grahame
|
|
« Reply #255 on: July 29, 2019, 22:47:05 » |
|
Planning to do this trip on a Saturday. The 0730 Ex Truro gets into Taunton at 1022 and the Bishops Lydeard service goes out at 1028. Looking at RTT» last week that wouldn't seem a problem. If the 0730 was late running how would anyone recommend getting to BL for the 1100 to Minehead? I am presuming a taxi would be the only option. Would GWR▸ hold the BL service for a few minutes if a connection could be made with a slightly late running PZ to Paddington service? The other option would be to use the XC▸ service leaving Truro just after 0700, I'd prefer not to use that though.
Guidance would be welcomed.
At extra nugget but not guidance. The shuttles are retimed for this Saturday (only) ... it leaves Taunton 1 minute earlier, stops for 2 minutes at Norton Fitzwarren, and arrives Bishops Lydeard a couple of minutes later than other dates. Special stop due to the steam fayre which is listed on our calendar.
|
|
|
Logged
|
Coffee Shop Admin, Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, TravelWatch SouthWest Board Member
|
|
|
TonyK
Global Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 6594
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
|
|
« Reply #256 on: July 29, 2019, 22:51:45 » |
|
Holding for connections isn't really done these days, but as both the relevant services are GWR▸ , I suppose it's possible. There's a 4-minute stop at Exeter St Dave for the Penzance train which can be used to pick up a couple of minutes, other than which you can but hope.
Are passengers to be embarked at Norton Fitz? I wasn't aware of a platform there.
|
|
|
Logged
|
Now, please!
|
|
|
JayMac
|
|
« Reply #257 on: July 29, 2019, 23:16:50 » |
|
The West Somerset Railway have a platform at Norton Fitzwarren. Used occasionally in connection with special events, such as the Steam Fayre, which is held on land adjacent to the WSR's triangle just outside Norton Fitzwarren village.
|
|
|
Logged
|
"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation." "Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot." "Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
|
|
|
grahame
|
|
« Reply #258 on: July 30, 2019, 05:04:25 » |
|
The West Somerset Railway have a platform at Norton Fitzwarren. Used occasionally in connection with special events, such as the Steam Fayre, which is held on land adjacent to the WSR's triangle just outside Norton Fitzwarren village.
Wikipedia suggests this is the first call from the National Network at Norton Fitzwarren ... The WSR entered into a partnership with the modern Great Western Railway (GWR▸ ) in 2019 to operate Summer Saturday services between Taunton and Bishops Lydeard on Saturdays when special events are taking place. On 3 August, services will call additionally at Norton Fitzwarren for the annual Steam Fayre Vintage Rally, run by the WSRA, taking place at the station. The introduction of these GWR services will be the first time the new station has been served by a train from the national rail network.
|
|
|
Logged
|
Coffee Shop Admin, Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, TravelWatch SouthWest Board Member
|
|
|
bobm
|
|
« Reply #259 on: July 30, 2019, 06:03:21 » |
|
When I went past on one of last Saturday’s shuttles there appeared to be people working on the platform so perhaps making some last minute preparations?
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
TonyK
Global Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 6594
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
|
|
« Reply #260 on: July 30, 2019, 14:58:46 » |
|
History is being made!
|
|
|
Logged
|
Now, please!
|
|
|
broadgage
|
|
« Reply #261 on: July 30, 2019, 16:53:03 » |
|
History is being made!
Indeed. Passenger trains from the national network have of course passed through Norton Fitzwarren, and I suspect that the odd one may have stopped for operating reasons, but this would appear to be first ever scheduled stop by a passenger train from the national network.
|
|
|
Logged
|
A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard. It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc. A 5 car DMU▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
|
|
|
Witham Bobby
|
|
« Reply #262 on: July 31, 2019, 11:08:06 » |
|
History is being made!
Indeed. Passenger trains from the national network have of course passed through Norton Fitzwarren, and I suspect that the odd one may have stopped for operating reasons, but this would appear to be first ever scheduled stop by a passenger train from the national network. First stop of a scheduled public passenger train at Norton Fitzwarren from the Taunton direction since 1961. I know the station is in different location now. But it's definitely an historic moment. The station closed by BR▸ was not well used; Norton Fitzwarren was a much smaller village back then. My aunt and uncle lived there. I don't suppose it would have occured to them to go to Taunton on the train; he had a three-wheeler for that (A Reliant, I think, with a canvas top). I was told in the 1970s by a railwayman who had worked around Taunton for many years, that a big part of the reason for closure was the operating inconvenience of trains calling there, when both Main and Relief lines were so busy; it slowed the junction working quite considerably.
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
RailCornwall
|
|
« Reply #263 on: July 31, 2019, 17:48:57 » |
|
Thanks for the comments. I'll be sorting a trip for 17th August.
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
broadgage
|
|
« Reply #264 on: August 02, 2019, 16:11:33 » |
|
I hope to make at least one return trip from Minehead to Taunton, via WSR services and changing onto GWR▸ at Bishops Lydeard. Either Saturday 03/08 or Sunday 04/08.
Anyone else coming ? I would be pleased to meet other members on board the WSR service, or at the Plough pub in Taunton, or at the Old Ship Aground pub in Minehead. My plans are uncertain at present as to time and date.
|
|
|
Logged
|
A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard. It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc. A 5 car DMU▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
|
|
|
grahame
|
|
« Reply #265 on: August 02, 2019, 17:37:49 » |
|
I hope to make at least one return trip from Minehead to Taunton, via WSR services and changing onto GWR▸ at Bishops Lydeard. Either Saturday 03/08 or Sunday 04/08.
Anyone else coming ? I would be pleased to meet other members on board the WSR service, or at the Plough pub in Taunton, or at the Old Ship Aground pub in Minehead. My plans are uncertain at present as to time and date.
My weekend schedule Saturday 3rd 09:30 - 10:15 - welcome "Melksham Remembers" group for meeting at "Well House Collection" 10:45 - 11:30 - attend official launch of Melksham Splashpad 19:00 - 21:00 - Informal meeting of the Bowerhill Villager team at the Refa Sunday 4th 09:30 - leave home for station 09:50 - 10:05 - travel Melksham to Taunton on train, observe loading and how many transfer towards Weymouth 10:25 - 10:58 - train Westbury to TauntonTaxi to Norton Fitzwarren (don't think the shuttle runs on Sunday??) 12:00 - 14:00 - stand duty for Railfuture, Severnside Branch at West Somerset Steam Fayre15:00 - 17:00 - stand duty for Railfuture, Severnside Branch at West Somerset Steam FayreTaxi or lift to Taunton Station 17:23 - 18:03 - train Taunton to Westbury 18:45 - 19:00 - train Westbury to Melksham 19:15 home. Last three items may vary - 17:41 train change at Bath Spa and Trowbridge , 19:56 at Melksham This variation to be applied if any one of * I miss the 17:23 * I stop for a very quick pint / natter * There is a massive crowd in the morning headed for Weymouth and I want to see if they had a good dayWell - you did ask about other people's plans!!
|
|
|
Logged
|
Coffee Shop Admin, Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, TravelWatch SouthWest Board Member
|
|
|
PhilWakely
|
|
« Reply #266 on: August 03, 2019, 16:46:29 » |
|
I took advantage of the GWR▸ service after lunch today (breaking my journey home from Reading to Exeter). The journeys were packed as far as Norton Fitzwarren, but thinned out beyond in both directions. Apparently, a journey to Norton Fitzwarren for the steam fayre was FREE from either direction. I am sure that somebody has missed a trick here, given that the cost of the whole season operation is in the region of £160,000.
Also, it will be interesting to see what the patronage is like in future weeks when the steam fayre is not there.
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
grahame
|
|
« Reply #267 on: August 03, 2019, 17:02:09 » |
|
My weekend schedule
[snip]
18:45 - 19:00 - train Westbury to Melksham 19:15 home.
Looks like me up the Swanee ... Sun, 4 August 18:45 Westbury to Swindon due 19:27 04/08/19 18:45 Westbury to Swindon due 19:27 will be cancelled. This is due to a shortage of train crew. Additional Information Customers should use the next service the 19:41 from Westbury which calls at Trowbridge (19:46), Melksham (19:57), Chippenham (20:08) and Swindon (20:33).
|
|
|
Logged
|
Coffee Shop Admin, Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, TravelWatch SouthWest Board Member
|
|
|
JayMac
|
|
« Reply #268 on: August 03, 2019, 17:04:19 » |
|
It'll also be interesting to see the outcome of next week's WSR Extraordinary General Meeting (10th August 2019). The company accounts are also late.
Bridgwater & West Somerset MP▸ Ian Liddell-Grainger has raised concerns about WSR's finances.
WSR's chairman was interviewed by BBC» Points West on Friday 2nd August. I personally wasn't convinced by his responses to questions about the WSR's finances and why the accounts are late.
|
|
|
Logged
|
"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation." "Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot." "Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
|
|
|
TonyK
Global Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 6594
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
|
|
« Reply #269 on: August 03, 2019, 17:58:53 » |
|
Hm. Late accounts is not usually a good sign. Here's hoping it is a mere administrative slip.
|
|
|
Logged
|
Now, please!
|
|
|
|