Class 387 coming to Thames Valley - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[stuving]

Not that I expected any changes (maybe not until a full timetable recast) but still no decrease in journey times despite the quicker acceleration etc.

That may be related to the timings being for 90 mph EMUs^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit), when they went to the trouble to get 110 mph ones. It suggests to me that they fear that at least the odd turbo may still be called for - and if GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are refusing to count a single chicken, who can blame them?

[IndustryInsider]

You never know, perhaps the punctuality stats will improve...

[Electric train]

Not that I expected any changes (maybe not until a full timetable recast) but still no decrease in journey times despite the quicker acceleration etc.

That may be related to the timings being for 90 mph EMUs^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit), when they went to the trouble to get 110 mph ones. It suggests to me that they fear that at least the odd turbo may still be called for - and if GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are refusing to count a single chicken, who can blame them?

Nothing unusual in a transitioning timetable

[Adelante_CCT]

Slightly O/T but as a result I notice some other changes, such as the 19:05 from Paddington to Henley and the 19:42 from Reading to Bedwyn being replaced by a new 19:06 calling at Twyford, Reading, Theale, Thatcham, Newbury (quick stop, not 23 minutes) Kintbury, Hungerford, Bedwyn.

Also a 19:12 from Paddington calling at Swindon, Parkway and Temple Meads whilst additionally calling at Reading and Didcot on Fridays.

Not that I expected any changes (maybe not until a full timetable recast) but still no decrease in journey times despite the quicker acceleration etc.

Having said that, I do note some quicker timings especially to the West of Reading, an example being the 19:18 from Paddington taking 5 minutes less between Maidenhead and Didcot.

[bobm]

Slightly O/T but as a result I notice some other changes, such as the 19:05 from Paddington to Henley and the 19:42 from Reading to Bedwyn being replaced by a new 19:06 calling at Twyford, Reading, Theale, Thatcham, Newbury (quick stop, not 23 minutes) Kintbury, Hungerford, Bedwyn.

Also a 19:12 from Paddington calling at Swindon, Parkway and Temple Meads whilst additionally calling at Reading and Didcot on Fridays.

Not that I expected any changes (maybe not until a full timetable recast) but still no decrease in journey times despite the quicker acceleration etc.

Having said that, I do note some quicker timings especially to the West of Reading, an example being the 19:18 from Paddington taking 5 minutes less between Maidenhead and Didcot.

Noting the message about being over 84 days ahead and subject to change - I note there is a fairly intensive service on (Swindon - next trains)/2017-12-25/18:23?empty_passenger=on&non_passenger=on&passenger=on&show_call=on&show_pass=on&show_stp=on&show_var=on&show_wtt=on&utf8=%E2%9C%93" target="_blank">Christmas Day.... 

[didcotdean]

Not that I expected any changes (maybe not until a full timetable recast) but still no decrease in journey times despite the quicker acceleration etc.

It seems the interchange time between the newly split stoppers at Didcot seems to be around 8 minutes on average - although in some cases in the current timetable there is a similar wait even without a need to change. At peak times there are still some Reading-Oxford stoppers as well as at the extremes of the day (spotted one at least one that starts back at Paddington).

The interchange is nearly all cross platform (4<->5) although a few times it is 3<->5

[ray951]

Well I hope that isn't the final timetable as the Oxford - Didcot service in the late afternoon is worse than the current timetable.

Currently we have services at 1637, 1707, 1737, 1807, 1837, 1909
the new timetable seems to be 1637, 1707, 1752, 1825, 1906.

[IndustryInsider]

It seems the interchange time between the newly split stoppers at Didcot seems to be around 8 minutes on average...

The interchange is nearly all cross platform (4<->5) although a few times it is 3<->5

I suspect that's more for operational convenience than passenger convenience as you can only depart back from Platform 3 by going onto the main lines before going back onto the reliefs.  The only other option would be a wasteful shunt from 3 to 4.

Well I hope that isn't the final timetable as the Oxford - Didcot service in the late afternoon is worse than the current timetable.

Currently we have services at 1637, 1707, 1737, 1807, 1837, 1909
the new timetable seems to be 1637, 1707, 1752, 1825, 1906.

That is indeed quite a worsening of service.  If a stop at Didcot on the fast Paddington train at 17:31 was added that would transform that timetable and arguably make it better than today.  Doubt it will happen though, and rather perverse to see the peak hours service potentially become worse than the off-peak one!

[didcotdean]

I suspect that's more for operational convenience than passenger convenience as you can only depart back from Platform 3 by going onto the main lines before going back onto the reliefs.

 
At least here passenger and operational convenience converge.

The only other option would be a wasteful shunt from 3 to 4.

Looking again I've spotted a couple of these. Up from 3 to Didcot West End then down to 4 half an hour later.

[IndustryInsider]

I suspect that's more for operational convenience than passenger convenience as you can only depart back from Platform 3 by going onto the main lines before going back onto the reliefs.

 
At least here passenger and operational convenience converge.

Sadly not the case of passengers arriving from the Swindon direction travelling on towards Oxford who will now have to trek over to Platform 5 in the majority of cases.

[didcotdean]

I suspect that's more for operational convenience than passenger convenience as you can only depart back from Platform 3 by going onto the main lines before going back onto the reliefs.

 
At least here passenger and operational convenience converge.

Sadly not the case of passengers arriving from the Swindon direction travelling on towards Oxford who will now have to trek over to Platform 5 in the majority of cases.

Although they won't be faced with having to do an extra change compared with now. And in the other direction there is little difference.

I suppose there are rather fewer facilities on 4/5 than on 2/3 ...

[Adelante_CCT]

I see also from January the 09:01 from Oxford arrives Paddington at 09:59, I wonder if off-peak tickets will be allowed especially as it becomes an HST^▸ (High Speed Train), otherwise could be a fairly empty service?

[johoare]

I've been wondering why the information boards are telling us to travel in the front part of the EMUs^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) if we have luggage/pushchairs etc..It always says front of the train regardless of whether the train is travelling into or out of London

Anyone know?

I have two theories (so far)

1. Not enough power to pull the train if all the weight is at the very back 
2. To maximise the time for all passengers to exit Paddington if all the wheelie suitcases brigade are at the front 

[grahame]

I've been wondering why the information boards are telling us to travel in the front part of the EMUs^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) if we have luggage/pushchairs etc..It always says front of the train regardless of whether the train is travelling into or out of London

Anyone know?

I have two theories (so far)

1. Not enough power to pull the train if all the weight is at the very back 
2. To maximise the time for all passengers to exit Paddington if all the wheelie suitcases brigade are at the front 

3. People tend to board as soon as they get to the train.   Paddington's main platform entrance is at the east, most calling stations at the west.  By encouraging push chairs and luggage to move to the front, they're sending the to what's going to be the less crowded section, so balancing load

4. To see how long it would take for us to query it on the Coffee Shop

[stuving]

I've been wondering why the information boards are telling us to travel in the front part of the EMUs^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) if we have luggage/pushchairs etc..It always says front of the train regardless of whether the train is travelling into or out of London

5. There are (or were) still some short platforms, where the back of the train is not platformed. While it's to complicated to list them, at least you can get the encumbered passengers who can't easily dash up the train in the right place.