Great Western Coffee Shop

A couple of months ago I put a post here about the poor performance of FGW with a grossly overcrowded train - which could have been alleviated with just a little thought.

My trip yesterday:
Left Waterloo on 1920 SWT departure to West/Bristol. After 10 minutes we are told one engine in front half of train is U/S. Still manages to run to time.
After Andover we are told of a change of plan: We arrive at Salisbury - everyone in front 3 cars (1 X 159) moves to rear 3 (1 X 159), everyone in rear three gets out and walks back to where a 158 is just pulling up behind. 3 different trains on Platform 4 !
Front 159 heads off for repairs; second 159 heads off for Honiton, etc; 158 heads off for Warminster.

Everyone was told what was going on, took a couple of minutes to carry out and I was back in Warminster on time.

Well done SWT !!

Not everyone has a fleet of 158/9s lying around doing naff all!

WOW SWT swapped a set at Salisbury new cutting edge problem solution....... that FGW do every day basicly at some point without any hassle! have witnessed it a few times recently at Exeter and Plymouth!

This happens all the time with TOCs near stabling points, especially at Chester with the 175s with ATW. It is worth remembering that all TOCs have spare capcity to allow time for exams etc. The problem with FGW in particular though was that not only has there been over crowding but the spare units were being diagrammed on normal services day in day out leaving no spare capcity so when something went wrong, the whole lot went wrong.

I think the key sentence here was/is "Everyone was told what was going on"

I'm afraid my experience not just of FGW but SWT and other TOCs too is that they all too often fall well short of passing on readily available information (though I accept that in fact, the information isn't always as available as many of us assume).

Obviously in this case, everyone was kept well informed - therefore irrespective of what stock was available, I think it's a message that's well worth highlighting. Thanks, moonrakerz.

Same comment as when I posted my (justified !) gripe about FGW - have I woken up an FGW staff room somewhere !!   :D :D

The information aspect I appreciate was the more important point, but it was relevant to explain the stock issues as devon_metro stated this was only avaialable due to spare capcity with SWT. For some reason though I doubt the amount of information given had anything to do with anyone apart from a few individuals who performed well in the situation and should be commended. Tbh this should not be newsworthy as it should happen all the time but sadly it happens so rarely in the network today that it is considered news.

Therefore it is worthy of a special mention ..........................