First scheduled IET Bristol-Cheltenham (for four days only)?

[whole diary]

[PrestburyRoad]

Extra trains are normally laid on for the big race week of the Cheltenham Festival.  Out of curiosity I wondered what's been arranged this year, 15-18 March.  RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) shows the usual Paddington-Cheltenham extras operated by GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), and this year it looks like the Bristol-Cheltenham extras will be operated by GWR rather than XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)), and using IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train).  The first will be 08:51 BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains)-CNM^» (Cheltenham Spa - next trains) on 15 March https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V43888/2022-03-15/detailed.  As far as I know this will be the first scheduled IET service BRI-CNM; I'll be happy to be corrected by the experts.

I'll add that I'm NOT intending to travel on it - I'll leave that to the happy racegoers and their tipples.

[didcotdean]

Some regular services have disappeared Tuesday-Friday this week to enable these from complaints on GWRs^▸ (Great Western Railway) twitter; even local station staff were bemused at their disappearance accords to some reports.

[PrestburyRoad]

RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) this morning showed that 1Z40 0851 Bristol Temple Meads to Cheltenham Spa was on time and was operated by 9-coach IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) 800308 and was "Standard class only seating" - maybe a first for an IET or maybe a data entry mistake.

[Mark A]

Some regular services have disappeared Tuesday-Friday this week to enable these from complaints on GWRs^▸ (Great Western Railway) twitter; even local station staff were bemused at their disappearance accords to some reports.

*Checks Twitter*

Good grief, not a good week for people travelling on GWR, thanks for the heads up.

Mark

[Timmer]

Some regular services have disappeared Tuesday-Friday this week to enable these from complaints on GWRs^▸ (Great Western Railway) twitter; even local station staff were bemused at their disappearance accords to some reports.

*Checks Twitter*

Good grief, not a good week for people travelling on GWR, thanks for the heads up.

Mark

Yes, we've had this discussion before about stock availability for events and that rail companies can't afford to have spare stock in sidings so have to rob Peter to pay Paul when an event is on. Glastonbury next.

[IndustryInsider]

Especially if GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are ‘helping out’ XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) with Bristol to Cheltenham runs!

[eightonedee]

[Broken record mode]

Of course if they were to electrify all the GW^▸ (Great Western) main lines (including Swindon-Gloucester-Cheltenham), all those Electrostars that either sit at Reading or move air in 8 or 12 car formations that used to be 2, 3 or 6 car Turbo services on the Thames valley routes could have a day at the races to help........

[ChrisB]

Yes, we've had this discussion before about stock availability for events and that rail companies can't afford to have spare stock in sidings so have to rob Peter to pay Paul when an event is on. Glastonbury next.

and

[Broken record mode]
Of course if they were to electrify all the GW^▸ (Great Western) main lines (including Swindon-Gloucester-Cheltenham), all those Electrostars that either sit at Reading or move air in 8 or 12 car formations that used to be 2, 3 or 6 car Turbo services on the Thames valley routes could have a day at the races to help........

I strongly suspect the latter is even more unaffordable than the former....