London-West Timetable

[whole diary]

[Super Guard]

Yes, but how often does it achieve an on-time arrival at Paddington?

The 3hour 0600 Plymouth/Paddington was the result of pressure by the regions business leaders for a fast earlier arrival in Paddington than the "Hind".To achieve this FGW^▸ (First Great Western) initially used 180s with their superior excelleration to keep to the tight timings.However I read somewhere on this Forum that FGW now use a high density 2+7 HST^▸ (High Speed Train) set on this service for the same reason.
 Also prior to the launch of the fast 0600, local airline ASW was claiming it could get you in London from Plymouth via Gatwick/Victoria earlier than the "Hind".Hence FGW launched the 3 hour 0600 Pymouth/Paddington service.

This service has the least amount of 'padding' in it throughout the whole of the timetable.  And trust me, we get serious grief from 'highers' if it arrives on time and is not out on-time (never mind the fact we got to get you peeps on board first  ).

I was once told that if it did not get out of Taunton as close to on-time as possible that there is a freighter service that gets in the way around Westbury that then causes delays (have no idea whether that is true or not though.)

I cannot remember whether or not the 2+7 set is on this service or not, but would make sense to axe the buffet to help the acceleration, as long as a decent trolley service was available. (Can+Worms=Open.)

[devon_metro]

Booked 2+7 no buffet. It overtakes a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) HST^▸ (High Speed Train) at Westbury, which probably delays it. Arrived 6 late today.

[Super Guard]

Which surely goes to prove that the 0548-0848 timing would be better - unless the whole mental issue of leaving Plymouth before 0600 is the reason for its current timing.

[devon_metro]

It used to overtake the service at Westbury at Taunton, which waited at Taunton for around 15 minutes