). I think CCTV would be very welcome too. But the main issue is tickets- I cannot honestly see many people wanting to use the station if they have to buy tickets from those awful machines ... :-X Ticket offices at both stations should be open from 6am till at least 2pm.
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Lee on October 15, 2007, 17:34:30 Details contained in the link below.
http://oldfieldparktrains.blogspot.com/2007/10/monday-15th-october.html Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Timmer on October 15, 2007, 18:13:36 Gosh a post on the Oldfield Park Blog! I gave up checking months ago so obviously things have been going so well there was nothing to post ;) I doubt that.
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Timmer on December 03, 2007, 19:36:50 The Oldfield Park blog has fired up again reporting on a challening journey home this evening as well as the publicity being handed out by FGW regarding services from next week. Just in time for next week's TT change me thinks.
http://oldfieldparktrains.blogspot.com/ Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Timmer on December 04, 2007, 18:01:16 http://oldfieldparktrains.blogspot.com/
Another bad morning's commute for John and his fellow Oldfield Park commuters. At least there was a FGW 'service delivery manager' at Oldfield Park this morning and would have left in no doubt about the current feeling among Bath-Bristol commuters in case FGW weren't already aware of the depth of feeling. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Lee on December 19, 2007, 11:23:10 Latest Oldfield Park Train Blog post (link below.)
http://oldfieldparktrains.blogspot.com/2007/12/19th-december.html Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Timmer on December 19, 2007, 11:29:44 Latest Oldfield Park Train Blog post (link below.) As the report states, this was the train that was the main focus of all the trouble last December/January. Compared to last year however is that the SWT service, which runs about 5-6 minutes behind it, is now a three car 159 whereas last December/Jan it was a two car 158. I suspect many prefer to travel on this service anyway because the stock is much nicer.http://oldfieldparktrains.blogspot.com/2007/12/19th-december.html Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Lee on December 21, 2007, 15:00:52 The latest blog post is regarding a short-formed 1707 from Bristol (20/12/2007, link below.)
http://oldfieldparktrains.blogspot.com/2007/12/20th-december.html Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Lee on January 19, 2008, 11:57:20 Latest Oldfield Park Blog post (link below.)
http://oldfieldparktrains.blogspot.com/2008/01/friday-18th-january-back-to-reality.html Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Lee on February 14, 2008, 23:23:00 Quote from the link below :
http://oldfieldparktrains.blogspot.com/2008/02/get-closer-on-valentines-day.html Quote Perhaps First Great Western were in a romantic mood today, and the shortforming of the 0731 from Oldfield Park and the 1707 back were a deliberate attempt to get people closer? Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Lee on April 03, 2008, 15:35:36 The On Board project has made good progress (link below.)
http://thisisbath.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=163490&command=displayContent&sourceNode=163316&contentPK=20301082&folderPk=89126&pNodeId=163047 Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Graz on April 03, 2008, 16:13:21 They've certainly made a big difference, the embankment is tidy with lovely flower displays, the stone display looks very nice and they have helped make the station a nice place to wait. Now all the shelters, lampposts and signs have been painted it especially looks good.
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: RichardB on April 03, 2008, 22:33:11 Nice to see this at Oldfield Park. I have a very soft spot for that station as I used to live around the corner, in Lower Bristol Road, when I was a very young Travel Centre Manager for BR at Bath.
I thought locals believed the station was shut (it was very quiet then) and started the Friends of Oldfield Park to get more publicity for the station. This kicked off in 1988 and led nicely into the 60th anniversary of the station's opening which we celebrated with an exhibition in the adjacent church hall in February 1989. The Mayor of Bath opened the exhibition, travelling by train from Bath Spa. On the actual anniversary (18th), me and some friends handed out birthday cake to commuters. I hope and am sure the 80th will be celebrated in great style by "On Board" and the Severnside CRP. Oldfield Park got me into what we now know as community rail..... Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Timmer on April 04, 2008, 07:29:40 Nice to see this at Oldfield Park. I have a very soft spot for that station as I used to live around the corner, in Lower Bristol Road, when I was a very young Travel Centre Manager for BR at Bath. I remember that day at the church hall well Richard. I was one of those fortunate to have won a competition to design a birthday card for Oldfield Park station. It has been great over the years to see the station go from strength to strength since 1988 with services now every hour in each direction throughout the day. I think you should be proud of what you started with starting Friends of Oldfield Park as the station is doing very well.I thought locals believed the station was shut (it was very quiet then) and started the Friends of Oldfield Park to get more publicity for the station. This kicked off in 1988 and led nicely into the 60th anniversary of the station's opening which we celebrated with an exhibition in the adjacent church hall in February 1989. The Mayor of Bath opened the exhibition, travelling by train from Bath Spa. On the actual anniversary (18th), me and some friends handed out birthday cake to commuters. I hope and am sure the 80th will be celebrated in great style by "On Board" and the Severnside CRP. Oldfield Park got me into what we now know as community rail..... Sadly I wish I could say the same about the Bath Spa travel centre that you used to manage. It no longer exists and has been replaced by a draughty, dark and very unwelcoming ticket hall. The travel centre was always a busy and well used place, but towards the end it wasn't well staffed with often only one person operating the whole travel centre which led to long queues. It seems to have been a plan by the TOCs, not just FGW, to close what remaining travel centres exist which is sad. I know that SWT are planning to close their remaining travel centres...they may have already done so as I write this. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: RichardB on April 10, 2008, 22:37:56 Hi Timmer,
Given how long ago it was and that probably 300 or so people came to the exhibition on the Saturday, I didn't expect to find anyone else who was there here at the Coffee Shop. I hope that what we did in the Friends helped kick things off back in 88/89 - as you say, it is great to see how the station and its services have been developed over the years. Some of my work survives at the station even now - me and a guy called Bob Bunyar planted a load of daffodil bulbs. I thought you and others might be interested to see these press cuttings I dug out of Bath Library for the 60th. At that time, the opening date seemed to have been forgotten (a book I had said only "February 1929") so here is a microfilm printout from the Bath Chronicle of the GWR advert for the station opening on 18th and the press report afterwards (click to enlarge). (http://img44.imagevenue.com/loc1128/th_62315_Oldfield_Park_advert.jpg_122_1128lo.jpg) (http://img44.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=62315_Oldfield_Park_advert.jpg_122_1128lo.jpg) (http://img46.imagevenue.com/loc825/th_62321_Oldfield_Park_opening_press.jpg_122_825lo.jpg) (http://img46.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=62321_Oldfield_Park_opening_press.jpg_122_825lo.jpg) It's a pity about the Travel Centre. I haven't been there since last year's changes. InterCity were beginning the abolition of travel centres when I was at Bath - Reading was the first. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Timmer on April 28, 2008, 15:02:23 Hi Richard,
Apologies for not replying sooner to your above post as I have been away these past couple of weeks. I remember the exhibition day very well and recall the weather not been very kind that day for the mayor's visit to the station and the exhibition but it was still a special occasion which I will always remember. You will be delighted to know that the daffodils you planted still make an appearance every spring to brighten the place up. FGW have recently repainted the waiting shelters, ticket booth and lamposts so the station looks very smart. Extra information boards have also been introduced including one for community notices so there is plenty to read when waiting for your train! Thanks for posting up the press cuttings which make interesting reading as to the time when the station opened. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: RichardB on May 02, 2008, 15:12:02 http://www.ukstation.com/west-country/oldfield-park-station.htm
Umm! Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Graz on May 02, 2008, 19:07:58 Quote ...is the principle rail access point for the Barnes area of the beautiful Roman city of Bath... Not being funny or anything, but after 23 years of living in Bath I've never heard of an area called 'Barnes'! Oldfield Park serves Twerton, Weston, Newbridge, Southdown, Moorland Road shops...and of course, Oldfield Park! It's also very good for access to the Bristol and Bath Railway Path- just a very short cycle to the River Avon access point at the east of Twerton and a little further to the start of the path itself in Newbridge. A little known fact is it is also very good for access to the western end of Royal Victoria park- after 15 minute walk from the station you'll be at the play area / pond. I think the 10 mile quote is accurate, though... Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Graz on July 04, 2008, 10:44:36 This poster made me smile when I went down to Oldfield park for the 6:58 to Westbury this morning:
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd13/GrazzaD/posters.jpg) It's great to see a lot of community involvement in local stations like this. Big thanks to FGW, everyone involved, and of course the kids who designed those great pictures ;D Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Chris from Nailsea on July 04, 2008, 21:15:14 Oldfield Park Station has received a makeover just in time for this year's Britain in Bloom competition. And it is all thanks to a green-fingered resident.
June Player, who lives near the station, has been spending her spare time watering the flowers she has planted on the platform. Twice a day the 61-year-old packs her shopping trolley with old milk cartons filled up with water. She then pushes the trolley loaded with more than eight four-pint bottles to the station to water the flowers. June, who takes her dog for a walk past the station every day, decided to transform the station after noticing it was in need of a bit of attention. See http://thisisbath.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=163490&command=displayContent&sourceNode=163316&contentPK=21000262&folderPk=89126&pNodeId=163047 Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Lee on September 09, 2008, 21:27:59 The ticket offfice is rarely manned nowadays and the single ticket machine is inadequate, according to the blog (link below.)
http://oldfieldparktrains.blogspot.com/2008/09/ticketing-at-oldfield-park.html Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Chris from Nailsea on September 09, 2008, 23:30:27 Nailsea & Backwell: ditto. (Except we have two inadequate / defective / soggy ticket machines) ::)
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Timmer on September 10, 2008, 07:14:10 If FGW are reading this then something to look into. I too have been unable to buy a ticket at the Oldfield Park ticket machine when its pouring with rain so it would be worth installing a canopy of some description so it works more often.
Interesting to read that the Ticket booth is rarely manned these days. Its normally run by a bloke called Dave who is well known to all the regulars who use the station every workday morning. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Graz on September 10, 2008, 13:05:12 Timmer, it's been the same for me. Every day this week except today the ticket machine screen was covered in rainwater and the 'touch buttons' didn't work - rather it kept going into different ticket buying menus itself. That and whenever it rains the recess where you pick the tickets up from gets flooded with water.
Today, nice and dry but the machine was 'Out of Service'. Great news for the 100s of people using the station! And the machine alone, even when it is working, isn't good enough as so many people use the station to get to Bristol a long queue builds up. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Graz on September 20, 2008, 22:03:06 After a day in Bristol showing my bro how to get to Uni from Stapleton Road(!!), when we got back to Oldfield Park at about 8pm, there was a HST standing on P1 and crowds of people standing on Brook Road bridge over the station. People were all leaving the HST with crowds walking up the ramp out of the station and hanging around the bridge. The HST was empty. Any idea what was going on? No reports on FGW website/NR. Photo below...
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd13/GrazzaD/hst1.jpg) Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: devon_metro on September 20, 2008, 22:13:02 It was an excursion returning from Totnes
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: John R on September 20, 2008, 23:06:32 Curious. What sort of excursion? Why Totnes? Why Oldfield Park? Which railtour operator has discovered a niche market that others have obviously overlooked for years.
On the subject of railtours, I thought the Class 40 I saw storming through Nailsea tonight was rather impressive. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Graz on September 21, 2008, 10:05:04 Yes, definitely strange...I've never heard of an excursion setting off from Oldfield park before, especially seeing that people were all milling around the top of the station, none of which seemed to be leaving!
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: devon_metro on September 21, 2008, 12:25:49 First Great Western Private HST Charter
"Scouts Grand Day Out" 450 Scouts from Bath & Oldfield Park Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on September 21, 2008, 14:50:07 I didn't know that f g w did charters like this ....let's do okehampton to minehead via yeovil LOL
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: grahame on September 21, 2008, 15:19:09 I didn't know that f g w did charters like this ... It's very unusual in my experience. It was certainly something that I looked into / asked about at quite a high level last summer and was told [paraphrasing] that "it's all we can do to run the contracted services so we don't have resources - even on a Sunday - to run anything extra." It may have changed a little this year, and an organisation such as the Scouts - who are not campaigning for changes in rail service provision - may have a much easier path to getting a special laid on than "Save the Train" / MRDG / WWRUG .... Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Chris from Nailsea on September 21, 2008, 20:44:12 Thanks, Liam: you're quite right - and I was just as surprised at this as everyone else!
Quote Thanks to very generous support from First Great Western we will be travelling to Totnes on our very own high-speed train and then by coach to the park. We will be leaving Bath Spa around 9.30am and arriving back at approximately 7.30pm (exact times to be confirmed). For full details, see http://www.10thbath.org.uk/stuff/Invite%20YP.pdf Chris ;D Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: John R on September 21, 2008, 20:52:32 It would appear that FGW supported this event. Good for them, I hope they get a bit of favourable PR out of it.
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Graz on September 28, 2008, 15:53:23 I meant to post these earlier, but better late than never! Here are photos of the lovely floral displays at Oldfield Park this year taken with my trusty camera phone. Huge thanks to the great efforts to the team of volunteers who planted, looked after and watered the plants every day. They certainly brightened up the station and made it a really nice place to wait. The two displays on the platform embankments were "OLDFIELD PARK" on one side (platform 2) and a steam train the other side (platform 1), both outlined in stones and floral plants. There was also a line of plants and flowers on the approach ramp to platform 2.
Hope they brighten up your day :) (http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd13/GrazzaD/Dsc02955.jpg) (http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd13/GrazzaD/Dsc02957.jpg) (http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd13/GrazzaD/Dsc02958.jpg) (http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd13/GrazzaD/Dsc02959.jpg) (http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd13/GrazzaD/Dsc02960.jpg) (http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd13/GrazzaD/Dsc02963.jpg) (http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd13/GrazzaD/Dsc02964.jpg) (http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd13/GrazzaD/Dsc02965.jpg) Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: bemmy on September 28, 2008, 18:09:41 They're great, congratulations to all who took part.
Btw does anyone know who was responsible for the plants which appeared at Parson Street station earlier this year? I wondered if it was part of First's belated charm offensive, or the work of volunteers. As well as looking nice, they make the place feel more welcoming and cared for, and the wooden sleeper surrounds are much more comfortable to sit on than the seats in the bus shelters (except when it's wet of course!). Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Chris from Nailsea on September 28, 2008, 18:43:40 Indeed: congratulations to all involved with those excellent floral displays at Oldfield Park! :D
The flower beds at Parson Street are, I believe, due mainly to an initiative from the Severnside Community Rail Partnership (link below.) http://www.severnside-rail.org.uk/index.asp What I find particularly impressive is that they don't appear to have suffered the sort of vandalism that the old brick station shelters at Parson Street used to - suggesting that the decisions to replace those shelters with modern metal ones, and instal some flower beds, has led to a greater respect for the amenities at Parson Street! I must have a word with Keith Walton about the possibility of doing something similar at Nailsea & Backwell ... ;) Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: bemmy on September 28, 2008, 20:27:12 Yeah it no longer has that abandoned look which used to be compulsory at all minor stations. I suspect the fact that nowadays a couple of trains an hour stop, even in the evenings, and there are sometimes people waiting for trains, has also made it a less attractive place for the local youth to get up to no good.
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: John R on September 28, 2008, 21:24:53 Caught a mid-morning service last week and there was someone at Parson St who appeared to be doing a passenger count. At least, he was well dressed, didn't get on the train, didn't look like he was spotting, and seemed to record something.
Not the most exciting job, monitoring the passenger flow at Parson St, but at least it was a dry day! Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Chris from Nailsea on September 28, 2008, 21:31:30 Thanks, bemmy - I agree!
And I think the same may be true of Bedminster, too - despite my previous chip about 'passing through it at 90mph'! :P It's noticeable that Bedminster and Parson Street, which are both unmanned stations - in recent years, anyway - have apparently benefitted indirectly from improvements to the service. More trains stopping does seem to have helped to discourage some of the 'anti-social behaviour' there. And the flower beds (at Oldfield Park and Parson Street, anyway!) do make it more pleasant for those waiting on the platform for a train! Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Chris from Nailsea on July 14, 2010, 20:09:19 From the BTP press release:
Quote BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE APPEAL FOR INFORMATION AFTER DISTURBANCE FOLLOWING FRIENDLY FOOTBALL MATCH - BATH British Transport Police (BTP) officers are appealing for witnesses after a disturbance at Oldfield Park railway station in Bath. The incident took place at around 9.15pm on Thursday 8 July following a pre-season friendly football match between Bath City and Cardiff City. It was described as a violent confrontation between two groups of men which was witnessed by other passengers and members of rail staff. Inspector Andy Irwin-Porter, the officer in charge at BTP Bristol, said: ^This appeared to be a premeditated attempt to instigate violence by a group whose sole intention was to travel to Bath to confront Cardiff City fans returning home after a football match. The incident at Oldfield Park was witnessed by other passengers at the station and on board the train, including families with children. British Transport Police will not tolerate behaviour such as this anywhere on the rail network. We will do everything in our power to find those responsible and bring them to justice. ^The majority of football fans are law-abiding citizens but there are a minority who, by virtue of their behaviour, bring the game and the notion of being a supporter into disrepute. I would appeal to anyone with any information about this incident, or who knows the identity of anyone involved, to contact British Transport Police in confidence.^ Anyone with information should contact BTP on 0800 40 50 40, quoting incident number 756 of 08/07/2010, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: tramway on November 09, 2010, 08:47:34 There was an announcement by the guard last night on the 16.30 Cardiff Pompey as we left Bristol that from the next TT change the service would no longer call at Oldfield. :)
As I can't find the new TTs on FGW site I can't confirm, but as this is the only Pompey service that does stop it's been a bit of an anomaly, especially since the introduction of the 2 preceding services running from Parkway and Filton only 21 and 14 mins before. Probably the most crowded of the evening trains largely due to the number of Oldfield passengers, many of who were clearly none to pleased with the announcement. Is anyone aware if the Westbury/Warminster services will be retimed, as the Pompey will catch up with the Westbury service even earlier than it does now. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: paul7575 on November 09, 2010, 12:05:33 I'd recommend trying this:
http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/en/s/pockettimetable/search (http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/en/s/pockettimetable/search) If you enter your journey details and times for a calendar period stradling the timetable change, (say 6th to 17th of December), it will generate a comparison, with altered trains side by side marked 1 or 2. For it to be useful make sure you select 'show all calling points' in the Advanced Selections. I just made a BTM to Westbury query, there do seem to be a whole load of timing changes. HTH Paul Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: tramway on November 09, 2010, 15:57:20 Cheers Paul
Will be interesting to see how it pans out. Looks like we'll still be watching the lambs at Freshford for a few minutes in the spring. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Timmer on November 09, 2010, 18:03:21 New winter timetables should be on the FGW website this Friday if previous TT changes are anything to go by ie. exactly one month out from the TT change.
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: JayMac on November 09, 2010, 20:32:32 I'd recommend trying this: http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/en/s/pockettimetable/search (http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/en/s/pockettimetable/search) If you enter your journey details and times for a calendar period stradling the timetable change, (say 6th to 17th of December), it will generate a comparison, with altered trains side by side marked 1 or 2. For it to be useful make sure you select 'show all calling points' in the Advanced Selections. I just made a BTM to Westbury query, there do seem to be a whole load of timing changes. HTH Paul What an excellent tip, Paul! Thanks for that. I'm off to look and other minor changes across FGW land. So much easier to have the side-by-side comparison rather than cross referencing .pdfs or paper timetables. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Timmer on November 09, 2010, 21:31:45 Forgot to add earlier that I am a bit surprised that the Oldfield Park stop is being removed from the 16.30 as when I have either been on the train or seen it arrive into Oldfield Park there have always been quite a few passengers getting off here. This was quite sometime ago though. Have passenger levels for Oldfield Park on this particular train changed much recently?
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Chris from Nailsea on November 09, 2010, 21:42:03 I was on the Westbury to Bristol Temple Meads service last Friday afternoon: we were 'slightly delayed', but at around 17:15 through Oldfield Park, the number of passengers alighting / boarding there struck me as quite impressive!
HTH. CfN. :D Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: tramway on November 10, 2010, 00:04:27 I was on the Westbury to Bristol Temple Meads service last Friday afternoon: we were 'slightly delayed', but at around 17:15 through Oldfield Park, the number of passengers alighting / boarding there struck me as quite impressive! HTH. CfN. :D Thats's the point, train totally overloaded, Oldfield Park users have 2 other services to choose from, and go for what should be an inter regional service rather than a more local service. Still don't agree that there should be a stop at Bradford. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Trowres on November 10, 2010, 00:22:21 Stopping the Portsmouth services at Bradford on Avon has added several hundred passengers a day to the railway. I suppose you could argue it's added to overcrowding ::), but otherwise seems to be a good decision.
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Toiletdriver on November 10, 2010, 03:04:30 The Oldfield Park stop on the 1722 ex BTM is definately caped in an attempt to better the time keeping of this service, it is one of the worse
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: tramway on November 10, 2010, 14:45:22 Stopping the Portsmouth services at Bradford on Avon has added several hundred passengers a day to the railway. I suppose you could argue it's added to overcrowding ::), but otherwise seems to be a good decision. Sorry but a bit of a hobby horse of mine, and will never happen of course especially with the power of the WWRUG. But I'm sure with the footfall figures for BoA and using the very useful station comparator link at the top of the site here, there are not many stations that fall into BoA territory that have 5 trains an hour in the peak. And I'm sure for quite a lot of BoA residents that Trowbridge isn't that much farther to travel (1/2 mile) if you wanted a fast service if that was where it stopped. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Timmer on December 17, 2010, 15:06:13 From Bath Chronicle Website:
http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/news/Commuters-fume-changes/article-3009440-detail/article.html As expected Oldfield Park commuters are none too pleased by the removal of the stop of the 1630 Cardiff-Portsmouth train. Quote Rail firm First Great Western is facing a backlash over a decision to stop a commuter train calling at Oldfield Park station in Bath. City MP Don Foster is leading the concern over changes to the 17.33 service through the suburban station which FGW says are aimed at reducing overcrowding. Since Monday the service, which leaves Filton Abbey Wood at 17.09 and is popular with civil servants from Bath whose jobs have been moved to the nearby defence complex, has gone straight through Oldfield Park. The train leaves Bristol Temple Meads at 17.23 ^ a time convenient for many other people who commute between the two cities. Passengers wanting to get out at Oldfield Park will now have to catch trains leaving Filton Abbey Wood at 16.55 or 17.23, or from Temple Meads at 17.05, 17.14 or 17.49. Mr Foster said: "I wrote to First Great Western in mid-November asking them why they have decided to stop this service from calling at Oldfield Park. I have also made inquiries to see what First Great Western estimates the number of customers currently using the service are and what alternative services they expect them to use." The firm told Mr Foster that other trains were less crowded, but the MP said passengers told him they were already overcrowded. Wonder how long it will be before FGW reinstate the stop? Didn't either Wales & West or Wessex Trains remove thisstop only for them to reinstate it after protests or was it FGW in the early days of the franchise? Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: inspector_blakey on December 17, 2010, 19:33:01 Maybe I'm just heartless, but it seems to me that either having to catch a train 9 minutes earlier or 26 minutes later is hardly an intolerable imposition, especially if it helps take some of the load of what I don't doubt is a busy CDF-PMH service.
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Chris from Nailsea on December 17, 2010, 19:49:15 Erm ... at the risk of also seeming heartless, I've just merged a couple of topics here - purely for 'continuity and clarity' reasons!
CfN. ::) ;D Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Toiletdriver on December 18, 2010, 10:19:09 Maybe I'm just heartless, but it seems to me that either having to catch a train 9 minutes earlier or 26 minutes later is hardly an intolerable imposition, especially if it helps take some of the load of what I don't doubt is a busy CDF-PMH service. No, you are not being heartless! It's some of the snobby FAW commuters who seem to think they should have 4 trains an hour on all axis because of their own self importance. Don't ask them to stagger journies, please ;D Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: super tm on December 18, 2010, 15:45:11 I would just like to add that there is a notice up at Bristol in the staff messroom. Apparantly this is the WORSE performing train (time wise) on the WHOLE network so I guess part of the reason for the change is to try and get it to run more reliably on time.
There was also a note at the bottom asking for ideas to try and help it run on time so if any regulars have some suggestions then note them on here and I will pass them on. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Ollie on December 18, 2010, 20:11:56 They could remove the train - problem solved :P
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: JayMac on December 18, 2010, 21:40:51 One possible solution is to try this method once adopted in Staffordshire (it relates to buses, but I'm sure the same can be applied to trains):
Extract from: Pile, Stephen (1979). Book of Heroic Failures: Official Handbook of the Not Terribly Good Club of Great Britain. Futura. ISBN 0-7088-1908-7. Quote Can any bus service rival the fine Hanley to Bagnall route in Staffordshire? In 1976 it was reported that the buses no longer stopped for passengers. This came to light when one of them, Mr Bill Hancock, complained that buses on the outward journey regularly sailed past queues of up to thirty people. Councillor Arthur Cholerton then made transport history by stating that if these buses stopped to pick up passengers, they would disrupt the time-table. ;D Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: John R on December 18, 2010, 23:30:40 One possible solution is to try this method once adopted in Staffordshire (it relates to buses, but I'm sure the same can be applied to trains): It has been. Just ask the residents of Norton Bridge, Wedgwood and Barlaston. Ironically, they are all in Staffordshire, and have stations that have never been closed, they just don't have any trains. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: tramway on December 21, 2010, 09:10:06 There was also a note at the bottom asking for ideas to try and help it run on time so if any regulars have some suggestions then note them on here and I will pass them on. Quite a few factors can prevent this one from getting away from Bristol on time especially Fridays. Principally I think it's down to the PAX numbers and the huge quantity getting off and on, I would guess at anything up to 2/3 of the train can change here, which on a 158 can take an awful lot of time especially with the amount of luggage that also gets moved as well. This is then exacerbated with the less than ideal dwell time that seems to be quite a frequent occurence. I'm unsure of the scheduled arrival time but it's not uncommon for it to arrive with about a minute to spare. The consequence of only a small delay here, say given an arrival of 17.23/4/5 and 3 or 4 minutes to swap a train load of PAX and the 17.30 HST gets the nod ahead. Credit to the BRI announcers because as soon as it becomes apparent that is going to happen all Bath bound passengers are informed and there is a mad rush for Plat 13. It can therefore be 10-15 down by the time it reaches Trowbridge, but at least it hasn't caught up with the earlier services and sat just outside Freshford whilst BoA clears. So getting the train in as early as possible on a regular basis would help, as would ensuring the punctuality of the earlier running services on what is a pretty tight timetable. Possibly a bit too early to say what improvements have been made by the change, will have to see how things pan out in the New Year. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Timmer on January 05, 2011, 17:24:46 The 1630 ex Cardiff will be stopping at Oldfield Park this evening owing to the 1655 ex Filton being canned at Bristol. Keynsham passengers have the luxury of an HST calling there this evening. Great if you were connecting at Bath for stations to London:
16:55 Filton Abbey Wood to Westbury due 17:57 This train will be terminated at Bristol Temple Meads.It will no longer call at: Oldfield Park, Bath Spa, Freshford, Avoncliff, Trowbridge and Westbury.This is due to a train fault. 16:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour due 19:54 This train has been revised.It will call additionally at: Oldfield Park.This is due to an earlier train fault. 17:10 Weston-Super-Mare to London Paddington due 19:14 This train has been revised.It will call additionally at: Keynsham.This is due to an earlier train fault. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Chris from Nailsea on February 17, 2012, 20:16:54 From the Bath Chronicle (http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Bath-community-split-residents-parking-scheme/story-15246242-detail/story.html):
Quote The community of Oldfield Park has been divided by the prospect of a residents' parking scheme in the area. A formal survey is due to take place in the area asking whether people would like a parking scheme, although previous exercises have revealed a 50/50 split on the issue. Some residents living near existing parking schemes have welcomed the idea of permits in their streets, while others resent having to pay out for the scheme. Councillor Will Sandry (Lib Dem, Oldfield Park) said some sort of solution needed to be found to commuter parking on residential streets. He said: "It's a national problem and there isn't enough parking in Oldfield Park. We need to find a solution which is going to keep the majority of people happy." Councillor Dave Dixon (Lib Dem, Oldfield Park) said: "Some people want it but are not prepared to pay for it." Mr Sandry said there was generally three reasons why people were opposed to such schemes: they did not see a problem with off-road parking in their street, they did not have a car or they did not want to pay for a permit at a current annual cost of ^93 for the first car and ^140 for the second. He said: "People who live closer to existing resident parking schemes in Lower Oldfield Park are more in favour." As well as rail commuters putting a strain on parking in Oldfield Park, Mr Sandry said the Western Riverside development would also have an impact as there was less than one parking space per household. He said: "There is a risk that people living in the Western Riverside could park in Oldfield Park and walk to their home." He said Ministry of Defence closures could also have an effect as more people transferred from offices in Bath to Abbey Wood in Bristol and parked around Oldfield Park Station to commute to work. Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: TonyK on October 04, 2012, 18:34:28 Twitter reports:
First Great Western @FGW Disruption: A person has been hit by a train at Oldfield Park. Due to this services between Bath and Bristol disrupted. http://www.jcheck.com/fgw Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Brucey on October 04, 2012, 18:38:14 Hearing reports that a person has been hit by a train at Oldfield Park this evening. Buses currently on order to run between Temple Meads and Bath Spa.
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Timmer on October 04, 2012, 18:59:27 Just been mentioned at the end of Point's West that there is an incident at Oldfield Park with buses replacing trains in the area.
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: TonyK on October 04, 2012, 19:18:21 Buses between Bristol and Westbury according to Points West. 1641 Glos - Weymuff will terminate at Oldfield Park, lots of other disruption.
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: JayMac on October 04, 2012, 19:40:36 Lines have now reopened. As at 1924.
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: tramway on October 04, 2012, 20:29:38 No other details to report, but things seem to be back to normal after an hour (or so) in Wetherspoons.
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: mfpa on October 04, 2012, 21:53:48 I was on the 1800 Paddington train from Temple Meads. Got almost to Oldfield Park, sat for about ten minutes, then took us back to Bristol. There was some talk from staff of replacement buses being on order but I just went outside and jumped on the X39 bus, like a lot of the regulars who get off at Bath and use the Freedom Travelpass.
Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: tramway on October 05, 2012, 10:36:44 Report from the Chronicle.
http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Man-killed-train-tragedy-Bath/story-17041632-detail/story.html Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Chris from Nailsea on October 22, 2012, 20:47:34 From the Bath Chronicle (http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Bath-councillor-rewarded-efforts-spruce-Oldfield/story-17111713-detail/story.html):
Quote A woman who has made it her mission to get the area around a Bath railway station into first-class condition has been presented with an award. Local councillor June Player set up the On-Board project to improve the appearance of Oldfield Park station, planting flowers and organising litter picks. (http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/images/localpeople/ugc-images/275774/Article/images/17111713/4231903.jpg) Now she has been presented with the outstanding volunteer contribution award at the Association of Community Rail Partnerships national awards. Independent politician Mrs Player first started planting flowers in 2006 and set up the 20-strong On-Board group a year later. Members take responsibility for different sections of the garden, which include plants in the shape of a pig, a train, and an Olympic torch. With the support of Severnside Community Rail Partnership, Bath and North East Somerset Council and rail firm First Great Western, the station has also been brightened up with community artwork. Severnside partnership officer Heather Cullimore said: "Severnside Community Rail Partnership and First Great Western are extremely grateful to all of our community rail volunteers for the contribution they bring to enhancing local stations. It is wonderful to see June and the On-Board group receive recognition at a national event." Title: Re: Oldfield Park station - incidents, awards, timetable changes - merged topic Post by: Chris from Nailsea on November 09, 2013, 17:28:57 From the Bath Chronicle (http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/story-20044805-detail/story.html?):
Quote Community gives Oldfield Park railway station a facelift (http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276329/Article/images/20044805/5462164-large.jpg) Oldfield Station gets a revamp from Bath Spa University students, Miller construction, First Great Western and local community group Onboard PICTURE: Kevin Bates Oldfield Park railway station has been given a spruce-up thanks to the local community. Members of the residents' volunteer organisation Onboard were joined by representatives of Bath Spa University's Student Union, First Great Western and staff from Miller Construction to help improve the station. The team spent a day giving the station a new lease of life by weeding, planting flowers, collecting litter, and rebuilding the compost area and plant beds. Founder of the Onboard project, Councillor June Player (Ind, Westmoreland), praised the contributions of the volunteers. Station manager Peter Rignall added: "There is a real sense of pride in how the area now looks. The station feels an integral part of Oldfield Park." Severnside Community Rail Partnership were also represented. This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |