Been lurking around for a while, thought I'd say Hi.

I live in Taunton and work in Weston-super-Mare and use FGW^▸ (First Great Western) services 4-5 times per week for work, with the occasional 08:06am XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) thrown in too and also regular trips to Bath Spa.

I also previously lived in Grimsby, Lincs and travelled a few times a week to Sheffield, so it was nice to see the Transpennine 158's follow me down here shortly after moving back!

I was on this service, boarding at Taunton for the timetabled 09:04 departure to Paddington. No announcements on the platform that it was shortformed, or that people would have to change trains at Temple Meads, just that there was no catering. Imagine the horror and the groans when a couple of 142's rolled in.

About 20 people waiting to get on at Taunton, and there couldn't have been anymore than 20-30 people already on it. It departed Taunton at 09:06 and the arrival time into Weston-s-mare was 09:31, only a few mins later than the usual HST^▸ (High Speed Train). Quite a crowd waiting to get on at Weston.

The guard did say it was due to the TM^▸ (Train Manager) who was due to take the HST from Paignton to Temple Meads being sick.

Pleasantly surprised by the 142's actually - OK so they weren't top-notch internally, but the ride from Taunton to WSM was much more comfortable than a 143, which always makes up to 08:36 Taunton - Bristol Parkway that I often catch, and it certainly flew the nonstop stretch from Taunton to Weston.

Full credit to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) for being able to run that service though.

(1st post - Hi!)