Evaluation of new Avocet & Tarka Line Timetables

[whole diary]

[alexander b]

Hello Everyone,

Having had a look at the new summer timetable for services around Exeter, there are certainly a number of positives which can be taken.

The one which caught my attention the most is that they have removed from the timetable the weekday 16:30 service between EXC & BNP^▸ (Barnstaple).  When FGW^▸ (First Great Western) originally implemented this service into the December 2006 timetable, it invoked criticism from commuters and also students at Exeter College, who had to leave A-level classes early to get home at a sensible time.
The new timetable sees the 16:20 service from EXM run through to BNP, departing from EXC at 16:49. A negative that can be pointed out though is that this new service does not connect with a PGN train, with a stopping service running from EXD^» (Exeter St Davids - next trains) at 16:53.

Other changes see the 10:29 BNP-EXC service, retimed to depart at 10:32 and running through as an all stations service to EXM. Also the current 09:04 EXC-BNP no longer operates. This is to be replaced with a through service from EXM, departing at 08:50, and calling at EXC at 09:17. This means that there will no longer be the direct service between EXM and PNZ.

However connections between Crosscountry services and Avocet^▸ (Branch line from Exeter to Exmouth) Line trains continue to be poor in the southbound direction. And in addition the 08:23, 11:23, 12:23, 14:23 & 17:23 services from EXD towards the North no longer have the excellent six minute connection that was previously provided off the all stations service from EXM. FGW have for some reason have added an additional four minutes to the journey time between EXC and EXD. 

Another consequence of this is that the current 14:14 train from EXC to BNP will terminate at EXD in the new timetable at 14:23, with a train departing for Barnstaple just four minutes later. Officially that is a connection which cannot be made.

Connections between Exmouth services and Paddington trains generally remain the same, so poor connectivity when travelling from London/ Reading towards Exmouth in the evenings, with a 36min wait off the 18:03 service from PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains), and a 29min wait off the 19:03 train.

If to sum up the new timetable in a few phrases, then I would say that a number of problems have been solved, with the introduction of new diagrams, but FGW has created itself more problems with its slack timings, particularly on the all stations services between EXM and EXD.

With Regards,
Alex.B

[swlines]

That 4 minute connection train you mention, that particular train is a Exmouth to Barnstaple in my data feed - and in FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) book B alterations:

Page 100 Mondays to Fridays 1350 Exmouth to Exeter St Davids now runs through to Barnstaple at the
times shown for the 1427 Exeter St Davids to Barnstaple

[Chris from Nailsea]

Hello, Alexander, and welcome to the Coffee Shop!

Thanks for your detailed assessment of the summer timetable, as it affects fellow passengers in your particular area.

The addition of more 'slack' in the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) timetable seems to be a general concern, based on posts in other topics, as well as this one?

 

[devon_metro]

Slack is needed in Devon, 142s simply cannot keep to 150 timings unless driven aggressively.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Fair comment, d_m - I was thinking more of related topics, ... about the Cotswold line, for example?

It seems to me that the lack of certainty about what class of train may actually run a service means that those poor souls designing the timetable have to assume it may be the slowest - and they therefore have to draw up a timetable accordingly?

 

[devon_metro]

Fair comment, d_m - I was thinking more of related topics, ... about the Cotswold line, for example?

It seems to me that the lack of certainty about what class of train may actually run a service means that those poor souls designing the timetable have to assume it may be the slowest - and they therefore have to draw up a timetable accordingly?

 

You'd be surprised to know that in Devon, that I know off: 06xx PGN-EXM is 3 car 153, there is a 2 car 153 diagram and also a 150 diagram. All of which are pretty solid - so i'd say predicting traction was more often than not a very simple process 

[Chris from Nailsea]

I'm not disagreeing with you  I just wonder where 142s turn up, to mess up those 'simple traction predictions?' 

Slack is needed in Devon, 142s simply cannot keep to 150 timings unless driven aggressively.

[devon_metro]

Think its safe to say that any train that will go out of the Devon Metro triangle is likely to not be 150 - although there is a pair of 153s that run around on the DM.

The beauty of the 142s is that they are exclusively based at Exeter and therefore very rarely stray from their stamping grounds unlike those illustrious ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) 150s that often find their way down to Cornwall etc

[vacman]

Slack is needed in Devon, 142s simply cannot keep to 150 timings unless driven aggressively.

Have to dissagree there, 142's are actually pretty nippy on accelaration and stopping, MUCH quicker than a 153!

[devon_metro]

Mine often loose 2/3 minutes. Perhaps not massively hindered in acceleration, until going above 50, but 3 small doors compared to 4 large 150 doors inevitably increases station dwells.

[Jim]

Slack is needed in Devon, 142s simply cannot keep to 150 timings unless driven aggressively.

MUCH quicker than a 153!

I think walking is nearly as fast as a 153!

[vacman]

Mine often loose 2/3 minutes. Perhaps not massively hindered in acceleration, until going above 50, but 3 small doors compared to 4 large 150 doors inevitably increases station dwells.

153's must loose about 5 then!

[gaf71]

Mine often loose 2/3 minutes. Perhaps not massively hindered in acceleration, until going above 50, but 3 small doors compared to 4 large 150 doors inevitably increases station dwells.

153's must loose about 5 then!

normally the main reason for losing time with a 142 is down to door faults, which are now a lot less regular, due to good maintenance at Exeter.

[devon_metro]

142062 has a few dodgy doors.

[Conner]

142062 has a few dodgy doors.

And we know why that is!
Some idiot was 'playing' with them.
Pressing the open button but holding them shut.
Trying to keep them open when the Guard had shut them.
Opening one leaf at a time.
Shutting them on people.