Bramley on the Reading-Basingstoke line new CIS^▸ (Customer Information System) were installed yesterday and all working at 0610 this morning. We also have a new PA^▸ (Public Address (broadcast loudspeaker announcements) or Passenger Assist (railway staff providing physical assistance to passengers with mobility issues), depending on context) system pre-announcing the train twice and as it arrives. Not sure how the people in the houses next to the station feel about this !

Also the location on Platform 1 (from Basingstoke towards Reading) of the CIS sign makes no sense - hidden behind both a lamp post and the new PA system ...it's also down the far end of the platform 

Hello All,

I am back using First Great Western after a 12 months commuting into London from Basingstoke on SWT^▸ (South West Trains).

To save a few quid I have stopped driving and parking at Basingstoke and now commute to Waterloo in the morning from Bramley via Basingstoke and home to Bramley via Paddington/Reading in the evenings (gets me home quicker !)

A couple of comments and a question:

1. Paddington feels much more civilised than Waterloo !
2. The downside is that the HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units))'s (despite the refurb) feel so old and knackered compared to the much newer electric trains SWT are running ! I had also forgotten how crowded they are compared to SWT.

Anyway, my question is about connecting trains - I got the 1730 from Paddington last Friday which was about 10 mins late leaving. We never made up the time, in fact it got worse and we got to Reading at 1806, 1 minute before the Basingstoke train departed. Despite being in Coach A I missed the train as it departed bang on time (for once - that must be only the second time this year it has left bang on 1807) I asked the Train Despatch guy on platform 2 that given that the train timetabled to connect to the 1807 was delayed was there no scope to hold this train for the 30 or so people running towards it. He replied with a "dunno mate" !

Stood on the platform for 30 minutes, I was pondering if there was a proper policy on this ? 

Thanks
Anthony

I think I know the smell you mean, I think it's the brakes !

Cheers
Anthony

It's a Thatcham to London ALL ZONES, sorry I should have been more specific ! Thanks for your help and the info, I wasn't given any vouchers or details on benefits when I bought the tickets (had to buy one for the Mrs as well - an expensive day !) so it's good to know I get a little something extra for my 8 grand !

Cheers
Anthony

Hello All,

I've recently started commuting from Thatcham to Paddington every day and have bought an annual season ticket. I have read in various places about a few benefits available to season ticket holders but I'm not sure what is available on FGW^▸ (First Great Western) services. Can anyone shed any light on this ?

Having never used trains before regularly I'm also pretty impressed with FGW, maybe I'm still in the honeymoon period but the HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units))'s are pretty comfy on the way home although the little trains (165's I think) are pretty tired but I hear a refurb is on the way....

Thanks all !

Anthony

Hello all ... we've now moved to Thatcham and the 0630 to Paddington this morning was a very pleasant experience - I hope it's like that every day ! Not sure what the return journey will be like - I suspect a bit busier !

Thanks for your comments on this and on the other post I made about travelling in from Twyford.

Cheers
Anthony

Hello all,

I have posted on the Kennet Line forum as well as I'm considering moving house to the West from East London. Can anyone tell me please their experiences of travelling from Twyford every morning to Paddington leaving Twyford at around 0630.

How packed are the trains at that time of the day? I use the underground every day now so am used to busy trains but just wondered how bad things are ?

Many thanks 

Regards
Anthony

Hello all,

I'm moving out of East London back to the West and am currently looking at renting houses on the London - Kennet Valley line specifically around Kintbury/Hungerford and Thatcham areas.

I'm used to busy trains given I use the Tube every day right now but just wondered what peoples experience was of the 6.17 am from Kintbury passing through Thatcham at 0630 and arriving in theory at Paddington at 0723

I'm also considering the Twyford area but assume that any train after Reading towards London will be packed out ?

Many thanks and see you on the train soon   

Regards
Anthony