Great Western Coffee Shop

note to mods, Please move this thread to where you feel it is most appropriate, I couldn't decide ::)

I plan to travel to Cardiff on Saturday. I've looked at the trains and can see a train from Bath Spa straight to Cardiff direct on an HST ;D where Weekend First will be the order of the day ;)

On the return I will be travelling with one of my mum's friends, who shall we say is not fond of the railways ::)

She also wants to travel First Class, but I can't see what time the trains return from Cardiff direct to Bath Spa... ??? If indeed they run at all...?! (Which I sure they do because i've heard annoucements at Bath Spa with things like "This is the service from Swansea)

Does anyone know what times the trains between Cardiff and Bath Spa run that are HST's?? or where I can find an amended timetable??

I did look on the FGW website but all it says under current engineering works is: "Please check your journey plans carefully before travelling" I couldn't see the actual timetable. ::) :o

The OJP seems to only list Portsmouth Services >:(

Cheers,

TT

As a rule there are not any HST between Cardiff and Bath.  There may be the odd exception to this rule but usually to do with Engineering work where the trains to Cardiff may me routed via Bath because the direct route via Bristol Parkway is closed. 

On Saturday, there are no HST's direct from Cardiff to Bath Spa, however due to engineering work on Sunday there are HST's running at 15 minutes past every hour to London which will be diverted and call at Bath Spa.  Not sure if that is any help to you but the only option for a direct HST service.
On Saturday, the only way to use FGW HST's would be to change at Swindon.  Journey planner probably wont show this as it may be an invalid route as it doubles back on itself towards Bristol.

Note that the All Blacks are in town tomorrow,  so services in and out of Cardiff are likely to be very busy, with the usual queuing operation in place after the match finishes. So allow plenty of time in the evening,  particularly as many city centre streets around the station and stadium will be closed.

 

None from Cardiff to Bath but in the other direction the Monday to Friday arrivals at Cardiff at 02:31 and 08:00 are both HSTs that have called at Bath on the way (Last and first trains off Paddington)

I'm in Cardiff tomorow for the Wales All Blacks rugby, as said above it will be extremely busy, so definietly  allow lots of time for your return journey

Word of warning for anyone travelling on chase the egg international days. In the run up to the match and the first few services after the game first class may be de-classified to shift large numbers of people. This is not uncommon so if travelling try to plan it to avoid just before and after the game. Preferably try travelling during the game if possible  ;)

I've noticed today there are two HST services this afternoon running non-stop from Bristol Temple Meads(originating from London Paddington) to Cardiff Central.  Allmost tempted to get on the 1317 service to experience the novelty of such a journey without the usual Filton Abbey Wood, Newport, etc stops enroute.  But I also see there is a big rugby game on in Cardiff this afternoon, and so the trains are likely to be packed with noisy rugby fans.  No thanks, I'll give that a miss!