Great Western Coffee Shop

Someone I know may be travelling as follows this coming Friday:

Plymouth depart 1844 - Taunton arrive 2021
Change at Taunton
Taunton depart 2026 - Westbury arrive 2103

I would be very grateful for a steer as to how reliable the Taunton connection is.

It is an official connection.

Can't comment on how reliable it is though, except to say that if the 2026 isn't held for a late running 1844 ex Plymouth then being the last connection of the evening for Castle Cary, Pewsey and Newbury staff at Taunton would be obliged to source alternative transport.

For Westbury it may be a case of staff directing you to travel via Bristol with tickets endorsed to allow, as arrival at WSB would be within two hours of the time of the missed connection. Not sure you can insist on a taxi in this circumstance - but then if taxis are to be arranged for Castle Cary, Pewsey and Newbury then it's not to great a hassle to arrange one for Westbury also.

First thing to do if the train is likely to be late arriving in Taunton is ensure the conductor is made aware of the connection, so that the ball can be started rolling on arranging alternatives (or holding the 2026) as soon as possible.

The connection will be held, since the 1844 is extended FO to Taunton since FX the HST starts back at Exeter - formed by the 1636 ex Paddington, however this is extended to Plymouth on Fridays!

I would say should be held. Can't be held forever!  ;)

Out of interest in those circumstances if heading for Newbury would they allow travel via Reading?  I know it takes a while but personally I'd prefer that to a bus/taxi?

Sure it'd be allowed. Not sure though you'd want to arrive Newbury at 0052 with a 74 minute wait at Reading!!! That'd be your only option by train if the connection was missed at Taunton. I'd take the taxi which should be offered as the rail alternative gets you to Newbury over 3 hours later than the missed connection.

All lots of hypotheticals. In all likelihood the train would be held at Taunton for a short time providing the delay to the service up from Penzance was not too great.

We've discussed the Three Guineas at Reading before  ;D

Many thanks for your advice, folks  :)

All things considered though, it looks like the direct 1657 service from Plymouth may get the nod instead, arriving into Westbury at 1911.

Interesting comment Lee on the reliability of connections in the new railway You've decided to recomend a through train rather than risk the connection

I've known the FX 1954 departure from EXD held for at least 10 minutes past departure, where the 1644 from PNZ has been late.

I know that policy is that Connection's are No longer Held, but what is the LONGEST tiime FGW will hold a Connection.

I ask as I've been on the 22.33 Plymouth to Penzance that's BEEN held for over an HOUR awaiting the 19.03 London Pad - Plymouth. Got away at 23.40

Is that the last service of the night?  Perhaps this is a "must hold" due to the 1903 always running through to PNZ instead of just FO now.  If FGW were not at fault for the 1903 being late then they can probably justify holds and blame the origin of the delay.