Do we regard FGW in a different light to Wessex (Re: Catering Facilities)

[whole diary]

[Jim]

I used to quite like getting the 06.30 Gloucs - Penzance. Not only was it a niceish time from BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI)) (0729) it was nearly always a 158, and quite a hot working for a TPE^▸ (Trans Pennine Express) one at that! FIne, it wasn't exactly a fast service, but I liked itas it wasn't that busy, till Exeter anyway. The other good thing was, it had an ATE in Cornwall on it!

[vacman]

I used to quite like getting the 06.30 Gloucs - Penzance. Not only was it a niceish time from BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI)) (0729) it was nearly always a 158, and quite a hot working for a TPE^▸ (Trans Pennine Express) one at that! FIne, it wasn't exactly a fast service, but I liked itas it wasn't that busy, till Exeter anyway. The other good thing was, it had an ATE in Cornwall on it!

That service now runs from Exmouth to Penzance, I think theres still an ATE on it now?? in Wessex days that service was a 150, used to return as the 1308 Penzance to Exeter St Davids via Paignton! And yes I do mean via Paignton! used to take about 4 hours with two reversals and stopped at Newton Abbot, Torre and Torquay twice!!

[Jim]

I used to quite like getting the 06.30 Gloucs - Penzance. Not only was it a niceish time from BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI)) (0729) it was nearly always a 158, and quite a hot working for a TPE^▸ (Trans Pennine Express) one at that! FIne, it wasn't exactly a fast service, but I liked itas it wasn't that busy, till Exeter anyway. The other good thing was, it had an ATE in Cornwall on it!

That service now runs from Exmouth to Penzance, I think theres still an ATE on it now?? in Wessex days that service was a 150, used to return as the 1308 Penzance to Exeter St Davids via Paignton! And yes I do mean via Paignton! used to take about 4 hours with two reversals and stopped at Newton Abbot, Torre and Torquay twice!!

Haven't done it since FGW^▸ (First Great Western) introduced those bloody rover restrictions on FOSW^▸ (Freedom of (the) South West Rover)!!!!!!!!

It was booked 158, it did *digs something out*:

CARDIFF CANTON SIDINGS 03+48 5G03
GLOUCESTER 05+06 06.30 2C07
BRISTOL TEMPLE MEADS 07.24 07.26 2C07
EXETER ST DAVIDS 08.59 09.11 2C07
06.10 Birmingham-Exeter used to connect
PLYMOUTH 10.24 10.28 2C07
PENZANCE 12.27 13.19 1C73
The 07.30 Padd-PZ used to arrive just over an hour after, despite being nearly 2 hours behind at Bristol!
PLYMOUTH 15.16 15.31 1C73
NEWTON ABBOT 16.17 16.22 1C73
PAIGNTON 16.41 16.54 2F47
EXETER ST DAVIDS 17.44 17.50 2F47
EXMOUTH 18.20 18.24 2B27
EXETER ST DAVIDS 18.49 18.54 2B27
BARNSTAPLE 20.02 20.20 2B28
EXETER ST DAVIDS 21.26 21+30 5B28
EXETER ST DAVIDS FP 21+35

[Conner]

AND we have the longest running West service running into the county. Bristol-Penzance so how come that is more often than not a 150(both trains).

Yeah, BUT how many people actually use the service all the way? you don't ever see any long distance tickets on that service, it's basicly 3 local services put into one.

I know, but when it ran the opposite way, I've used it to Taunton, and was going to use it to Bristol but it got cut in the timetable change. No wonder no-one uses it long distance, its a unit (150 probably), and leaves at 5:50 or 6:30 at Bristol.

Well who really wants to travel from Bristol to Cornwall at that time of morning? especially when there is an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) from Bristol at about 0930, when the "up"train did run to Bristol then it was a 158 but theres no need now it only goes to Exeter, and only to Newton Abbot from May. TBH^▸ (to be honest) 150's are far better suited to Cornwall stoppers, there are only two units that actually connect with long distance services and those two aren't that busy anyway, 150's kepp time better due to them having sliding doors rather that plug doors that take ages to close and they're more reliable!

I agree 150's are suited to Cornish Services but I liked the services to Bristol at sensible times. Why has the service you talk about been cut back to Newton Abbot, I know that is where it connects to London, its usually a 150 now even though its booked 158, i've seen 150/1 a couple of times aswell.

[Chris from Nailsea]

(FGW^▸ (First Great Western) also shoot themselves in by sticking "transforming travel" on all of their antimacessars.)

I was only thinking last night that First really do need to come up with a new slogan as transforming travel seems a bit unfortunate with the way they have transformed 'Wessex' services into something that not many people like.

Oh, the "transforming travel" slogan is not actually advertised on any FGW brandings (just as well really I suppose!).

For the benefit of those who may not have noticed, I am the irritating git who has been using 'transforming travel' as my byline for some time now ... and I shall continue to do so, until things improve! 

By the way, FGW do use it on their branding: see http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=93

[Ollie]

It's a First Group branding, it's not FGW^▸ (First Great Western) specific.

[Chris from Nailsea]

I know, Ollie, and it's not personal!    

[Ollie]

It's just to clarify Chris, mainly because you stated it's on FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Branding but you linked to a page on FGW which is About First Group.

Not a problem either way

[Chris from Nailsea]

No, but you are trying to transform travel for the better: http://www.iworkforfgw.com/blog/ for example!

[Lee]

No, but you are trying to transform travel for the better: http://www.iworkforfgw.com/blog/ for example!

I'd go along with that. Its an excellent blog that I check regularly and have recommended to others.

[Ollie]

Thanks Lee and Chris, always good to know it's appreciated. I didn't realise it made a difference. I realise lately it hasn't been that active, but I am starting to make more time for it, so hopefully it will end up being a good resource.

[smokey]

 Oh, the "transforming travel" slogan is not actually advertised on any FGW^▸ (First Great Western) brandings (just as well really I suppose!).

It's a good Job First Great Western don't use FIRST transforming travel on their brandings,

How long before some wag came up with FIRST TRANSFORMING TRAVEL INTO A NIGHTMARE

Remember when BA^» (British Airways - about) came out with "Breakfast In London, Lunch in New York" fine untill someone just happened to ADD^▸ (Automatic Dropping Device) to a poster "Luggage in Malta"

[Jim]

 Oh, the "transforming travel" slogan is not actually advertised on any FGW^▸ (First Great Western) brandings (just as well really I suppose!).

It's a good Job First Great Western don't use FIRST transforming travel on their brandings,

How long before some wag came up with FIRST TRANSFORMING TRAVEL INTO A NIGHTMARE

Remember when BA^» (British Airways - about) came out with "Breakfast In London, Lunch in New York" fine untill someone just happened to ADD^▸ (Automatic Dropping Device) to a poster "Luggage in Malta"

Like FGW posters, the visit Bristol 1 was good:
"Why go anywhere else to get mugged"

Also, I remember on the FGW improvments to units one, there was a lot of single figure numbers!

I still quite like http://www.scott2007.fotopic.net/p44573822.html .!!!!!