What discounts are there if trains run on time (but leave people behind)?

[whole diary]

[johoare]

Thanks for that Phil.. It sounds like it should be back to normal on Monday.. (same again today though..)

Meanwhile, in case it isn't, does anyone on here know which other Maidenhead morning departures are HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train)? I don't think there are many but if this continues I'd rather go in much earlier and be guaranteed to get on a train.. I did try looking at the list of timetables on the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) site as I know that information would be on a timetable but I struggled to find the Maidenhead to Paddington one (mind you that might just be me being stupid  )

[JayMac]

According to the timetable, (this one ) the 0643 and 0708 are also HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train).

[Phil]

Thanks for that Phil.. It sounds like it should be back to normal on Monday.. (same again today though..)

Meanwhile, in case it isn't, does anyone on here know which other Maidenhead morning departures are HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train)? I don't think there are many but if this continues I'd rather go in much earlier and be guaranteed to get on a train.. I did try looking at the list of timetables on the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) site as I know that information would be on a timetable but I struggled to find the Maidenhead to Paddington one (mind you that might just be me being stupid  )

Unfortunately Jo, there's just been a report on Twitter that it's a Turbo rather than HST *again* this morning...

[johoare]

Thanks Phil.. I noticed that too.. I'm hoping to get a refund on the 1st class portion of my ticket... Although I think anyone travelling at that time of the morning during the last week deserves compensation regardless of class of ticket..

Meanwhile it looks like I'm going to miss my first meeting of the day.. again...

[gpn01]

Really think that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) should be prosecuted for Trading Standards - how they can sell "First Class" tickets when the service is far from First Class I just don't know.  I was on 08:04 during the week when it was 3-carriages and so standing room only. 

This morning's, slightly delayed, 07:08 from Maidenhead was standing room only in both First and Standard class.  Unusually there was nobody checking tickets so I couldn't even ask about how to obtain a refund.  Always intregued how it is that there's no ticket inspector/train manager/whatever the name is when I'm looking for a refund.

[johoare]

According to the timetable, (this one ) the 0643 and 0708 are also HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train).

Thank you.. sorry I didn't notice your post before now..None are really good replacements for the 8am as they are so much earlier and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) only tend to post things about train problems about 6.15am anyway.. which isn't always enough time..

[johoare]

Really think that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) should be prosecuted for Trading Standards - how they can sell "First Class" tickets when the service is far from First Class I just don't know.  I was on 08:04 during the week when it was 3-carriages and so standing room only. 

This morning's, slightly delayed, 07:08 from Maidenhead was standing room only in both First and Standard class.  Unusually there was nobody checking tickets so I couldn't even ask about how to obtain a refund.  Always intregued how it is that there's no ticket inspector/train manager/whatever the name is when I'm looking for a refund.

The 8.04 is always 3 carriages and always full when it arrives at Maidenhead so doesn't serve Maidenhead commuters at all..so it being standing room only is no surprise.. I guess you might mean the 8am which should be an 8 car HST^▸ (High Speed Train) (and maybe it will be tomorrow.. who knows.. FGW I imagine)..

And ticket inspector? I see them so rarely these days I have forgotten what they do....So I am surprised that you say "unusually".. perhaps they are all on the 7.08 and not on any other train

[johoare]

According to the timetable, (this one ) the 0643 and 0708 are also HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train).

Also.. How on EARTH have they managed to put the Maidenhead train times on the Marlow branch line timetable .. No wonder I didn't find it.. I wonder who thought that was a good idea 

[gpn01]

Really think that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) should be prosecuted for Trading Standards - how they can sell "First Class" tickets when the service is far from First Class I just don't know.  I was on 08:04 during the week when it was 3-carriages and so standing room only. 

This morning's, slightly delayed, 07:08 from Maidenhead was standing room only in both First and Standard class.  Unusually there was nobody checking tickets so I couldn't even ask about how to obtain a refund.  Always intregued how it is that there's no ticket inspector/train manager/whatever the name is when I'm looking for a refund.

The 8.04 is always 3 carriages and always full when it arrives at Maidenhead so doesn't serve Maidenhead commuters at all..so it being standing room only is no surprise.. I guess you might mean the 8am which should be an 8 car HST^▸ (High Speed Train) (and maybe it will be tomorrow.. who knows.. FGW I imagine)..

And ticket inspector? I see them so rarely these days I have forgotten what they do....So I am surprised that you say "unusually".. perhaps they are all on the 7.08 and not on any other train

Probably got my 08:00/08:04mixed up - don't usually travel that late!

As for ticket inspectors, I'd say that more often than not my ticket is inspected on the 07:08. 

[grahame]

Unfortunately Jo, there's just been a report on Twitter that it's a Turbo rather than HST^▸ (High Speed Train) *again* this morning...

No report thus far this morning.  Still an HST shortage though - complete cancellation of 06:30 Bristol to Paddington.  Unrelated, or robbing Pierre to pay Paul?

[Phil]

There was actually Graham; Jo (from @FGW^▸ (First Great Western), not our Jo) reported on Twitter that the 0800 was to be an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) today. I rather suspect that as you say, Pierre was robbed to pay Paolo.

[EBrown]

Pierre was robbed to pay Paolo.

Sorry, what do you mean by that?

[Phil]

It was a continuation of GrahamE's play on words, EBrown, wherein Pierre (Peter) (aka Bristol) was "robbed" to pay Paolo (Paul) (aka Maidenhead) to ensure an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) was run in place of a turbo (aka a "train")

[IndustryInsider]

And of course where routes/services have staff who are trained in the two types of traction, they will inevitably be the ones who suffer as a turbo can be pulled out of the hat to cover another train that would otherwise have meant a single traction routes service would have to be cancelled.  Hence suburban London services, Oxford to Paddington and Cotswold Line trains always falling at the first hurdle. 

This will still be the case when FGW^▸ (First Great Western) 180's can't muster up the 80% availability record to be expected of them from the summer.  I predict fairly common turbo replacements then, though luckily for Maidenhead commuters they will be unlikely to be affected.

[johoare]

It was in fact an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) this morning  there was almost a party atmosphere when the first class passengers on the platform saw it arriving.. The last 6 days of travelling have been horrible..

However.. instead.. the 17.50 was turbotised tonight to make up for it..  And the next HST to Maidenhead and the only other chance of getting into first class is two hours later...

I think FGW^▸ (First Great Western) need to sort this out.. If they're going to sell First Class tickets from stations such as Maidenhead and Twyford they need to provide a proper first class service...

Incidentally FGW have offered me a ^15 rail voucher for the difference between standard and first class for 5 days (although I do need to point out it was actually 6 days) one way.. and now seven including today