Draft IEP Timetables Dec18/Jan19

[whole diary]

[Timmer]

I have just been told that it is being put back until December 2019. I seriously  can’t process this and how annoyed I am.

Just read this news on uk Rail Forums. Any source for this latest development?

[IndustryInsider]

The poster on there is very well informed so I would imagine it's correct.  If NR^» (Network Rail - home page) are now looking at July for Cardiff electrification (and the completion of the current electrification programme) perhaps it should come as no great shock, and GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) will have no excuses for not getting the trains and staff fully ready in time.  Very frustrating though.

[grahame]

I have just been told that it is being put back until December 2019. I seriously  can’t process this and how annoyed I am.

Just read this news on uk Rail Forums. Any source for this latest development?

It does not come as any surprise for it to be put back from May - been in the wind for September or December.  I have a different view to CharlieGCR - understand the frustration but hope the opportunity is taken to sort out the cobble together that the connecting services had become in the draft;  you may have noted 12 oopsies I reported on the TransWilts along - quite remarkable on basically a round trip shuttle train! 

[Timmer]

I’m not surprised either especially with electrification to Cardiff not expected to be complete by the Summer. I guess for the majority of the travelling public this further delay won’t make a lot of difference.

[CMRail]

September would be acceptable. I haven’t seen much of the drafts so fair enough, however it’s disappointing that the whole project is being pushed back month by month.

[marlo36]

Is anyone able to comment on the general pattern proposed?

Such as hourly - Paddington, Reading, Newbury, Westbury, Castle Cary, Taunton, Tiverton PW^▸ (Permanent Way), Exeter SD. Plus perhaps Pewsey and/or Frome calls every two hours. Differences may apply in the peaks with additional Berks and Hants calls??

All speculation on my part based on speculation I have previously read - but it might be useful to know where we are heading! West or East perhaps!

Just booked train/seat on the 1C78  8 Coach 11.03 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) to NTA^» (Newton Abbott - next trains) for the 21/02.Route is PAD, RDG^‡(resolve), C/Cary, Honiton, EXD^» (Exeter St Davids - next trains), NTA, but still not sure if it will be either a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) or IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) although confirmation states HST.

[JayMac]

1C78 is among the 13 remaining HST^▸ (High Speed Train) diagrams until at least late March.

See: http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=20878.msg255443#msg255443

Subject to availability and operational requirements on the day of course.

The diversionary route between Castle Cary and Exeter via Yeovil Pen Mill/Junction is still to be cleared for IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) in passenger service, but may be by your date of travel, which is during the closure of Whiteball tunnel between Taunton and Tiverton Parkway. That said, the booked HST diagram is still the most likely.

[SandTEngineer]

There is an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) test run planned from Laira to Axminster and return on Wednesday 09 January 2019:

5Z66
Laira T.& R.S.M.D. 0905
Exeter St.Davids 1029-1036
Exeter Central 1039-1047
Honiton 1101-1115
Axminster 1126
5Z67 1139 Axminster to Laira T.& R.S.M.D.

[bradshaw]

One previous test IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) ran over the diversionary route on Nov 29

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=20483.0

[SandTEngineer]

One previous test IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) ran over the diversionary route on Nov 29

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=20483.0

I thought it didn't make it between Exeter St.Davids and Exeter Central due to issues with the route clearance paperwork, hence the run tomorrow....

[bradshaw]

Yes, I had forgotten that.

[JayMac]

There is an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) test run planned from Laira to Axminster and return on Wednesday 09 January 2019:

5Z66
Laira T.& R.S.M.D. 0905
Exeter St.Davids 1029-1036
Exeter Central 1039-1047
Honiton 1101-1115
Axminster 1126
5Z67 1139 Axminster to Laira T.& R.S.M.D.

This ran today, presumably without issue. That should mean the final NR^» (Network Rail - home page) hurdle - operation over the Bank between Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central - has been cleared.

All systems seemingly now go for IETs to run in passenger service over the diversionary route during Whiteball tunnel closure next month.

[bradshaw]

1A88 PNZ PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) being diverted via Yeovil , due to obstruction neat Taunton.
This starts from North Pole IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) depot to form 0635 from PAD.
HST^▸ (High Speed Train) or IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)?

[IndustryInsider]

10-car IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train).

[JayMac]

Yes. Confirmed as first IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) passenger service divert via Honiton.

1A88 was sent that way after 1A87, the 1255 from Plymouth to Paddington, struck a deer near a foot crossing just past Tiverton Parkway and came to a stand with loss of air. 1A87 is a HST^▸ (High Speed Train).