More dangerous overcrowding to the Westcountry

[whole diary]

[nickswift99]

"Recent passenger surveys show that only a very small percentage use the sleeper service. Most passengers would prefer one of our improved faster daytime services.
Others would prefer an at seat sleeping service"

I suspect that the survey has already been done, in secret of course so as to produce the correct result.

We asked 200 Bentley owners around Rock:

"Which do you prefer?
a) A slow overnight sleeper train which is often late or cancelled?
b) A fast daytime ride in one of our new IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train), which could make it from Cornwall* to London in under 3¾ hours^†?

*From western side of Albert Bridge
^†If it didn't stop on the way"

I guess there were no questions about catering in this survey?

[broadgage]

No need, the survey to justify the removal of buffets, and the de facto removal of catering was done years ago.

[IndustryInsider]

 

[Jamsdad]

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) tried dodgy surveys once and got a big slap from Cornwall Council, Cornwall LEP^» (Local Enterprise Partnership - about) ,  Visit Cornwall, the Bishop of Truro and the rail travelling Cornish public. Don't mess with Kernow!

[grahame]

"Which do you prefer?
a) A slow overnight sleeper train which is often late or cancelled?
b) A fast daytime ride in one of our new IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train), which could make it from Cornwall to London in under 3¾ hours

Of course Penzance and Plymouth are different places and two hours apart.  Personally (i.e. an insignificant sample) I would happily catch an early train / late train if I were headed to / from Plymouth, but prefer a sleeper if headed for Penzance.

Breaking all the rules of statistics and logic in a most horrid way, I have added up all the journeys in Cornwall from Main Line stations and imagined the Royal Albert Bridge on the right of this diagram.  My point is that actually only a tiny proportion of traffic going in to Cornwall is going to the far end.  I expect RichardB could give us far better figures - of 100 people on an average train, how many are going to ... Truro, West thereof, etc.



P.S. These diagrams might be far more realistic for lines such as Barnstaple, Exmouth, Newquay and Gunnislake where journeys within the branch are limited in numbers.

[grahame]

P.S. These diagrams might be far more realistic for lines such as Barnstaple, Exmouth, Newquay and Gunnislake where journeys within the branch are limited in numbers.

Devon branches - diagrams at http://gwr.passenger.chat/23869

Cornwall branches (inc. Gunnislake) - diagrams at http://gwr.passenger.chat/23868

[Jamsdad]

Breaking all the rules of statistics and logic in a most horrid way, I have added up all the journeys in Cornwall from Main Line stations and imagined the Royal Albert Bridge on the right of this diagram.  My point is that actually only a tiny proportion of traffic going in to Cornwall is going to the far end.  I expect RichardB could give us far better figures - of 100 people on an average train, how many are going to ... Truro, West thereof, etc.



Absolutely correct. This is why London trains stop at nearly every station in Cornwall and why the feeder branch lines are important. Penzance is not the main destination!

[CyclingSid]

Has the definition of "Full and standing" changed under Covid. A train was announced into Reading yesterday as "Full and standing". Probably Worcester train about 10:15, I was going in the other direction and not paying full attention.

[bobm]

Not sure but there were some shortforms from London Paddington yesterday following an early morning fatality in South Wales.

[grahame]

Has the definition of "Full and standing" changed under Covid.

"Full" may have changed ... don't think that "standing" can be any different.   But I would not be surprised if the term "full and standing" is being (mis)used to indicate a train at or beyond it's socially distanced capacity, knowing that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are monitoring against that new "full" limit.

[TonyK]

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) tried dodgy surveys once and got a big slap from Cornwall Council, Cornwall LEP^» (Local Enterprise Partnership - about) ,  Visit Cornwall, the Bishop of Truro and the rail travelling Cornish public. Don't mess with Kernow!

Being bashed by a Bishop is a new twist.

[Thatcham Crossing]

Being bashed by a Bishop is a new twist

Think that might be a comment for another type of forum  !!

[bobm]

Since they four tracked Filton Bank and he “retired” our Tony has had far too much time on his hands.   

[TaplowGreen]

Anyone from the Forum catch a train to the South West yesterday?

I heard that there were 40 mile queues on the Southbound M5 near Bristol and was wondering if the trains heading for Devon and Cornwall were similarly loaded?

[PhilWakely]

Anyone from the Forum catch a train to the South West yesterday?

I heard that there were 40 mile queues on the Southbound M5 near Bristol and was wondering if the trains heading for Devon and Cornwall were similarly loaded?

Not sure about yesterday, but observing a few long distance services [in both directions] at Langstone Rock, Dawlish Warren this morning (Saturday) [whilst waiting for the passing Midland Pullman], both XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) and GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) services appeared to be very heavily loaded. The local Paignton-Exmouth services were pretty much standing room only.