So some engaged customer service feedback from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) - for which thank you - and I'm told that the 0712 was booked out of Charlbury 19 times to date in March, but actually left Charlbury on 15 occasions. I was simply unlucky as it looks as if I was on all of them. In a sad way I looked at my iphone where I photograph the departure screens when trains get delayed or cancelled and spotted a similar hit rate in Feb, but I'm told there were some additional failures in Feb when the train ran at 0715.

Knowing the hit rate feels good but does not make the service any better.

I should add that I am not a train expert at all... but have always liked railways .. so live in hope. Several of the partial cancellations of the new-0712 have been non-single line related. Its simply been that the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) was u/s (we were told) at Oxford... This week on Wednesday we had an icicle in a tunnel as the reason for a delayed earlier train which infuriatingly left Charlbury going South as I turned into the new (and enlarged) car park. Shame that service could not have been delayed (but I'd expect that is just not practical) and become an 0712... (does sound a bit selfish!). I have to admit to considering going East and joining the Chiltern commuters from Banbury which I find sad.... but my own ability to be at work anywhere on time is suffering.

The 07.15 fix is not working, but I suspect this is no surprise to those who use the service.

In fact since the re-timing to 07.12, the very existence of an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) at Charlbury at 0712 has been a 50/50 affair. The absence of a train is shown as 'cancelled' but FGW^▸ (First Great Western) tell us that it is a partial cancellation which now runs on time but starts at Oxford! Slightly Orwellian use of English I think.

I'd be interested to know of others who have experience of this service before and after the re-timing.

Any insights also appreciated from those who understand this better than I.

A service to London around 0700-ish is great as you can get to London before 0900 without getting up with the lark on a regular basis.