More bad news for travellers between Salisbury and Exeter

[whole diary]

[GBM]

I note a few/several 3sxx running around, listed as Totton Yard to Totton Yard.
Wondered if they were railhead treatment trains, or perhaps carrying spoil away from Axminster?

[PhilWakely]

I note a few/several 3sxx running around, listed as Totton Yard to Totton Yard.
Wondered if they were railhead treatment trains, or perhaps carrying spoil away from Axminster?

The RHTT^▸ (Rail Head Treatment Train)

[JayMac]

Most of the extremities of the SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) network have no service during the strikes. But, thanks to the planned engineering works between Salisbury and Yeovil (10th-18th December) there are rail replacement buses running despite the strikes.

Small mercies. Unless you are a dog owner of course. I decided against attempting a journey to Sherborne on the RRBs^▸ (Rail Replacement Bus) today. Took the scheduled bus service instead. 2.5x the 'rail' fare.

Thanks Mr Lynch.

[Alan Pettitt]

Just been chatting to my favourite signaller earlier this afternoon in the pub, she could only have one pint because she's working tomorrow, she couldn't understand why it is that the strike shouldn't affect us tomorrow (Thursday) but there will still not be any trains running in Axminster, seems that the ASLEF^» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about) strike does not affect SWR^» (South Western Railway - about), any ideas?

[ChrisB]

Yep - their drivers didn't vote for a strike (but action short of that, I think)

[JayMac]

So much for SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) avoiding strike disruption today, 1st February 2023.

They were stating that they intended to run a full service on the mainland today. Good intentions but...

I went to Gillingham late afternoon to do some shopping. When I left Templecombe at 1643 trains were running pretty much to schedule. Did my shopping with the intention of getting the 1752 back from Gillingham. Cancelled. As was the 1819 and 1852. The 1920 and 1954 from Gillingham were also shown as cancelled from London Waterloo (1723, 1753) and were only belatedly reinstated to run from Salisbury at the last minute. Both were still showing as cancelled at Gillingham by the time I was making my way home by alternative means.

After the 1752 from Gillingham was cancelled, I retired to the pub to keep an eye on when I might next get a train over a pint. Three pints later, and after a call to SWR who said get a taxi at their expense, I got a cab home at 1915. Out of my own pocket with no idea if and when SWR will reimburse me.

Lesson learnt. Don't take a TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) at their word when they say they intend to run a full service. Intent versus reality was at odds today.