Avocet Line - Exeter to Exmouth - incidents and events; services, stock and related improvements

[whole diary]

[vacman]

all 3 car 150's would sort the problems.

[TonyK]

Isn't Topsham double tracked with 2 platforms? It being 12 minutes from Exmuff, and 8 minutes from Polsloe Bridge, that could mean that the idea to reopen a second Exmuff platform would be enough to run 4 or 5 tph, crossing at Topsham, if demand calls for it.

[DavidBrown]

Isn't Topsham double tracked with 2 platforms? It being 12 minutes from Exmuff, and 8 minutes from Polsloe Bridge, that could mean that the idea to reopen a second Exmuff platform would be enough to run 4 or 5 tph, crossing at Topsham, if demand calls for it.

The problem there is that you're not accounting for the proposed new stations (two between Topsham and Polsloe, possibly one at Exmouth), which would immediately rule that out.

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

They already pass at topsham.... If a loop was put in at Lympstone where would the extra services pass between topsham and Exmouth junction? In other words two loops would be needed

[Milky Bar Kid]

Considering that Exmouth WILL be developed in the near future I can't see the logic of not bringing platform 2 back there, also NR^» (Network Rail - home page) should press on with plans to double the line from Exmouth junction to Digby as a priority, the land is there for them to use, a second platform at Exmouth is the cheapest alternative at present to get things moving to a 20 minute service.

[John R]

They already pass at topsham.... If a loop was put in at Lympstone where would the extra services pass between topsham and Exmouth junction? In other words two loops would be needed

The minimum additional infrastructure you'd need to run a 20 minutes service would be a loop, probably south of Polsoe Bridge, together with a second platform at Exmouth, accessed by two parallel single lines for around a mile (to save on point work).  That would have the disadvantage of trains idling at Exmouth for around 15 minutes, but would mean that the service could fit around passing at the existing loop at Topsham.

Anything more frequent than 20 minutes would really need double track, with the exception of the last couple of miles into Exmouth.

With the increase in traffic using the new station at Newcourt, what will capacity be like on the northern section in the rush hour. I though the service was already pretty heavily used.

[bobm]

From Journeycheck

Owing to an unusually large passenger flow between Paignton and Exmouth trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines.
Impact:
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 20 mins or revised at short notice. An estimate for the resumption of normal services will be provided as soon as the problem has been fully assessed.

The new half hourly service between Exeter and Exmouth is being well used but trains I have seen have been full and standing and struggling to keep time because of longer station stops. One round trip was cancelled because of staff problems but others have been terminated short at either Exeter or Newton Abbot to try to get things back on time.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the First Great Western press release:

Improved Exeter Christmas shopping

First Great Western is to run seven additional Sunday train services each way between Exmouth and Exeter St Davids, providing a half hourly train service for Christmas shoppers.

First Great Western General Manager West David Crome said: ^First Great Western is committed to supporting the communities we serve. Working with Devon County Council, we are delighted to be able to provide these additional services. The improved service will make using the train much more attractive in the run up to Christmas, and our fares are also good value when compared with the price of driving and parking.^

Off-Peak return travel between Exmouth and Exeter, for a group of four, is just ^8 (terms and conditions apply).

The extra trains run on Sundays from 17 November until 22 December inclusive. For full details, visit the First Great Western website at www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk.

The enhanced Sunday service is being provided thanks to support from Devon County Council.

[TonyK]

23 trains each way on a Sunday, with the last ex Exmuff at 2359 is an amazing service. I hope every train pays its way.

[eightf48544]

23 trains each way on a Sunday, with the last ex Exmuff at 2359 is an amazing service. I hope every train pays its way.

I know the "Bean Counters don't like it but every train doesn't have to pay its way. If the revenue from running 23 each way exceeds the running costs and overheads then the service overall should be profitable. It's called "cross subsisdy" and I know it's frowned upon but my view is that if you take out the unprofitable services you'll almost certainly reduce the overall revenue and thus also reduce the profit. Besides if you have to run a  train to Exmuff then you might as well run it back in service as you already have the crew. I'd except 23:39 as can't think there would much trade from Exmuff to Exeter after midnight.You only have to look  at Melksham to see that  by drastically cutting the number of trains they also drastically cut the overall revenue the line generated. Hopefully the improved  service will greatly increase revenue.

[TonyK]

I agree and understand, eightf48544. It would still be good for every train to cover its costs.

[Andrew1939 from West Oxon]

I think the train operators are very well informed that probably half of train services do not cover their single journey costs. This is because travel, particularly Monday to Friday, is very often mainly in one direction resulting in trains being filled to capacity one way but those trains have to return to from whence they started to continue service. Just look at peak hour morning trains into London and compare the ridership with trains departing London, As everyone knows the flows then reverses over the evening peak. This situation is repeated all over the country for rail services to large cities including Exeter. There is a practical problem in that most lower cost fares do not differentiate between those trains full to overflowing and those with plenty of unfilled seats, such as the genral use of the 09.30 time point before off-peak fares are generally available.

[julian]

Can anyone say why the line has been closed, and when it is likely to reopen?

[grahame]

Services resumed with the arrival of the 14:18 from Exeter St Davids, which left again for Exeter at 14:31

Reports were quite 'light' in giving reasons, but I recall seeing that there may have been a tree or two blown down onto or near the track, causing the earlier trains to turn back from Exeter at Topsham

[grahame]

Update - I notice that the reason given for the 09:45 from Exeter not running beyond Topsham ...

This service was cancelled between Topsham and Exmouth due to high winds (XW).