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Until about a month ago the 0645 from Nailsea to Bristol Temple Meads nearly always arrived in Bristol before 0657, allowing sprightly passengers to transfer to other services such as the 0700 to Newcastle.  :)

About 1 month ago there seems to have been a sudden drop in punctuality. Since then it rarely arrives in Bristol before 0700, and rarely departs before 0704 (it is timetabled to arrive at 0657 and depart at 0700). This makes the Newcastle connection impossible.  :(

The HSTs used for this service seem to have sufficient power to keep to time if "given their head". Any ideas about why this is? Are the drivers being extremely cautious about leaves on the line?

A quick look at the December 23 timetable suggests that it will be retimed to depart Nailsea at 0644, but that won't be enough to allow an on-time departure from Bristol if the current performance continues.

Welcome to the forum, HSTHopper

Do you know if it's a late departure from Weston or loses time on route?

i would say cautious driving for the leaf fall season

Not that a 3 minute connection at Bristol Temple Meads is at all adviseable! Do-able i'd admit (i've done it at least twice although both due to delays) The fact that rail adhesion particularly before its light is so shocking at this time of year, that would likely be the answer.

And the XC service starts at BTM so is less likely to be delayed. I certainly wouldn't regard that as a safe connection given the distance you can potentially have to run at Bristol.

Maybe the train driver today reads this forum, if so, thanks. The times today were:
Depart Nailsea: 0646 (timetable 0645)
Arrive Bristol: 0657 (on time)
Depart Bristol: 0700 (on time)
So it doesn't seem to be a universal slowdown, just something that affects the majority of days.

The "connection" at Bristol is certainly a tight one, but I reckon early-morning commuters tend to be highly motivated. If the HST arrives at 0656, there's *just* enough time to buy a pie in the subway and still catch the Newcastle train. I agree that the 0700 to Newcastle is extremely punctual.

Believe from December 08 Cross Country will depart Bristol at xx28 and xx58, so that connection will be pretty suicidal!