HST to call at Melksham - 15 Feb 16?

[whole diary]

[bobm]

From Journeycheck

Alteration to the 05:09 Plymouth to London Paddington due 09:44.

This train will be diverted between Taunton and Chippenham.

This train will call additionally at Westbury, Trowbridge and Melksham.

This train will no longer call at Bridgwater, Highbridge & Burnham, Weston-super-Mare, Worle, Yatton, Nailsea & Backwell, Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa.

This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.

[Timmer]

Tweet from GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) says engineering work between Bristol and Weston is overunning with the line expected to reopen around 11am.

[Timmer]

Tweet from GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) says engineering work between Bristol and Weston is overunning with the line expected to reopen around 11am.

Now 2pm  Obviously a major issue.

[grahame]

Meanwhile at Melksham ...

First through train from Melksham to Paddington since the station re-opened in 1985?

[PhilWakely]

Seems like Melksham loses out significantly because of the overrunning engineering works between Bristol and Weston, with two return journeys between Swindon and Westbury cancelled and just that one extra [HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units))] stopper!

***Edit***
It subsequently appears that a second HST - the 0740 Paignton to Paddington - will also be calling at Melksham (at 0955)

[grahame]

Seems like Melksham loses out significantly because of the overrunning engineering works between Bristol and Weston, with two return journeys between Swindon and Westbury cancelled and just that one extra [HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units))] stopper!

***Edit***
It subsequently appears that a second HST - the 0740 Paignton to Paddington - will also be calling at Melksham (at 0955)

We've always said that the line only survived through the lean times because of its use for diversions - and that as and when such is occasionally required beyond the current capacity of the line and signalling, fair enough.    It's also a piece of joined up thinking in these circumstances, where time allows, for the diverted long distance train(s) to pick up the Westbury / Trowbridge / Melksham to Chippenham / Swindon (and vice versa) traffic - and great to see that happening this morning - thank you GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway).   Two or three got off, around 20 on at 07:50.  Let's see at 09:55

[grahame]

It subsequently appears that a second HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) - the 0740 Paignton to Paddington - will also be calling at Melksham (at 0955)

Indeed that called ... and around a further 20 people got on (kid you not!), including probably the first through passenger without change of trains from Melksham to London in 60 years!

[bobm]

I'm a little surprised the 10:00 Paddington to Paignton didn't call in the other direction after being diverted.  It would have a useful replacement for the cancelled 10:47 TransWilts service.

[Chris from Nailsea]

You'll be wanting two platforms at Melksham next! 

[eightf48544]

I would have thought a single Penryn type loop  with room for 10 car IEPs^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project. This will offer more capacity on routes, save money, give a consistent and safe service and meet customer requirements. Intended to replace HSTs.) at each end. Let's not get too ambitious.