2018 cancellation and amendment log

[whole diary]

[bobm]

Good to see Journeycheck showing the reinstatement rather than just deleting it from the cancelled list.

Note also the 12:47 ex Swindon will terminate at Westbury and not continue to Frome with the return, rather obviously, also starting from Westbury.

[grahame]

Today ..

14:04 Frome to Swindon cancelled (missed that one of journey check as I was down at the station TRYING to travel!)

15:18 Swindon to Westbury due 16:01
15:18 Swindon to Westbury due 16:01 will be cancelled.
This is due to urgent repairs to the track

.

These things happen - but again awful communication;  Seven people at Melksham Station at 14:20 ready for the 14:29 to Swindon.   Regular user was speaking on the help point when I got to the station ... left his number and they called him back to say a taxi would be sent.  Half an hour later (!) a couple phoned in and were told that nothing had been arranged, but they would get onto it now, and a few minutes later I called in (to check it really was in the system) and to ask when the taxis would arrive - was given an e.t.a. of 15:30.   When I enquired why it takes so long, told it's because of the traffic and road conditions!!

Anyway - about 5 past 3, taxi turns up and three school kids get out and walk away from the station.   I ask the driver if she's rail replacement and taking people on to Chippenham - yes, she's rail replacement but no, she can't take people on because she's got another job in Trowbridge.   Quick call around, and one person is for Bristol so put him in that taxi back to Trowbridge.   About ten past, another taxi turns up / rail replacement from Trowbridge and he CAN take people on to Chippenham; four go with him.   One person has walked off, leaves just me ... I phone and cancel my appointment and come back home to log another epic rail replacement failure.

[bobm]

As a postscript...

I was at Swindon and there were two people sitting in the waiting room by platform 2 biding their time for the 15:18 and hadn't spotted the cancellation notice on the screen in the corner.  They were heading for Melksham so I suggested they crossed over to platform 4 and took the next train to Chippenham.   They seemed a little reluctant to move so I am not sure if they took the advice or not.

[grahame]

As a postscript...

I was at Swindon and there were two people sitting in the waiting room by platform 2 biding their time for the 15:18 and hadn't spotted the cancellation notice on the screen in the corner.  They were heading for Melksham so I suggested they crossed over to platform 4 and took the next train to Chippenham.   They seemed a little reluctant to move so I am not sure if they took the advice or not.

Each person let down is a personal story ...

Two people headed for a hospital appointment in Swindon that they were going to miss ...

First time users - first trip out by train to Melksham having just given up driving and looking to get home ...

[bobm]

14:04 Frome to Swindon due 15:03

14:04 Frome to Swindon due 15:03 has been cancelled.
This is due to the train for this service having broken down.

Further Information

Due to the train for this service having broken down the Melksham single line is closed. Customers for Melksham are requested to change at Trowbridge for taxi replacement. Customers at Melksham are requested to wait for Taxis, which will convey them to Chippenham for onward rail travel.

Customers for all other stations are requested to circulate via Bath Spa and wait for the next available service.

For more detailed information please contact a member of station staff or make use of the Customer Help Point systems available.

Please allow more time for your intended journey.

Last Updated:27/03/2018 14:19

15:18 Swindon to Westbury due 16:01

15:18 Swindon to Westbury due 16:01 will be cancelled.

This is due to the train for this service having broken down.

[grahame]

Train Cancellations
15:00 Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington due 16:40
15:18 Swindon to Westbury due 16:01

If the 15:00 to Bristol to London is cancelled and that should connect into the 15:35 at Chippenham, makes sense if you have that cancelled too as no-one will be in Chippenham to make the connection anyway 

So glad I caught the earlier train 'cos it was late!

[bobm]

11:47 Westbury to Swindon due 12:34

11:47 Westbury to Swindon due 12:34 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

12:47 Swindon to Frome due 13:41

12:47 Swindon to Frome due 13:41 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

14:04 Frome to Swindon due 15:03

14:04 Frome to Swindon due 15:03 will be started from Westbury.
It will no longer call at Frome.
This is due to a fault on this train.

[grahame]

11:47 Westbury to Swindon due 12:34

11:47 Westbury to Swindon due 12:34 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

etc

At least that's the service that's followed by another one about half an hour later!

[grahame]

15:06 Westbury to Swindon due 15:50
15:06 Westbury to Swindon due 15:50 is being delayed at Westbury.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

[bobm]

Finally left 41 minutes late.

[bobm]

19:08 Portsmouth Harbour to Swindon due 21:44

19:08 Portsmouth Harbour to Swindon due 21:44 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham and Swindon.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

[grahame]

19:08 Portsmouth Harbour to Swindon due 21:44

19:08 Portsmouth Harbour to Swindon due 21:44 will be terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham and Swindon.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Portsmouth - Cardiff is Portsmouth - Swindon today; Bath to Bristol closed.  Just that one cancelled via TransWilts so far, but Swindon to Bath shuttles decimated, and significant cancellations on Westbury to Bath shuttles.

[Timmer]

I expect GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) will produce a ‘Line Update’ for services (if you can use the word) to/from Bath Spa on Journey Check once they’ve finished listing all the cancelled and altered services. Very disappointing and going back to the debate of why produce a revised timetable if you’ve absolutely no hope of running it?

[grahame]

I expect GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) will produce a ‘Line Update’ for services (if you can use the word) to/from Bath Spa on Journey Check once they’ve finished listing all the cancelled and altered services. Very disappointing and going back to the debate of why produce a revised timetable if you’ve absolutely no hope of running it?

Four hours after those cancellations were announced and no "line update".

Sense for an achievable timetable would be hourly Swindon - Portsmouth change at Trowbridge for Bath Spa, Hourly Bath Spa to Westbury with extensions to Weymouth, with London to Devon / Cornwall trains with extra stops at Westbury for Bath Passengers to Reading and London.   Biggest issue?  Accessible interchange at Trowbridge.  Some trains may need more that 3 carriages, but that won't effect crew needs on the types in use.

[TaplowGreen]

Were you aware of this one?

08:15 Westbury to Swindon due 09:04


08:15 Westbury to Swindon due 09:04 will be terminated at Chippenham.
It will no longer call at Swindon.
It has been delayed at Westbury and is now 29 minutes late.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.