Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September

[whole diary]

[PhilWakely]

Services between Exeter and Waterloo appear to have been culled severely today with nothing leaving Exeter between 10:25 and 16:25 and nothing in the opposite direction arriving between 09:44 and 15:44.

Journeycheck is not working, and there is nothing on the SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) website. I guess it is crew shortages, but can anybody confirm please?

[PhilWakely]

Although SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) Journeycheck is still not working, SWR have corrected the broken link on their own website......

Changes due to staff absences on West of England Line services on Saturday 4 September

Due to high levels of staff absences, we will be making changes to some services this Saturday on the West of England Line.

You may use your ticket on earlier or later services in order to complete your journey. If you are travelling later in the evening, please consider travelling on an earlier train. South Western Railway tickets will be accepted on Great Western Railway services between Salisbury and Bristol, Basingstoke and Reading, and Exeter St David's and London Paddington in both directions.

Please check your journey before you travel and we’re sorry for any inconvenience this causes.

A full list of alterations is available below:

06:20 Honiton to Waterloo will start its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Honiton (06:20), Axminster (06:31), Crewkerne (06:44), Yeovil Junction (06:53), Sherborne (07:00), Templecombe (07:07), Gillingham (07:17), and Tisbury (07:27). This train will also be formed of three carriages instead of six carriages.

06:40 Exeter St David's to Waterloo will start its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Exeter St David's (06:40), Exeter Central (06:45), Pinhoe (06:50), Cranbrook (06:54), Whimple (06:59), Feniton (07:05), Honiton (07:13), Axminster (07:24), Crewkerne (07:37), Yeovil Junction (07:53), Sherborne (07:59), Templecombe (08:07), Gillingham (08:17) and Tisbury (08:27). This train will also be formed of three carriages instead of six carriages.

07:10 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will end its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Tisbury (09:04), Gillingham (09:06), Templecombe (09:17), Sherborne (09:25), Yeovil Junction (09:39), Crewkerne (09:49), Axminster (10:03), Honiton (10:16), Feniton (10:21), Cranbrook (10:29), Pinhoe (10:33), Exeter Central (10:39), and Exeter St David’s (10:42).

08:20 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will end its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Tisbury (10:04), Gillingham 10:06), Templecombe (10:17), Sherborne (10:25), Yeovil Junction (10:32), Crewkerne (10:49), Axminster (11:03), Honiton (11:16), Whimple (11:24), Cranbrook (11:28), Pinhoe (11:32), Exeter Central (11:39), and Exeter St David’s (11:42).

08:21 Salisbury to Waterloo will not run.

09:20 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will end its journey at Yeovil Junction. This train will no longer call at Crewkerne (11:49), Axminster (12:03), Honiton (12:16), Feniton (12:21), Cranbrook (12:29), Pinhoe (12:33), Exeter Central (12:39), and Exeter St David’s (12:42).

09:25 Exeter St David’s to Waterloo will end its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Andover (11:38), Basingstoke (11:57), Woking (12:17), Clapham Junction (12:37), London Waterloo (12:49).

09:50 Waterloo to Salisbury will be formed of three carriages instead of six carriages.

10:25 Waterloo to Exeter St David's will not run.

10:50 Waterloo to Salisbury will be formed of three carriages instead of six carriages.

11:20 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will end its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Tisbury (13:06), Gillingham (13:17), Templecombe (13:25), Sherborne (13:32), Yeovil Junction (13:39), Crewkerne (13:49), Axminster (14:03), Honiton (14:16), Feniton (14:21), Cranbrook (14:29), Pinhoe (14:33), Exeter Central (14:39), and Exeter St David’s (14:42). This train will also be formed of nine carriages instead of ten carriages.

11:25 Exeter St David’s to London Waterloo will start its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Exeter St David's (11:25), Exeter Central (11:30), Pinhoe (11:34), Cranbrook (11:39), Whimple (11:44), Honiton (11:55), Axminster (12:06), Crewkerne (12:19), Yeovil Junction (12:29), Sherborne (12:35), Templecombe (12:43), Gillingham (12:51) and Tisbury (13:01). This train will also be formed of three carriages instead of six carriages.

12:25 Exeter St David’s to Waterloo will start its journey at Yeovil Junction. This train will no longer call at Exeter St David’s (12:25), Exeter Central (12:30), Pinhoe (12:34), Cranbrook (12:39), Feniton (12:47), Honiton (12:55), Axminster (13:06) and Crewkerne (13:19).

13:20 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will start its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at London Waterloo (13:20), Clapham Junction (13:27), Woking (13:46), Basingstoke (14:07), and Andover (14:24).

13:25 Exeter St David’s to Waterloo will start its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Exeter St David's (13:25), Exeter Central (13:30), Pinhoe (13:34), Cranbrook (13:39), Whimple (13:44), Honiton (13:55), Axminster (14:06), Crewkerne (14:19), Yeovil Junction (14:29), Sherborne (14:35), Templecombe (14:43), Gillingham (14:51) and Tisbury (15:01).

13:52 Salisbury to Bristol Temple Meads will not run.

14:20 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will end its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Tisbury (16:04), Gillingham (16:06), Templecombe (16:17), Sherborne (16:25), Yeovil Junction (16:32), Crewkerne (16:49), Axminster (17:03), Honiton (17:16), Whimple (17:24), Cranbrook (17:28), Pinhoe (17:32), Exeter Central (17:38), and Exeter St David’s (17:42).

14:25 Exeter St David's to Waterloo will not run.

15:20 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will be formed of three carriages instead of six carriages.

15:25 Exeter St David’s to Waterloo will not run.

15:50 Bristol Temple Meads to Salisbury will not run.

16:20 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will end its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Tisbury (18:04), Gillingham (18:06), Templecombe (18:17), Sherborne (18:25), Yeovil Junction (18:32), Crewkerne (18:49), Axminster (19:03), Honiton (19:16), Whimple (19:24), Cranbrook (19:28), Pinhoe (19:32), Exeter Central (19:38), and Exeter St David’s (19:42).

18:20 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will start its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at London Waterloo (18:20), Clapham Junction (18:27), Woking (18:46), Basingstoke (19:07), and Andover (19:24).

18:25 Exeter St David’s to Waterloo will start its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Exeter St David's (18:25), Exeter Central (18:30), Pinhoe (18:34), Cranbrook (18:39), Feniton (18:47), Honiton (18:55), Axminster (19:06), Crewkerne (19:19), Yeovil Junction (19:29), Sherborne (19:35), Templecombe (19:43), Gillingham (19:51) and Tisbury (20:01).

19:20 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will not run.

19:25 Exeter St David’s to Waterloo will be formed of three carriages instead of six carriages.

20:25 Exeter St David’s to Waterloo will start its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Exeter St David's (20:25), Exeter Central (20:30), Pinhoe (20:34), Cranbrook (20:39), Whimple (20:44), Feniton (20:49), Honiton (20:56), Axminster (21:07), Crewkerne (21:20), Yeovil Junction (21:30), Sherborne (21:36), Templecombe (21:44), Gillingham (21:52) and Tisbury (22:02).

20:53 Salisbury to Waterloo will not run.

20:57 Salisbury to Bristol Temple Meads will not run.
 
22:23 Bristol Temple Meads to Salisbury will not run.

22:50 Waterloo to Salisbury will not run.

22:55 Salisbury to Yeovil Junction will not run.

23:00 Exeter St David’s to Yeovil Junction will not run.

23:39 Waterloo to Basingstoke will be formed of three carriages instead of six carriages.

[RichardB]

Thanks for flagging this up, Phil.

I thought I'd look at today's service at Honiton on Real Time Trains

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:HON/2021-09-04/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

Almost beggars belief.

[Timmer]

Situation not helped by the cancellation of the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) London - Paignton semi fasts again.

[JayMac]

Four hour gap this afternoon for up services from Templecombe. Nothing toward Salisbury and beyond between 1343 and 1743.

[RichardB]

No less than a seven hour gap in westbound services from Feniton today - 09 21 - 16 21.  Six hours the other - 10 51 - 16 51.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:FNT/2021-09-04/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

[RichardB]

I've made some enquiries and been told the issue is down to a sudden shortage of staff due to sickness.   The plan for today was put together yesterday morning. 

Tomorrow, the Exeter trains are only running as far as Basingstoke.  Looking at Real time Trains, it seems the full service should be possible certainly west of Yeovil Junction.  Here's the plan for Honiton.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:HON/2021-09-05/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

Hope this is what happens. 

[Lee]

I've made some enquiries and been told the issue is down to a sudden shortage of staff due to sickness.   The plan for today was put together yesterday morning. 

Tomorrow, the Exeter trains are only running as far as Basingstoke.  Looking at Real time Trains, it seems the full service should be possible certainly west of Yeovil Junction.  Here's the plan for Honiton.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:HON/2021-09-05/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

Hope this is what happens. 

On a completely unrelated note, Salisbury Pride was today - https://mobile.twitter.com/SW_Help/status/1433343517443624963

We're #proud to be sponsoring

@pride_salisbury

this Saturday, 4 September! Train services to and from Salisbury are expected to be busier than usual. Remember to plan your journey in advance and have a safe and happy Pride! #salisburyprideuk

[broadgage]

No less than a seven hour gap in westbound services from Feniton today - 09 21 - 16 21.  Six hours the other - 10 51 - 16 51.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:FNT/2021-09-04/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

"tickets may be used on the following train"

Or perhaps it should say, "tickets may used in part payment for a secondhand car" 

This sort of thing, combined with the failed IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) project severely affecting GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) services to and from the same region is not going to encourage use of trains instead of driving.
What happened to the climate emergency ?

[RichardB]

I've just tried Waterloo - Honiton and Waterloo - Cranbrook on SWR^» (South Western Railway - about)'s website for next Saturday.

Nothing came up which has got to be concerning.

[broadgage]

Why were so many services half length yesterday ? It takes no more staff to operate a 6 car 159 than to run a half length train.
With so many services cancelled, shortages of rolling stock seems unlikely. With so many cancellations, running full length trains is more important than ever.

So much for competition between GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) and South Western !
More like a race to the bottom.

"Their services are half length, so we should be able to get away with similar"
"They have almost abolished catering on long distance services, so that proves that we don't need it either"

[bradbrka]

Why were so many services half length yesterday ? It takes no more staff to operate a 6 car 159 than to run a half length train.
With so many services cancelled, shortages of rolling stock seems unlikely. With so many cancellations, running full length trains is more important than ever.

Maybe the staff shortage was in the depot, no body to empty the waste water tanks, refill with clean water, clean and refuel the train and the other pre-service checks. It must take more people to prepare 6 cars vs. 3, the same as 9 or 10 vs 5.

[broadgage]

Possibly lack of depot staff, but I do wonder how hard they tried to overcome any such shortage.
Overtime working ?
Temporary staff ?

Or even send out a 6 car train with toilets only available in one unit. Toilet availability seems a low priority normally.

Or just simpler and cheaper to cancel numerous trains and make many of the rest half length.

[grahame]

Or even send out a 6 car train with toilets only available in one unit. Toilet availability seems a low priority normally.

Bearing in mind that the line is run with through gangway units as is proper for regional and long distance trains, that makes sense.  Of course, if the issue isn't about topping up the loos with water but topping up the fuel tanks with diesel, it's a different matter.

[broadgage]

I am not convinced that filling with diesel as is complex as "the railway" seem to think it is.
Diesel fuel is non volatile and low risk. Car and truck drivers handle it routinely without special training.
Car drivers are even allowed to handle petrol without training, a far more dangerous fuel.