May 2015 timetables, including new services for Maidenhead / Thames Valley

[whole diary]

[Timmer]

Autumn timetables and weekend supplements now available:
https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/train-times-and-tickets/train-times/from-17-may-2015

If anyone purchased the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Network Timetable earlier this summer, you should be able to pick up a new Autumn edition FREE of charge as the current one expires 6th September.

[BBM]

Autumn timetables and weekend supplements now available:
https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/train-times-and-tickets/train-times/from-17-may-2015

I've found a discrepancy already! On page 9 of East 1, the 1707 (in the current timetable) PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)-BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) (via BOA) with first stop TWY^▸ (Twyford station) is shown as departing PAD at 1708. However in the East 9 (Henley Branch) timetable it's shown as departing PAD at 1706 and RealTimeTrains appears to agree with that time.

[bobm]

Autumn timetables and weekend supplements now available:
https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/train-times-and-tickets/train-times/from-17-may-2015

If anyone purchased the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Network Timetable earlier this summer, you should be able to pick up a new Autumn edition FREE of charge as the current one expires 6th September.

Having bought the FGW book at Swindon, I went back there today to get the supplement as it starts today.  They were not aware of one and needless to say had none in stock.

I'll try at Paddington tomorrow.

[Timmer]

That's a bit concerning as I too was planning to do the same thing and pick up the supplement next weekend.

Anyone able to shed any light regards the availability of this supplement? I paid my ^5 back in May based on the strength of this being available in September. I wasn't going to pay for something that was only valid for just over 3 months.

[The Tall Controller]

Hi folks, the 'Guide to Services' (The all in one timetable) will be slightly delayed as we unfortunately had some complications whilst producing it. This will be our first publication in the new GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) branding and as with all new rebrands, there were a couple of teething problems. That coupled with the complexity of the September to Decembert timetable made this a very time consuming and tricky thing to put together. I will let you know in due course when they are at stations but they are not currently available.

I can also confirm that the book will be 100% free. You will not need to produce your old book to receive it and that it will be available at the regular stations that normally stock this book.

Apologies for the delay but I hope it will be worth the wait.

[Timmer]

Thanks for the update Rob, look forward to seeing the results. As Barry Doe of RAIL magazine says the GW^▸ (Great Western) 'Guide to Services' along with the SWT^▸ (South West Trains) version are both excellent publications with so much information along with all timetables all in one book.

[bobm]

Yes thanks Rob.

I remember attending a talk given by Ian Mundy, then in the publications department -  now in charge of stations along the seawall, and he explained what a technically complicated procedure it is to produce the timetables.  Especially as they include other operators running over a common route where appropriate.

[The Tall Controller]

Indeed, the Central area timetables proved very difficult this time round due to the Severn Tunnel block. For example it took an hour or two just to sort out how we are going to show Pilning in the timetable! (It's back in the timetable, rather than a footnote).

I am Ian's direct replacement and I believe he presented a couple of talks. I'd be open to continuing his 'legacy' if anyone wanted me!

[NickB]

Does anyone know whether the recent change of the 17.49 padd --> Worcester from hst to 5 carriages is temporary or permanent. 5 carriages are rammed solid and we left plenty on the platform this evening.

[IndustryInsider]

The seat reservation list indicates it should be a HST^▸ (High Speed Train).

[Adelante_CCT]

I thought it was meant to be an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) but having looked at FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Twitter just now they seem to be saying that the 17:49 will be a 180 from now until at least December. Certainly not a good choice of train to downgrade the number of coaches on

[NickB]

After posing my question on here during last night's journey I took the opportunity to ask the driver (who popped his head out to supervise the drop at Maidenhead) about the missing HST^▸ (High Speed Train).
He replied that he had turned up expecting an HST and that the revised format was a surprise.  Curiously last tuesday, which was the previous time I got the 17.49 and was in 180 format again, the TM^‡(resolve) announced that the HST he had expected was broken and 'this is what they've given us'.
December seems an awfully long time to wait for an HST to return.  It was dangerously crowded last night and it will just push more people on to the following 18.18 to Maidenhead which is again already dangerously overcrowded.

[IndustryInsider]

It is, and always has been, the logical train to replace from HST^▸ (High Speed Train) to 180 if there's some shortage in the evening as it's driven by a Paddington LTV^▸ (London [and] Thames Valley) driver all the way to Worcester and back.  Point taken about it being a very busy train though, so far from ideal.

[Timmer]

Hi folks, the 'Guide to Services' (The all in one timetable) will be slightly delayed as we unfortunately had some complications whilst producing it. This will be our first publication in the new GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) branding and as with all new rebrands, there were a couple of teething problems. That coupled with the complexity of the September to Decembert timetable made this a very time consuming and tricky thing to put together. I will let you know in due course when they are at stations but they are not currently available.

I can also confirm that the book will be 100% free. You will not need to produce your old book to receive it and that it will be available at the regular stations that normally stock this book.

Apologies for the delay but I hope it will be worth the wait.

Hi Rob or anyone else that can answer.

I'm passing through Paddington tomorrow morning. Is it worth asking at the information desk or ticket office for the GWR Guide to services, is it available yet?

Thx

[Timmer]

Finally got round to picking the new GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) 'Guide to Services' this morning. Once again an excellence publication. Well done to Rob and everyone at GWR publications.