GWR & SWR to run current timetable until May next year

[whole diary]

[RichardB]

Some minor/locally based changes possible.

Press release from the Rail Delivery Group here https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/media-centre/press-releases/2018/469774201-2018-07-09.html

[bobm]

Also noting the last paragraph. 

This announcement means that returning to a position of confirming timetables to customers 12 weeks ahead where these are altered at weekends, known as informed traveller, will take longer than previously planned. The industry will be working hard to return to the full 12 weeks ahead confirmation window as quickly as possible and hopes to do so by May 2019.

That could mean problems for people trying to book Christmas and New Year travel given the amount of work due to take place.
 

[SandTEngineer]

Glad I booked some tickets today for September...

[grahame]

From SWR^» (South Western Railway - about)

Update on timetable changes for December 2018


Since before we started the South Western Railway franchise, we have been preparing for a major timetable change in December 2018 to provide customers with access to additional services and extra capacity throughout the day.
 
We are therefore disappointed that we will not be implementing any changes to the December 2018 timetable and instead rolling over the May 2018 timetable. Preparations to deliver the extra services, capacity improvements and reduced journey times started well before we took over the SWR franchise and will continue as we are determined to deliver what our customers and stakeholders expect.
 
We are mindful of the disruption to customers that happened with other major timetable changes elsewhere in May 2018 and despite SWR’s desire to deliver the increased capacity and extra services as soon as possible to customers, it has been decided at a national level that a period of stability is needed.
 
Even without timetable changes in December 2018, we are preparing to deliver additional capacity for the benefit of customers and, over the coming weeks, will be seeking to confirm plans as to how the 90 additional Class 442 vehicles which are presently being refurbished, can be progressively introduced into service in the existing timetable to allow other trains to be cascaded elsewhere on our network. As part of the refurbishment of the Class 444/450 fleets, we will also be delivering an increase in standard class seating capacity through internal reconfiguration of these vehicles which will progressively increase capacity through to Spring 2019.
 
We will continue to work with Network Rail, the Department for Transport and insight from customers and stakeholders to implement the changes to our future timetables and ensure maximum benefit with minimal disruption to our customers.

Yours sincerely,
 
Andy Mellors
Managing Director

[broadgage]

Probably a wise decision, having looked at the shambles elsewhere recently caused by new timetables.

It would not surprise me to see significant changes postponed to beyond next May.

[Thatcham Crossing]

So does that mean that 387's (to Newbury) and 800's (on Bedwyn's) from Jan'19 is delayed, or will they just run to the current timetable?

[grahame]

So does that mean that 387's (to Newbury) and 800's (on Bedwyn's) from Jan'19 is delayed, or will they just run to the current timetable?

Yes.   But I don't know which I am saying "Yes" to.   

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have told us that electrification MUST be completed to Newbury by Christmas as they won't have enough diesel trains to run the Newbury stoppers on diesel after that point, but I do wonder if those goal posts may have moved.   In which case, was all the midweek disruption from Westbury to Reading via Pewsey, and from Westbury to Swindon via Melksham, really necessary?

[Adelante_CCT]

I would guess 387s to Newbury will still happen, some slight tinkering of the timetables/diagrams would be needed.

Assuming 802s are ready on time, along with the turn back at Bedwyn, then again no reason to not changeover Bedwyn services, simply using the existing timetable, again with a minor tweak or two.

[IndustryInsider]

A wise decision.  Allows GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) to get staff trained so we are in a position to actually operate something like the advertised timetable.

[TaplowGreen]

A wise decision.  Allows GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) to get staff trained so we are in a position to actually operate something like the advertised timetable.

Ahhhhhhh the irony! 

……….Manana, Manana - twas ever thus! 

[Surrey 455]

On a purely selfish basis, I am disappointed because my promised half hourly SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) train service on evenings and Sundays will remain hourly

[CMRail]

Good but bad..
Full IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) performance will now he delayed with all HST^▸ (High Speed Train) diagrams operated by IETs. Delays additional capacity, but helps more planning time and longer running engineering to finish.

[old original]

On a purely selfish basis, I am disappointed because my promised half hourly SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) train service on evenings and Sundays will remain hourly

...and I presume the same fate for the half hourly GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) service through Cornwall....

[IndustryInsider]

A wise decision.  Allows GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) to get staff trained so we are in a position to actually operate something like the advertised timetable.

Ahhhhhhh the irony! 

……….Manana, Manana - twas ever thus! 

I guess for me a delay is clearly the better of two negative outcomes.   

[TaplowGreen]

A wise decision.  Allows GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) to get staff trained so we are in a position to actually operate something like the advertised timetable.

Ahhhhhhh the irony! 

……….Manana, Manana - twas ever thus! 

I guess for me a delay is clearly the better of two negative outcomes.   

It's certainly the consistent outcome for anything which GWR touch.