Train GraphicClick on the map to explore geographics
 
I need help
FAQ
Emergency
About .
 Travel & transport from BBC stories as at 14:35 21 Apr 2025
 
- Gatwick tops list of 10 worst UK airports for delays
- Gatwick worst for delays among UK airports
Read about the forum [here].
Register [here] - it's free.
What do I gain from registering? [here]		 10/05/25 - BRTA Westbury
10/05/25 - Model Railsay Show, Calne
13/05/25 - Melksham TUG / AGM
14/05/25 - West Wiltshire RUG

On this day
21st Apr (1958)
Battery Multiple Unit enters public service (link)
Train RunningCancelled
13:39 Bristol Temple Meads to Worcester Foregate Street
14:01 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads
15:49 Worcester Foregate Street to Bristol Temple Meads
23:30 Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads
Short Run
09:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance
10:20 Penzance to London Paddington
10:50 Penzance to Cardiff Central
11:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance
11:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
11:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
12:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
12:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
13:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance
13:11 Taunton to Cardiff Central
13:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
13:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
14:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance
14:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
14:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
14:49 Plymouth to Cardiff Central
14:59 Cardiff Central to Taunton
15:15 Taunton to Cardiff Central
15:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
15:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
16:00 Cardiff Central to Taunton
16:24 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
16:27 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
16:31 Barnstaple to Axminster
16:50 Penzance to Cardiff Central
17:00 Cardiff Central to Taunton
17:10 Taunton to Cardiff Central
17:24 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
17:27 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
18:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance
18:10 Taunton to Cardiff Central
18:24 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
18:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
19:00 Cardiff Central to Penzance
19:15 Taunton to Cardiff Central
19:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central
19:28 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
20:00 Cardiff Central to Taunton
20:24 Exmouth to Cardiff Central
20:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour
20:59 Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads
21:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads
21:30 Cardiff Central to Frome
22:00 Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads
22:30 Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads
Delayed
An additional train service has been planned to operate as shown 22/04/25 00:07 Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads
•
PollsThere are no open or recent polls
•
Abbreviation pageAcronymns and abbreviations
•
Stn ComparatorStation Comparator
•
Rail newsNews Now - live rail news feed
•
Train companiesSelect from:
GWR
SWR
XC
Chiltern
TfL
TfW
WMR
Southern
• Site Style 1 2 3 4
Next departures • Bristol Temple Meads • Bath Spa • Chippenham • Swindon • Didcot Parkway • Reading • London Paddington • Melksham
Exeter St Davids • Taunton • Westbury • Trowbridge • Bristol Parkway • Cardiff Central • Oxford • Cheltenham Spa • Birmingham New Street
April 21, 2025, 14:51:43 *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Forgotten your username or password? - get a reminder
Most recently liked subjects
[115] Fortuitous connections ... and an App which fails to offer the...
[99] Firstgroup's rail division trading 'ahead of expectations'
[82] Eyesight rules for motorists unsafe, says coroner
[68] RNLI station celebrates 10 years of saving lives - Portishead,...
[56] Every way to travel between Devon/Cornwall to London rated
[49] Salisbury Station, 2025 edition
 
News: A forum for passengers ... with input from rail professionals welcomed too
 
   Home   Help Search Calendar Login Register  
Great Western Coffee Shop > Journey by Journey > London to Swindon and Bristol > fastest journey time,not quite true?
Pages: [1]
« previous next »
  Print  
Author Topic: fastest journey time,not quite true?  (Read 12616 times)
infoman
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 1530


View Profile
« on: September 26, 2019, 07:24:58 »
GWR▸ (Great Western Railway) stating that an IET▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) from Bristol took 72 minutes to reach London Paddington on tuesday evening 24 september
Although an HST▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) took 68 minutes to do the same journey back in May 1977.

Did a HST not do a "top of the pops" journey in one hour back in circa 1984/1985?
Logged
IndustryInsider
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 10451


View Profile
« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2019, 10:26:36 »
Clarified in the press release:

https://www.gwr.com/about-us/media-centre/news/2019/september/special-gwr-train-run-posts-modern-speed-record
Logged
To view my GWML▸ (Great Western Main Line) Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/
rower40
Transport Scholar
Sr. Member
******
Posts: 292

Turning signalling into a video game since 1988.


View Profile
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2019, 14:56:46 »
If your cassette MP3 player has "American Pie", "Hotel California" and "Bat out of Hell" on, then the journey will MAY be over before all three tracks have played three times through.
Logged
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 19304



View Profile
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2019, 18:39:18 »
Assuming you mean the album versions of said tracks rather than the radio edits.
Logged
"Good news for regular users of Euston Station in London! One day they will die. Then they won't have to go to Euston Station ever again." - David Mitchell
eightf48544
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 4574


View Profile Email
« Reply #4 on: October 02, 2019, 12:01:23 »
Quote from: infoman on September 26, 2019, 07:24:58

Did a HST▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) not do a "top of the pops" journey in one hour back in circa 1984/1985?



Yes during the programme. Specialy shorted set 2+5? We watched from my garage roof with all the local kids.


Unfortunately it can't be mentioned because of you know who!
Logged
Timmer
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 6604


View Profile
« Reply #5 on: October 02, 2019, 13:59:12 »
Did it in 62 minutes 33 seconds if the following is to be believed:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/top-of-the-pops-train-1984.86066/

Has this particular run been disregarded because a certain individual was aboard at the time?
Logged
JontyMort
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 342


View Profile
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2019, 14:36:23 »
Quote from: Timmer on October 02, 2019, 13:59:12
Did it in 62 minutes 33 seconds if the following is to be believed:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/top-of-the-pops-train-1984.86066/

Has this particular run been disregarded because a certain individual was aboard at the time?

Well, forgetting certain individuals, the two timings - and these were in the timetable - that stick in my mind are Paddington to Bristol Parkway in 65 minutes and Paddington to Chippenham in 55.
Logged
Red Squirrel
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 5502


There are some who call me... Tim


View Profile
« Reply #7 on: October 02, 2019, 14:37:36 »
According to this press release, as referred to by II, above:

Quote
The Rail Performance Society (RPS) records fastest times in two categories – pre-2008 and post-2008. This reflects the introduction of safer driving practices and speed restrictions from 2008.

According to the RPS, the quickest time recorded between Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington pre-2008 was 68 minutes 19 seconds, set on 7 May 1977 by a High Speed Train.

Until last night, no speed record had been measured between the two stations post-2008.
Logged
Things take longer to happen than you think they will, and then they happen faster than you thought they could.
Timmer
Global Moderator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 6604


View Profile
« Reply #8 on: October 02, 2019, 14:41:53 »
Quote from: Red Squirrel on October 02, 2019, 14:37:36
According to this press release:

Quote
The Rail Performance Society (RPS) records fastest times in two categories – pre-2008 and post-2008. This reflects the introduction of safer driving practices and speed restrictions from 2008.

According to the RPS, the quickest time recorded between Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington pre-2008 was 68 minutes 19 seconds, set on 7 May 1977 by a High Speed Train.

Until last night, no speed record had been measured between the two stations post-2008.
Which would be correct in saying that as it’s Bristol to London. The Top of the Pops run was London to Bristol.
Logged
IndustryInsider
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 10451


View Profile
« Reply #9 on: October 02, 2019, 14:46:59 »
Since 1977 the approach speeds into Paddington have been significantly reduced, also ATP▸ (Automatic Train Protection) means there is no way of exceeding 125mph (well, 127mph if you don't mind constant warbling!) unless you isolate it which given the Southall crash isn't something to be recommended!  I am guessing rules were somewhat more relaxed in 1977?
Logged
To view my GWML▸ (Great Western Main Line) Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/
1st fan
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 415


View Profile
« Reply #10 on: October 02, 2019, 16:17:00 »
Quote from: eightf48544 on October 02, 2019, 12:01:23
Quote from: infoman on September 26, 2019, 07:24:58

Did a HST▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) not do a "top of the pops" journey in one hour back in circa 1984/1985?



Yes during the programme. Specialy shorted set 2+5? We watched from my garage roof with all the local kids.


Unfortunately it can't be mentioned because of you know who!

Voldemort!  Shocked
Logged
Celestial
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 674


View Profile
« Reply #11 on: October 02, 2019, 16:20:50 »
Quote from: eightf48544 on October 02, 2019, 12:01:23

Yes during the programme. Specialy shorted set 2+5?

I expect Broadgage was outraged.
Logged
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 19304



View Profile
« Reply #12 on: October 02, 2019, 16:41:07 »
There used to be videos on YouTube of that particular episode of Top of the Pops. Long since removed. I actually downloaded said videos about 8 years ago, before the death of a certain DJ. Unfortunately they were on a hard drive that later died.

As for whether the record run is now disregarded, it could be that the 'record' is not widely acknowledged due to the speeding that took place. Whilst the 125mph maximum might only have been exceeded by 5mph or so, I believe other sections of the run had sanctioned 'speeding'. I certainly remember, from watching the video, the set came into Temple Meads P3 from Dr Days Junction at a fair old lick and was full anchors on. Simon Bates at platform edge certainly seemed concerned for the safety of the gathered ToTP audience.

Of course, the onboard DJ hasn't helped in keeping the details and videos of the run in the public domain.

EDIT: The only video I can find of that particular episode of Top of the Pops is Howard Jones' performance at Bristol TM▸ (Train Manager, or possibly Ticket Machine, depending on context).

« Last Edit: October 02, 2019, 20:03:05 by bignosemac » Logged
"Good news for regular users of Euston Station in London! One day they will die. Then they won't have to go to Euston Station ever again." - David Mitchell
broadgage
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 5674



View Profile
« Reply #13 on: November 20, 2019, 23:07:58 »
Quote from: Celestial on October 02, 2019, 16:20:50
Quote from: eightf48544 on October 02, 2019, 12:01:23

Yes during the programme. Specialy shorted set 2+5?

I expect Broadgage was outraged.

No outrage.
No objections to a shortened HST▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) for a special "one off" record breaking run.
It is the regular use of new shorter trains on regular services that I object to.
Logged
A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
Do you have something you would like to add to this thread, or would you like to raise a new question at the Coffee Shop? Please [register] (it is free) if you have not done so before, or login (at the top of this page) if you already have an account - we would love to read what you have to say!

You can find out more about how this forum works [here] - that will link you to a copy of the forum agreement that you can read before you join, and tell you very much more about how we operate. We are an independent forum, provided and run by customers of Great Western Railway, for customers of Great Western Railway and we welcome railway professionals as members too, in either a personal or official capacity. Views expressed in posts are not necessarily the views of the operators of the forum.

As well as posting messages onto existing threads, and starting new subjects, members can communicate with each other through personal messages if they wish. And once members have made a certain number of posts, they will automatically be admitted to the "frequent posters club", where subjects not-for-public-domain are discussed; anything from the occasional rant to meetups we may be having ...

 
Pages: [1]
  Print  
« previous next »
 
Jump to:  

Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP Powered by SMF 1.1.2 | SMF © 2006-2007, Simple Machines LLC Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!
This forum is provided by customers of Great Western Railway (formerly First Great Western), and the views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that the content provided by one of our posters contravenes our posting rules via admin@railcustomer.info. Full legal statement (here).

Jump to top of page • Jump to Forum Home Page