Great Western Coffee Shop

Tonight, the "TransWilts" service is running short - 18:45 Swindon to Westbury, where it arrives at 19:27, and the 19:32 Westbury to Swindon, where it arrives 20:21.  I'm guessing is because the Stroud Valley trains are running through to Didcot this week.

Question for someone "in the know".  Will that be the same unit forming both trains (18:45 ex Swindon and 19:32 ex Westbury)?

i'd almost certainly assume it to be, 5 minutes is about normal turn around for branch line services, so why should a swindon westbury service be any different to the branch lines, i'd be amazed if it wasnt the same unit

Well ... I wouldn't be so sure.  The 18:56 arrival from Parkway usually turns into the 19:32 back up to Swindon, with the train that arrives at 19:27  (usually from Great Malvern via Swindon) carrying on down to Southampton. The 19:36 arrival from Parkway then forms the 20:38 back up to Parkway. As I understand it, there are somewhat different issues about turning trains around at a junction such as Westbury compared to turning them around at places where there's just a buffer stop at the end of a single track.

So ...

a) Did the 18:56 arrival head out at 19:32 as usual, and the 19:27 arrival head out at 20:38 to Bristol instead of going on to Southampton ... the 19:36 arrival carrying on to Southampton.

or

b) Did the 19:27 from Swindon head back there at 19:32,  the 19:36 call on its (extended) way to Soutampton, and the 18:56 arrival have a layover until 20:38

You may wonder why I'm too bothered - I'm looking to learn what can be done, so that any ideas floated for changes to TransWilts services are as backed up as possible with evidence and precedent

It would most likely have worked the 19:32 back - however it was cancelled due to the delay on previous journey.

19:27 arrived at 20:06

Thanks, Ollie ... there do seem to be frequent problems keeping to even the very light timetable on the TransWilts at present!

I'm guessing that it may be scheduled as two short workings again this evening ... feedback on what happens operationally (or what is supposed to happen) would be really appreciated.

I will keep an eye on it for you Graham