When is a short-formation not a short-formation

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

The vast majority of drivers should have passed out by then, so here's hoping.

Here’s hoping indeed, and hopefully Worcester depot will be fully staffed and fully trained by then.  However, for my money they also need a healthy number of Oxford drivers trained on IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)’s, for which there is still no agreement, as there is little scope to expand IET operation without far more drivers being trained and available. 

Either that or you chuck another load of drivers at Worcester depot which has already swallowed a lot of cash and resources for very little reward.  Of course, IET operation must expand during this year as more HST^▸ (High Speed Train)’s are sent elsewhere, hence my concerns that it will be a very painful summer with regular cancellations.

[jmc85]

I travel to London most days from Charlbury. I now refuse to get the 0731 which is a turbo at the moment as I simply can’t work on it. I catch the earlier 0712 (or 0633) HST^▸ (High Speed Train) - still get a seat but it’s fairly busy.

Same goes for the 1622 back - it’s so variable that i just stay later at work to avoid a turbo

[brcw2]

Because 90% of the customers only want 10% of the answers?   We here are the 10% who seek the 90% - other put their hands over there ears at too much information!

In general terms, I'd agree with this.  However, this particular problem is one that I've repeatedly heard people ask the Cotswold Line train managers questions about, since the beginning of January.  When people have grown used to HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) and 180s, having to spend 90+ mins on 3+2 seating with inadequate heating instead is something that they don't tend to accept silently the first time it happens.  You can imagine the state some have got themselves into after being stuck with Turbos for over a month now - those who can, have changed their commute time, but that's just not an option for everyone.

[TaplowGreen]

Because 90% of the customers only want 10% of the answers?   We here are the 10% who seek the 90% - other put their hands over there ears at too much information!

In general terms, I'd agree with this.  However, this particular problem is one that I've repeatedly heard people ask the Cotswold Line train managers questions about, since the beginning of January.  When people have grown used to HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) and 180s, having to spend 90+ mins on 3+2 seating with inadequate heating instead is something that they don't tend to accept silently the first time it happens.  You can imagine the state some have got themselves into after being stuck with Turbos for over a month now - those who can, have changed their commute time, but that's just not an option for everyone.

Indeed - Cotswold line was my main context - numerous pressure groups also involved in seeking information on the Cotswold meltdown and now the Press are involved - you will note the final line "GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) did not respond to a request for comment. "

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/16038585.GWR_under_fire_after_day_of_chaos_on_services_to_and_from_Worcester/?ref=twtrec

[IndustryInsider]

...and now the Press are involved...

And certainly not before time!

[charles_uk]

When I started this thread, I didn't mention the Cotswold Line even though it was the 07:10 Moreton-in-Marsh to Paddington service that was the catalyst. But it does seem clear that some do want to know whether a particular service is going to be an HST^▸ (High Speed Train)/IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) or a Turbo - Turbos are not units you want to travel on if you're planning to be doing a bit of work, for example.

For the ordinary passenger, the printed timetable is the place to go to see what unit you are likely to get. You then look at JourneyCheck to see if there are any changes to this. Even allowing for the "fluid" situation on the Cotswold Line, there appear to be a number of Turbo-isations that are planned and established. The two that immediately spring to mind at the 07:10 MIM:PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) (the service I was picked up for referring to as being a short-formation when, apparently, it wasn't) and 17:52 Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill (and more recently the 15:22 Paddington to Great Malvern). These are services which the timetable suggests will be an HST/IET and for which the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) website offers seat reservations. However, these journeys are operated by Turbos - the only time JourneyCheck warns of a formation change is when there's a reduction from the booked Turbo. Seemingly, these medium-term changes are ones that GWR does not think it necessary to advise paying customers about.

[devonexpress]

People keep complaining about a shortage of drivers for IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)'s etc, however the first IET drivers only passed out in the summer of 2017, and whilst numbers are growing, it takes time to get through all the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) drivers, numbers are clearly short as it seems they have no standby's ready.

I'm guessing its must be to do with acceptance testing by Network Rail, as in aviation for example, British Airways began training crew 4 years before they got their first A380, whilst this might not have been possible for GWR, really they should have begun training for the IET a lot sooner, especially since they are relying even more on them now due to the cancellation of the Oxford electrification etc.

[IndustryInsider]

More to do with Hitachi being over protective of their new trains I believe.  They are also being very protective in terms of overnight stabling, which is causing GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) a few headaches as currently use of Worcester is in doubt.

[devonexpress]

More to do with Hitachi being over protective of their new trains I believe.  They are also being very protective in terms of overnight stabling, which is causing GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) a few headaches as currently use of Worcester is in doubt.

This is why it was stupid of the government to have a contract for new trains where the train company has limited control over them, I bet GWR aren't too happy about it either.

[charles_uk]

An example of why it matters has just come up on Twitter:

@GWRHelp 3.22pm Paddington to G Malvern we have  First Class reserved seats and carriage is full...only 16 seats on whole train ??

The 15:22 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains):GMV has been operating as a Turbo for several weeks now. There's nothing anywhere to say it's not an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)/HST^▸ (High Speed Train) and it's naughty of GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) to offer reservations when they know they can't be honoured.

[ChrisB]

But you need a seat reservation for an Advance. Are you suggesting they stop selling these cheap tickets

[didcotdean]

Having done a sample reservation on this service for tomorrow, the booking system clearly thinks it should be an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) as it is offering a First Class Seat reservation in coach D. Unless it is stuck right in the past and thinks it could still be a 180.

[charles_uk]

Having done a sample reservation on this service for tomorrow, the booking system clearly thinks it should be an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) as it is offering a First Class Seat reservation in coach D. Unless it is stuck right in the past and thinks it could still be a 180.

It was operated as an IET for a few weeks in the latter part of January/early February but has now reverted back to a Turbo since half-term week.

[charles_uk]

But you need a seat reservation for an Advance. Are you suggesting they stop selling these cheap tickets

Is that really how advance bookings work on Turbo operated trains? You get given a real seat reference and you don't discover it's not a real reservation until you get on the train and try to find your seat? Wow.

[paul7575]

But you need a seat reservation for an Advance. Are you suggesting they stop selling these cheap tickets

SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) do advances without seat reservations, and they definitely aren’t the only TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) who do this...