Does anyone know what work is going on at Lawrence Hill? Steps (from the bridge) to a non-existent platform have been erected today, so is a new platform being built?

How about the site of the ex Rolls Royce building, it's adjacent to the 'triangle' and railway the line? (and to Gypsy Patch Lane and the A38 for those who don't know the area)

The good news (for my nose) is that the interior on 150126 smells fine. However, what caught my eye were the stickers to advertise the CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision), 'Smile you're on CCTV'!

There appears to be a Revenue Protection presence every weekday morning now at FAW. Presumably, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) must have been losing alot of revenue. There were a couple of spot checks in December, and this must have highlighted the issue. Is this a permanent set up, or just temporary?

Refreshed 150126 was at Temple Meads this morning, looking very shiny in a new coat of paint.

Hope the interior smells better than some of the other refreshed 150/1's, which to me smell of disinfectant.

A good step forward for the morning, but as stated above if the 16.41 and 17.41 can't cope with any extra passengers, then there's not much chance of attracting new customers to take the train.

One thing has crossed my mind, in that could the 17:41 (to Gloucester) and 17:46 to Parkway be combined at Temple Meads, and then split again at Parkway. Two obvious issues;
1. Could passengers for all stations to Parkway be persuaded to fill up the rear two carriages, and leave the front two carriages for Yate, C & D etc passengers only?
2. The 18:00 (from Temple Meads) Cross-Country train to Manchester. Could this train go in front of the Gloucester train at Parkway? Would make the journey longer to Yate though.

Don't be too critical, it's only a thought!

The story continues....

Arrived at Parkway last Monday (03/10/11), and 3 rail replacement coaches are in the car park. However, not a delay in sight and all trains running 'On Time'. Not sure what to make of it. I presume more rail repairs had taken place, and the contingency plan had been actioned. Or FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have been reading this thread, and just for me (as bignosemac had suggested) had put 3 coaches in the car park to make it clear that they do care.

And just to add to the fun, I've already heard the announcement that the track is closed between Temple Meads and Parkway this coming Sunday, so what's next Monday going to be like?

Whilst I appreciate you can't have buses on standby 24/7, if you look at all the Network Rail vehicles still parked outside Temple Meads, and stored on Filton bank this wasn't/isn't a 'minor' rail repair job. Looks like a major piece of rail engineering taking place, and hence in this specific instance I would have thought the risk was clearly there that something could go wrong/deplays could occur, and therefore cause a problem on Monday morning. That risk should have been covered, and in my opinion wasn't.

Went on 144001 out of Leeds a couple of weeks ago. This unit had obviously been recently refurished as the inside was very smart, so not all of Northern's units are in a poor state.

The train was absolutely rammed. It was almost like a stunt, how many people can you get into a 144 and still run a service!

Arrive at Parkway this morning, no trains running in either direction between Parkway and Temple Meads.  Due to overrunning engineering works. The worst part is that it's total chaos, with no rail replacement travel in sight. You would have thought FGW^▸ (First Great Western) would have a contingency plan as the works were planned. Obviously one didn't exist.

Finally got a rail replacement coach, although the it was the only one I saw turn up. When we arrived at Temple Meads it looked like a couple of hundred people were waiting to get on the one bus. Not the best customer service, although I appreciate that Network Rail caused the problem.

This was in addition to last weeks problem on Monday morning due to a points failure at Filton. You had a very full voyager waiting at a red light while the cancelled and empty Weymouth train was given priority to Temple Meads. A great piece of priority signalling!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-14744617

Feel free to advise what needs to be changed to ease the overcrowding.

2019 is mentioned in the text so don't expect anything soon.

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) news website...

Park-and-ride used by 139 drivers in three months

A ^1.3m park-and-ride car park open for three months and used by 139 motorists has made a council look stupid, a councillor has said...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-14717672

As a resident of South Glos I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

This train is currently run by one of the ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) hire-in 150's, so is never a 3 car formation.

Today (and I think I also saw it once last week) this was a 4 car combo. It's normally a crammed 2 car.

Therefore, does anyone know if this is:

a) A one-off measure (when there happens to be spare rolling stock)?
b) A trial (more carriages might help it keep better time)?
c) A permanent expansion (due to being crammed)?

If it's going to be a 4 car going forward then I might be tempted to catch it (instead of waiting 5 minutes for the next train to parkway!)

Thanks

It's usually well loaded, and perhaps once a week you might have to stand (but not a sardines situation). If you get to the station for just after 8.00 you should be first on and then you can pick your seat. (Although not today where it was late and left after the Weymouth train).

I'm quite surprised how well it's used by people changing trains. Very popular with people getting off the Pad - Swansea train (due at 8.07), and then travelling on to places like Weston SM. Although obviously quite a culture shock from a 125 to a 143.