Severn Beach Line; trains, performance, tickets and usage

[whole diary]

[johnneyw]

Had a go on the new turbos today. Pleasantly surprised to see they were already in the new GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) livery inside and out. They feel and sound very different.  I can echo the previous comments about delays. While waiting for the 15.34 from Redland to TM^▸ (Train Manager, or possibly Ticket Machine, depending on context) the arrival indicator announced the preceding service to Avonmouth/Severn Beach cancelled and the service went though Redland without stopping a few mins later. My TM service was about 5 mins late with no apparent ticket staff but 3 staff in the rear drivers compartment.
Just one ticket seller on platform 3 at TM too.
Return 17.13 service was running about 17 mins behind schedule. I decided to ask the guard if it would stop at Redland though.
Looks like a few teething problems but that is surely to be expected.

[JayMac]

johneyw. I was the delayed 1713 to SVB too! Sat right at the front. From where I didn't hear the announcement that the service was turning back at Avonmouth. GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) attempting to reduce the delays that have dogged the Severn Beach Line all day.  My plan was to go to St Andrew's Road and take a picture or two. Then return to my car at Shirehampton. Instead I alighted at Shire and have driven to St Andrew's Road.

Turning the 1713 back at Avonmouth has meant an hours delay for passenger on it who wanted St Andrews Road and Severn Beach. A substantial number at that time of day.

[johnneyw]

BNM, I decided to make the best of the delay and jumped on the 17.09 to Lawrence Hill to dive into Lidl for a couple of things then join the delayed 17.13 from there. I've got accustomed to what I can buy from Lidl in 15 mins over the years!☺

BTW^▸ (by the way), did you manage to get any photos to post?

[chuffed]

As it happened I was on the 1405 to Avon mofe as the automated voice kept saying Shy yurr Hampton sounded a bit odd too! . Apart from a minutes unpleasant vertical juddering at Sea Mills....thought someone was pile driving the viaduct...it was a very pleasant journey. No ticket inspections, tho I saw the guard at least 6 times. I thought the interior looked, felt and smelt brand new. altho closer inspection  revealed one or two minor blemishes. Good numbers at Redland,Clifton Down.and for the 1515 from Temple Meads back to Severn Beach... the general expression was one of disbelief !

[Adelante_CCT]

johneyw. I was the delayed 1713 to SVB too!

Now bnm, I know you say you have a big nose, and it has been mentioned in the past by yourself/other forum members that you may not be the slimmest person in the world, but to say you are the size of a 3 car turbo, is surely pushing it a bit! 

[JayMac]

johneyw. I was the delayed 1713 to SVB too!

Now bnm, I know you say you have a big nose, and it has been mentioned in the past by yourself/other forum members that you may not be the slimmest person in the world, but to say you are the size of a 3 car turbo, is surely pushing it a bit! 

Missing. One preposition.

Thanks Adelante! 

Are you the size of a Class 180? 

BTW^▸ (by the way), did you manage to get any photos to post?

I'll post those shortly. Just need to have a mini rant on another board...

[Kempis]

I was on the 8.16 from Clifton Down this morning. GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) staff were in attendance on the platform handing out leaflets promoting the new trains and holding trays with what may have been pastries (they were mostly covered by the leaflets and I wasn't actually offered one). The journey seemed smoother than the usual 150, but we were 20 minutes late arriving at Temple Meads. Oddly, while the indicator at Platform 1 at Clifton Down showed the 8.16 to Avonmouth as cancelled, we waited to enter the single-line section at Redland as usual, and were passed by another turbo. Perhaps it was running non-stop to Avonmouth to make up time.

Returning on the 18.47, I bagged a seat in a declassified first-class compartment, thanks to bobm's tip. It seemed a little incongruous to be travelling along the Beach line in a leather seat, but the extra space and table made for a comfortable journey, especially as there was only one other passenger there. I wonder how long it will take before the regulars catch on and the compartments fill up quickly. The speed of the train seemed slightly slower than usual, and we were 7 minutes late arriving at Clifton Down.

As has been pointed out elsewhere, it will be most welcome having three carriages on the hitherto two-carriage 18.03 from Temple Meads. I catch that train occasionally and I'm not sure I've ever succeeded in getting a seat.

[johnneyw]

I would like to hear from regular users on the more crowded former 2 carriage services how things are now that there are 3. I'm also wondering if this will gradually encourage more onto these services, as I suspect they will. If so, will the continued cascade be able to supply an extra carriage or are other priorities going to prevent this?

[JayMac]

Here are some photos I took this afternoon/evening of the Class 166s on the Severn Beach Line:

I parked up at Shirehampton, my old stamping ground, for the 1607 to Bristol TM^▸ (Train Manager, or possibly Ticket Machine, depending on context).


Arrived at Bristol TM, 16 late. How does one board through the front set of doors without commiting a byelaw offence?


A pint of shandy in Boney Parts then the 1713 to St Andrew's Road. Departed 17 late.


Due to late departure didn't make it to St Andrew's Road by train. Learnt from RealTime Trains en route that the service was turning back at Avonmouth. No PA^▸ (Public Address (broadcast loudspeaker announcements) or Passenger Assist (railway staff providing physical assistance to passengers with mobility issues), depending on context) in front carriage. Bailed at Shirehampton and jumped in car.


Drove to St Andrew's Road.


Then drove back to Clifton Down.

[grahame]

Arrived at Bristol TM^▸ (Train Manager, or possibly Ticket Machine, depending on context), 16 late. How does one board through the front set of doors without commiting a byelaw offence?

It's un-necessary to board through the front doors as you can walk through.  More to the point, are you instructed not to leave the train through the rear doors on arrival to avoid committing an offence (and I note the offence is not in getting off the train, but it passing the board - so technically you could get off, realise, get back on and walk through the train ...).

Ah - too early in the morning to get pedantic, isn't it?   I'm sure the signage will be adjusted some time!

[Noggin]

Looking very smart, now all we need is a few quid to redouble it and hang the electric string ;-)

[ChrisB]

I would like to hear from regular users on the more crowded former 2 carriage services how things are now that there are 3. I'm also wondering if this will gradually encourage more onto these services, as I suspect they will. If so, will the continued cascade be able to supply an extra carriage or are other priorities going to prevent this?

Do you mean an extra, extra carriage (ie a fourth?) Coz that won't happen.

[phile]

Seems to be that the thread title is incorrect.    Should be 166s not 165s

[John R]

I would like to hear from regular users on the more crowded former 2 carriage services how things are now that there are 3. I'm also wondering if this will gradually encourage more onto these services, as I suspect they will. If so, will the continued cascade be able to supply an extra carriage or are other priorities going to prevent this?

Note that previously the arrival into BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) at 0758 was usually 3 cars, so the increase in capacity for that service will be less dramatic.

[Adelante_CCT]

What's happened to the replaced 15Xs, will they act as extra depot cover for failed services or will these be used to strengthen other Bristol/Exeter area commuter services?

I think it may have been mentioned that a particular service from A to B could do with being strengthened, I can't remember the location but I think it departs from A at something like 17:36, and is possibly the first service on that route for over 2 hours? As I say I think such a service exists and has possibly been mentioned on this forum before, but I could be wrong!