Last Saturday's service ... on time from Bristol, 64 late from Bath (stopped at Oldfield Park while a bridge strike was cleared). 57 late from Westbury ... 79 late from Yeovil (awaiting single line) and 82 late into Weymouth.
I travelled in coach D from Westbury - just 8 people in carriage when we left there (and a fellow passenger told me she had been the only one when it left Bristol - "wondered if I was on the right train - expected crowds". Did pick up to around 35 passengers by Weymouth; picking up traffic from the following train as well, no doubt, but the Wizard always gets busier as it gets south. Due 11:45, arrived 13:07. Oops.
Surprised to read that it wasn't that busy as I expected it to pick up passengers who were waiting for the following Weymouth train that was waiting at
BRI» behind the Wizard stuck at Oldfield Park.
I was imagining quite a crowd waiting at Bath Spa for the late running Wizard and the 10.07. I guess most of those who want a day at Weymouth get the 8.40 from Bristol as the Wizard does take quite a bit longer to get to Weymouth despite missing stations.
I think we've said it before the use of an
HST▸ is more for bringing passengers home at the end of the day on the 17.28.