southwesternlines update

[whole diary]

[swlines]

That Frome - Cardiff is a funny one, I've got it shown as a through journey on one of my sources, a change on another, and one's showing it as a Gloucester! I have no idea which one to take on...

I would count that as a through journey even though the headcode changes.

[swlines]

Now released, Portsmouth/Brighton to Cardiff/Gloucester Saturday timetable.

http://files.southwesternlines.co.uk/timetables/may/pmhcdf/pmhcdf_so.pdf

[swlines]

And now the Sunday Portsmouth to Cardiff timetable - this timetable is based on the ongoing Severn Tunnel closure. Note there are significant changes each day this timetable operates, in particular the first service is normally replaced by a bus to Bristol Parkway.

http://files.southwesternlines.co.uk/timetables/may/pmhcdf/pmhcdf_suo.pdf

[Lee]

First glance I note :

0643 Frome-Cardiff Central service becomes 0646 Frome-Bristol Temple Meads and 0753 Bristol Temple Meads- Cardiff Central services.

Changes to Weymouth/Frome services and Warminster/Dilton Marsh links.

Removal of Avoncliff stop in the 0600 Portsmouth-Cardiff service but no improvement in journey time.

Some answers from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) :

0643 Frome-Cardiff Central service becomes 0646 Frome-Bristol Temple Meads and 0753 Bristol Temple Meads- Cardiff Central services.

- No longer the case.  Will be formed 2x143, rear set will work through to Cardiff.

Changes to Weymouth/Frome services and Warminster/Dilton Marsh links.

- Weymouth morning/evening peak retimings are due to stakeholder request.

Removal of Avoncliff stop in the 0600 Portsmouth-Cardiff service.

- Required due to pathing constraint as this will be a 3-car strengthened to 4-car at Westbury.

1722 Portsmouth to Cardiff Central in the current timetable will be cut back to Bristol Temple Meads, and an additional 1959 Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff will operate approximately 5 minutes later throughout calling at Filton Abbey Wood, Newport and Cardiff Central.

- Service does run throughout on Fridays.  Is required as is the only way to ensure sufficient maintenance time for unit exam overnight on the Marsh.

FGW also pointed out the reinstatement of the 1838 Westbury-Bristol TM^‡(resolve) (retaining the half-hourly pattern.)

[Jim]

Removal of Avoncliff stop in the 0600 Portsmouth-Cardiff service.

- Required due to pathing constraint as this will be a 3-car strengthened to 4-car at Westbury.

That answers 1 worry then.

[Lee]

Removal of Avoncliff stop in the 0600 Portsmouth-Cardiff service.

- Required due to pathing constraint as this will be a 3-car strengthened to 4-car at Westbury.

That answers 1 worry then.

I do wonder, though, how the Avoncliff folks feel about losing their 0822 arrival into Bath. 0808 & 0847 arrivals strike me as being a little too early and a little too late respectively. That said, I suspect that certain commuters from elsewhere in West Wiltshire would be happy with either, compared with what they have now.....

I have sent a couple of e-mails to try and find out the Avoncliff view, but have received no replies as yet.