Great Western Coffee Shop

When the refurbished HST's are fully in service it is claimed the "2+7" sets will improve running times as follows ;-

London to Bristol                   -     Up to 6 minutes
London to South Wales          -     Up to 7 minutes
London to South Cotswolds    -     Up to 5 minutes
London to North Cotswolds     -     Up to 4 minutes
London to West of England     -     Up to 6 minutes

As mentioned elsewhere in previous posts, passengers won't see the benefits of these cuts in journey times as FGW will use them to increase their chances of getting their trains to arrive within 10 minutes of the scheduled time. Thus overnight improving thier punctuality figures, well thats the theory anyway. If only Network rail could improve the rail network in our region overnight as well, then that may become more of a reality for FGW.

I dont have a problem with TOCs adding a bit of padding into their arrival times at a train's destination to give a more realistic arrival time for passengers, but some like Virgin and FGW are a little too generous with the padding on some of their services. If you want a good example take a look at the journey times of London-Penzance and XC trains between St Erth and Penzance, then look how long it takes to travel between Penzance and St Erth and you will see what I mean...it can be done it eight minutes. Granted they are long distance trains but it is a good example ;)

FGW have requested (and probably been granted by now) a relaxation of the SLC to allow them up to 15 minutes longer for trains on the Oxford to Worcester run.    This change, together with the quicker possible running caused by the shorter formations, should help improve timekeeping, me thinks ... or is there a contradictory factor such as worsening track conditions mitigating in the other direction?

And why would a 2+7 be visiting the WoE?

Liam.

Alison Forster made comment on this at the PF meeting.

The 2+7 working is soley to achieve a less than 3 hours service Plymouth - Paddington and will take the diagrams currently operated by the 180's.

Sounds like the fastest trains won't have a buffet, then? You'll be able to travel to Plymouth in three hours , OR with a buffet car, but not in three hours and visit the buffet?   

That will work the morning Plymouth - Paddington 180 diagram them. Good - as I have always refused to travel on that as its 180 although whats the point as its got such awful seats.

Perhaps they will put them on the evening Paddington - exeters

Its interesting to note today that 2 sets with Buffets completed Paddington - Plymouth in 2 hours 59 mins and 3 hours exactly.

The 1005 could have done it quicker still as it sat at Exeter for 7 minutes, Newton Abbot for 3 and arrived into Plymouth at 1304.

Perhaps some 'how to drive quicker' lessons are needed!