Great Western Coffee Shop

Hello Everyone,

Having had a look at the new summer timetable for services around Exeter, there are certainly a number of positives which can be taken.

The one which caught my attention the most is that they have removed from the timetable the weekday 16:30 service between EXC & BNP.  When FGW originally implemented this service into the December 2006 timetable, it invoked criticism from commuters and also students at Exeter College, who had to leave A-level classes early to get home at a sensible time.
The new timetable sees the 16:20 service from EXM run through to BNP, departing from EXC at 16:49. A negative that can be pointed out though is that this new service does not connect with a PGN train, with a stopping service running from EXD at 16:53.

Other changes see the 10:29 BNP-EXC service, retimed to depart at 10:32 and running through as an all stations service to EXM. Also the current 09:04 EXC-BNP no longer operates. This is to be replaced with a through service from EXM, departing at 08:50, and calling at EXC at 09:17. This means that there will no longer be the direct service between EXM and PNZ.

However connections between Crosscountry services and Avocet Line trains continue to be poor in the southbound direction. And in addition the 08:23, 11:23, 12:23, 14:23 & 17:23 services from EXD towards the North no longer have the excellent six minute connection that was previously provided off the all stations service from EXM. FGW have for some reason have added an additional four minutes to the journey time between EXC and EXD. 

Another consequence of this is that the current 14:14 train from EXC to BNP will terminate at EXD in the new timetable at 14:23, with a train departing for Barnstaple just four minutes later. Officially that is a connection which cannot be made.

Connections between Exmouth services and Paddington trains generally remain the same, so poor connectivity when travelling from London/ Reading towards Exmouth in the evenings, with a 36min wait off the 18:03 service from PAD, and a 29min wait off the 19:03 train.

If to sum up the new timetable in a few phrases, then I would say that a number of problems have been solved, with the introduction of new diagrams, but FGW has created itself more problems with its slack timings, particularly on the all stations services between EXM and EXD.

With Regards,
Alex.B

That 4 minute connection train you mention, that particular train is a Exmouth to Barnstaple in my data feed - and in FGWs book B alterations:

Page 100 Mondays to Fridays 1350 Exmouth to Exeter St Davids now runs through to Barnstaple at the
times shown for the 1427 Exeter St Davids to Barnstaple

Hello, Alexander, and welcome to the Coffee Shop!

Thanks for your detailed assessment of the summer timetable, as it affects fellow passengers in your particular area.

The addition of more 'slack' in the FGW timetable seems to be a general concern, based on posts in other topics, as well as this one?

 ???

Slack is needed in Devon, 142s simply cannot keep to 150 timings unless driven aggressively.

Fair comment, d_m - I was thinking more of related topics, ... about the Cotswold line, for example?

It seems to me that the lack of certainty about what class of train may actually run a service means that those poor souls designing the timetable have to assume it may be the slowest - and they therefore have to draw up a timetable accordingly?

 ???

You'd be surprised to know that in Devon, that I know off: 06xx PGN-EXM is 3 car 153, there is a 2 car 153 diagram and also a 150 diagram. All of which are pretty solid - so i'd say predicting traction was more often than not a very simple process  :)

I'm not disagreeing with you  ;) I just wonder where 142s turn up, to mess up those 'simple traction predictions?'  :)

Think its safe to say that any train that will go out of the Devon Metro triangle is likely to not be 150 - although there is a pair of 153s that run around on the DM.

The beauty of the 142s is that they are exclusively based at Exeter and therefore very rarely stray from their stamping grounds unlike those illustrious ATW 150s that often find their way down to Cornwall etc

Have to dissagree there, 142's are actually pretty nippy on accelaration and stopping, MUCH quicker than a 153!

Mine often loose 2/3 minutes. Perhaps not massively hindered in acceleration, until going above 50, but 3 small doors compared to 4 large 150 doors inevitably increases station dwells.

I think walking is nearly as fast as a 153!

153's must loose about 5 then!

normally the main reason for losing time with a 142 is down to door faults, which are now a lot less regular, due to good maintenance at Exeter.

142062 has a few dodgy doors.

And we know why that is!
Some idiot was 'playing' with them.
Pressing the open button but holding them shut.
Trying to keep them open when the Guard had shut them.
Opening one leaf at a time.
Shutting them on people.

They were rough before he started messing with them ;)

Wouldn't say he helped the problem though.  :D

Erm, thanks, lads!

Could you perhaps enlighten the rest of us, please, and explain what happened to this particular 'idiot' who apparently caused criminal damage to a train?

 ::)

Nothing, got off at Exeter Central.
And as it was 4 car and in front unit it was more unlikely for the guard to see him.
He could have only been about 10 though.

Still eligible for a clip round the ear, though?   ;D

I wish!

Co-incipiently the guard was in possession of a BR metal ticket gripper ;)

to be fair if they dont break down the 142's are quite fast my only issues with them are overcrowding and they need updating another problem is if you hook up 2 142's yes there is more seating capacity but it must be a nightmare for the guard swithing between the two units and they dont know whats going on in the other unit, also when like with a few unlucky passsengers the other day from exeter st davids to exmouth they anounce if you are alighting at st james park (a station which is actually in a great location and im suprised is doesnt see more use) please sit in the front two carrages its a bit too late when you have started moving.......

atleast the 150's and 153's are designed to be doubled up

im guessing that the coupling and the unique design of the pacer would make the addition of a centre carrage highly unlikly?.

There are about 15 new guards newly started at Exeter resulting in a lot more 'spare' capacity, so you should see alot more of the multiple 142's double manned from now on.

4 car 142s are a god send. Paignton's Sunday 1720 to Exmouth was pretty much full and standing by Torre, as a 4 car unit. If that had been a 150, it would have been a big squeeze! I cannot remember the last time I actually had to stand on a 142, whilst standing under the days of Wessex was a common occurrence! I'd love to see some passenger figures since the introduction of the pacers as it would appear that passenger numbers are comparatively higher than before. 

last week i made 6 journeys on the exeter-exmouth line stood up twice train was packed all but one of the times, dont get me wrong in a way i do see this as a good thing the railways being busy however i can see how it would be off putting to anyone trying the train for the first time especially with children

Two points.

Firstly we do not drive "aggressively". Whilst I'm not suggesting that all drivers at Exeter are Mother Theresa, there is a strong ethic of professionalism. Adherance to professional driving standards is quite strictly monitored.

Secondly services which are diagrammed for 142 operation are timed appropriately.


We do our best with the equipment we are given.

Didn't suggest they were, just saying that on the old timings (note the age of the post), extra slack was needed.

i have alot of respect for the drivers in devon never had so much as a sharp stop or too fast over points, i have applied for a job with fgw i hope i get it

Apropos of nothing in particular, what is Todger up to these days? Is he still driving Nuclear Trains in Cumbria?  :o