Shortage of rolling stock since September 2017 - ongoing problems, and subsequent discussion

[whole diary]

[ellendune]

I was thinking about 'reserve' trains from the customer's point of view which doesn't always feature highly for GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway). And to a certain extent why would it with the way income and penalties are calculated. Thinking of them in terms of keeping trains moving, crews in the right place and avoiding a domino effect it make more sense for the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) but until the penalties out weight the costs I can't really see it happening.

Ahh but that would cost the government money and clause 2 of our unwritten constitution would say if it was written that government must always pay the minimum cost for anything regardless of whether that costs the country more  and even if it would end up costing the government more  . 

 

[ChrisB]

And where does the Government get its money from - you & I the fare payers/taxpayers

[1st fan]

Has anyone else noticed how Joirneycheck is failing to keep up with the number of HST^▸ (High Speed Train) replacements and short-formed trains?  After several miserable experiences I now check the Train Formation Changes section but have recently been on several 3-car turbos replacing HST’s at peak time that aren’t featured on the site.
Are the changes really last minute, which I doubt given it must be that formation for a period of the day, or has GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) stopped tracking this issue?

Example being tonight’s 17.49 to Worcester which is deeply unpleasant.

I can imagine having been on a 3 car Turbo from Moreton In Marsh that was as full as I've seen carriages on London Underground. That was because the booked HST had a fault if you believed the official line and because they didn't have enough HST drivers working on a Sunday if you believed the Train manager.

[ellendune]

And where does the Government get its money from - you & I the fare payers/taxpayers

Of course.  But

a) the chepest price is sometimes more expensive; and   
b) the cost to the country as a whole (whoever pays) is not always thought about these days - it may save the country money for government to provide or procure a service rather than individuals.   

[Electric train]

And where does the Government get its money from - you & I the fare payers/taxpayers

Of course.  But

a) the chepest price is sometimes more expensive; and   
b) the cost to the country as a whole (whoever pays) is not always thought about these days - it may save the country money for government to provide or procure a service rather than individuals.   

Also UK^▸ (United Kingdom) PLC hates investing in infrastructure, the expectation is "industry & business" should be benevolent enough to fund it ............. after according to UK PLC it is industry & business that benefits from it

[Tim]

With no guarantee of any spot-hire, the daily rates must be astronomical?

Agreed.  But keeping a few trains back from the scrapheap would be far cheaper. 

But I suspect that it would not be in the ROSCOs^» (Rolling Stock Owning Company - about)' interests to have cheap spare trains of any age kicking around.  Keeping trains in short supply keep their prices high.   

[Sixty3Closure]

6 coaches on the 06.53 from Twyford this morning but 3 of them out of action due to a coolant leak from the engine which is a new one for me.

All got a bit bad tempered at Maidenhead.

[martyjon]

Met a former fitter from SPM^▸ (St Philip's Marsh (Bristol depot)) earlier this morning and in course of conversation mentioned about poor services lately.

His words, 'Honestly you've got to hear it to believe it. Two class 150 sprinters out of service awaiting a wheelset change on one vehicle. Cant split the two sets and temporarily form a good set with the two goodvehicles because one set belongs to Angel Trains and tother set is Porterbrooks.

[Timmer]

His words, 'Honestly you've got to hear it to believe it. Two class 150 sprinters out of service awaiting a wheelset change on one vehicle. Cant split the two sets and temporarily form a good set with the two goodvehicles because one set belongs to Angel Trains and tother set is Porterbrooks.

'National Rail - Britain's Railways Working Together' What tosh!

[welshman]

At what point does "more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time" cease to be a correct statement?  The GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) JourneyCheck reports dozens of amended train formations every day.  There were 28 when I looked just now and about 50 the other morning.

I think they should be honest and report "as many trains as usual needing repairs at the same time". 

[bobm]

17:42 London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa due 19:47
Facilities on the 17:42 London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa due 19:47.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 6 coaches instead of 8.
Last Updated:07/12/2017 17:11

HST^▸ (High Speed Train) missing coaches C and E.  Keep losing them at this rate and it could go to Cornwall.... 

[Worcester_Passenger]

At one stage JourneyCheck was reporting the 17:49 from Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill as being formed of 6 coaches instead of 8 - but it's now down to a cosy 2 coaches instead of 8.

[didcotdean]

17:42 London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa due 19:47
Facilities on the 17:42 London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa due 19:47.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 6 coaches instead of 8.
Last Updated:07/12/2017 17:11

HST^▸ (High Speed Train) missing coaches C and E.  Keep losing them at this rate and it could go to Cornwall.... 

I encountered a 6 coach HST set last week.

Chiltern are also regularly short these days from "more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time".

[ChrisB]

At one stage JourneyCheck was reporting the 17:49 from Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill as being formed of 6 coaches instead of 8 - but it's now down to a cosy 2 coaches instead of 8.

See the post above yours....it was nicked to form the 1742 to Cheltenham.
Seems as though the South Cotswolds trumps the North Cotswolds!
(Maybe the 2car turbo isn't cleared on South Cotswolds...)

[NickB]

The 18.18 Paddington to Oxford is former of 3 rather than 6 coaches this evening due to a broken down train. Sadly no surprise there but what did interest me is that Maidenhead (first calling point) has been struck from the list. All other stations will be served as normal.
As anyone familiar with this service will attest, it is the busiest service for Maidenhead passengers of the evening peak. Perhaps 80% of passengers disembark there and it is always full and standing.
Has this train had Maidenhead struck from its calling points in order to avoid the overcrowding that would ensue on the remaining 3 coaches?  If so that is bad form in my opinion.