With a half-hourly service between BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) and WSM, I suspect that this is seen as a low-risk way of recovering the service without triggering the right to compensation in most cases.

My own personal bugbear is why BRI to TAU^» (Taunton - next trains) trains are turned back at Weston, with Bridgwater and Highbridge only having an hourly service!

On paper I'd agree that 158s aren't suitable for suburban work, but an interesting case is 2C83 1600 CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains)-TAU^» (Taunton - next trains). This was, by Andrew Haines admission, one of FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) worst performing trains for some time. The reason appeared were the boarding times of the sheer weight of passengers, particularly at Bristol TM^▸ (Train Manager, or possibly Ticket Machine, depending on context). Since a switch to regular 3-car 158/9, however it was clear that the run between Severn Tunnel Jcn and Bristol TM was also a source of delay.

The additional capacity, extra doors and better performance on the long non-stop stretch has brought 2C83 back to some semblance of normality over the past month or two, but when something deputises for a 158/9 the delays return. Perhaps what I'm trying to say is that because of the way the current timetable is built, there are very few purely suburban routes at all.

I've read that elsewhere too - but haven't seen it confirmed by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) anywhere yet.

0913 BPW^» (Bristol Parkway - next trains) departure only goes as far as WSM looking at the NRES^▸ (National Rail Enquiry Service) journey planner for 15th December. Is this going to run ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) from WSM to TAU^» (Taunton - next trains)?

These times have appeared on other railway forums, and don't seem to tie-up very comfortably with existing diagrams. Indeed the 0732 becomes 0728 from the new timetable.

Would have hoped that the LHCS^▸ (Locomotive Hauled Coaching Stock) set would have appeared on the 1600 or 1700 ex-CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains) which are both busy trains!

The branch from Yate Middle to Tytherinton remains. If the quarry ever closed, there would be a fairly sizeable site for a 'parkway' station there.

I'd like to add the resignalling of the bay platform at WSM for terminating Bristol trains. Would improve reliability and provide better opportunities to recover the service in the event of problems.

No it didn't. Ended up using a couple of the services listed today, mostly 143s on the Tauntons it seems.

One concern is that 2K28 is scheduled to continue as the 21:45 Bristol TM^▸ (Train Manager, or possibly Ticket Machine, depending on context) to Severn Beach. Since these diagrams have the stock heading off to Barton Hill at that point, I wonder if this will involve a swap onto a unit - or more worryingly whether the 21:45 will be regularly canceled?

Highbridge and Burnham appeared to be working last Friday evening. Interested to see if it's still working after a weekend of attention by the locals!

Let's not forget the strangest substitution hereabouts which occurred in May 2005 on Wessex's watch. On this occasion, 143619 worked a Cardiff-Penzance and return service throughout. The unit still wears a small Cornish flag on one end to mark the occasion.

It's notable that Transpennine is not solely a First Group operation, but is a partnership with Keolis. Keolis appear to be a far more dynamic European transport management company. It's perhaps no coincidence that this is the only First franchise to receive the levels of investment which TPE^▸ (Trans Pennine Express) have.

The West fleet is in a sorry state in many cases - the 158s, which are effectively our flagship trains, are tattered inside and increasingly unreliable. What 153s we have left are truly shocking - I've seen units in better interior condition on the scrapline. The refurbishment Wessex undertook on the 150s and 143s was fairly good - but the 150's with their light coloured interiors are looking dirty and in need of work.

Oddly, and I know this will not be a popular choice, the 143s have fared best of all. The replacement of the bus seats was welcome, and despite the poor ride quality and rudimentary interiors, they can pack a fair few people into these. I wonder if we'll end up with any of the 142s which Northern Trains will be displacing with 158s shortly?

I agree entirely. FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have been blamed for errors which in part stem from government policy. Naturally, as First Group has benefited greatly from the recent round of franchising, the government can lay this blame with the secure knowledge that First Group won't mind one bit.

Bottom line is that flawed specifications lead to flawed franchises. Except of course that FGW could have chosen to do things differently...

As of the end of the last working day of March, the majority of ticket machines between Bristol and Taunton appear to remain out of commission.

I can only assume a peek at the great black shrouds covering them all will convince guards that the passenger had no opportunity to buy before boarding!

Or perhaps they've all become PCSOs?

I can't see any TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) going for 142s either, particularly in the current climate where there appears to be a fair amount of 158s and similar sets changes hands almost weekly. My concern is that FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) current tactic of leasing just enough stock to cover the minimum service specification will leave them out in the cold later. Even if they were convinced that we needed a sensible TransWilts serivce, or strengthened Bristol area commuter services, there just won't be anything left.

I've had several messages from colleagues in the industry mentioning an email bulletin called 'Rail Business Intelligence'. Does anyone have access to this, as its reported in the most recent edition that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are to lose a further 12 Class 158 units "in March"?