If so will SWR» ever return these trains to Bristol?
To "Joe Public", who operates the trains and which depot they come from is less than key; many passengers probably couldn't tell you who's train they're on as they travel from (say) Bath to Bristol - is it
GWR▸ , SWR or
XC▸ ? If the Williams review is published and if changes are implemented, goodness knows what we end up with. I certainly hope that we retain a ticketing system where the normal ticket is valid on the next train - whoever's running it, and we don't have multiple operators competing with each other to the extent that each have their own sales channel selling only products for their own trains and the trains of anyone they choose to partner with.
Now ... the question I would be asking is "Will through trains from Bradford-on-Avon / Trowbridge / Warminster to London return".
I would love to see a clock face timetable on the main line via Bristol and Southampton, with minimum 2 trains per hour and well spaced on all sections, and calls at all stations at least hourly with good connections. Here's the sort of thing in each hour
Logic of operation is for diagrams starting in the south to be SWR / Salisbury run, and diagrams starting in the north to be GWR / Bristol run. Lots of caveats - how to get it to work northbound too to start with ... and whether to divide the train from Bristol at Salisbury with a portion on to Waterloo, or at Fareham with a portion on to Brighton. Probably still start the Portsmouth train at Cardiff. Weymouth train to start at Avonmouth, Frome train to start at Portishead. Flip the train from Swindon to re-route Salisbury - Romsey - Eastleigh - Southampton - Fawley. Capacity interventions needed - dynamic loop between Thingley and Melksham (single lead junction at Thingley and double from there to Dunch Lane. Also look at issues on Heart of Wessex where loops don't allow hourly, capacity work at Westbury. Sensible layovers at run ends also need a look, as do the nightmare of interaction with other services as these trains cross the main lines radiating out from London.
How far do you look ahead though? Pull the Paddington train 4 minutes earlier and add a 12:08 stopper that after Bath carries on to Swindon. That gives a near-20 minute metro service calling at St Annes Park, Keynsham, Saltford, Oldfield Park, and Bath Spa, hourly on to Corsham, Chippenham, Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon.
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