Twyford to Henley branch line - services, timetables, incidents and improvements

[whole diary]

[bobm]

Unless it's used as a justification for a less comprehensive service 

[willc]

Just in case you haven't noticed, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) is busy refurbishing Turbos just now - two sets at a time? - so with normal maintenance requirements on top and the fact that several 166s are diagrammed all day on the Cotswold Line, which wasn't the case from 2005-9/10, they probably just don't have sufficient stock to operate extra through trains this summer.

[insider]

The timetable this year (for the Saturday) has been constructed with feedback from both staff and customers from last year^s event. Wargrave will not be served during the Saturday by train due to ongoing overcrowding issues on the Henley set. This station will be served by a shuttle bus which will run back and forth to Twyford.

To ease overcrowding, this year will see a 7 Car unit operating from the 0847 departure until close of service. This as in previous years will operate from the Up Relief at Twyford (Platform 4). There will be 2 drivers 1 at each end, to minimise turnaround time.

With regards to additional through services to Henley from Paddington there just is not enough rolling stock to allow this. Paddington will have staff carefully monitoring customer numbers and will have authority to stop HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s on the Down as demand requires.

As in previous years the Basingstoke service will be reduced to hourly vice half hourly to release both rolling stock and drivers for this enhanced service.

With regards to the published timetable. 2332 is the last advertised departure with connections. This may be earlier than previous years, but resources will be in place to run additional services well beyond that all intending customers will get to their destination assuming they join the queuing system for the 2332. The event attracts a large crowd for the Saturday night fireworks and social event and in previous years it has been a struggle to get people to there destination if the last advertised train is too late.

Any questions regarding this event please ask

[JayMac]

Thank you for that comprehensive response, insider, and a very warm welcome to the Coffee Shop. 

One question. Would you be a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) 'insider'? 

[IndustryInsider]

To ease overcrowding, this year will see a 7 Car unit operating from the 0847 departure until close of service. This as in previous years will operate from the Up Relief at Twyford (Platform 4). There will be 2 drivers 1 at each end, to minimise turnaround time.

Good news about the 7-car formation.  And to see another insider in the forum...    I have a couple of questions:

With regards to additional through services to Henley from Paddington there just is not enough rolling stock to allow this. Paddington will have staff carefully monitoring customer numbers and will have authority to stop HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s on the Down as demand requires.

Will the same authority be extended towards services in the Up direction?  And will every opportunity be taken to strengthen the up local services that are booked connections from Henley using every unit that's available?  Remember that these local services are usually quite busy at weekends anyway, and when capacity exists (especially on the Sunday) then more should be done to provide it.  I refer you to my comments after the event last year...

My concern is with the effort made with the ongoing connections.  From what I could see, the normal service wasn't enhanced or strengthened at all between Twyford and Paddington on either Saturday or Sunday.  This led to crazy levels of overcrowding on days when there were trains loitering in sidings potentially available to strengthen most, if not all, of the local services at the busiest times.  Yesterday afternoon I was travelling on the 16:05 Oxford to Paddington stopper.  At Twyford I estimate 200-250 people got on, to add to the 50 or so already on board.  That was enough to swamp our 3-car Class 165.  By Maidenhead there was hardly any standing room left, and by West Drayton people were unable to board the train.  We lost 8 minutes en-route into Paddington with both the driver and station staff having to plead over the PA^▸ (Public Address) at Hayes and Southall for passengers to stand clear so the doors could shut.  I was wedged in the corner next to a rather attractive blonde in a very posh frock, but I digress... 

These trains are busy enough on a Sunday, and I really do think FGW^▸ (First Great Western) let its Regatta goers and regular passengers down badly given that there is extra capacity available, and similar situations to the one I experienced happened several times over the weekend.  There were even trains that could have stopped additionally at Twyford to balance out the loadings better and offer those going to London a much faster service than the stopping service which was the only option.  I am referring to the hourly Bedwyn/Newbury Turbo service on Saturday and most hours on the Sunday.  Extra trains have called at Twyford in the past, so why not now?

there were additional stops at Twyford on some trains and also some 5/6 car stoppers running around. But you cant strengthen everything. I can tell you for a fact that Saturday had a scheduled fast service to Pad. I got on one at 1520.

I'm glad to hear that, Ollie.  I wasn't really around too much on Saturday to make any detailed observations - but yesterday, having checked on Genius, the only train of over 3-cars I could find all afternoon was the 18:05 Oxford-Paddington stopper, by which time most of the demand had gone.  Bearing in mind the local service is only at 30-minute intervals on a Sunday (one from Oxford and one from Reading to Paddington) much more could have been done then at least - there is practically half of the fleet doing precious little on a Sunday!

As you can see from my words this time last year, I got the distinct impression that a whole load of management effort (which should be applauded) was put into trying to make things run as smoothly as possible between Henley and Twyford, but once they'd waved bye bye to the trains leaving Twyford heading towards London they were forgotten about.

One last point.  As 'Autotank' said - where is the link to the timetable on the First Great Western website?  Is it a case on not wanting to attract too much custom?

[bobm]

As 'Autotank' said - where is the link on the First Great Western Timetable?  Is it a case on not wanting to attract too much custom?

A lot of effort has gone into this, as I've said before I just don't understand why they don't shout about it. Perhaps you are right. Keeping quiet is a form of crowd control. Somehow I doubt it   

[insider]

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website should have the info on in the coming days. The marketing guys felt that there is no need to advertise too early as the info is available on the official HRR website (even though there are several mistakes on the leaflet, which have been highlighted to Marketing and hopefully will be amended but not certain). The online journey planners have been uploaded, and are correct, for the entire timetable.

With regards to Up services (which is the busiest flow during the evening) there will be many additional services that are already planned to stop, however these are all unadvertised, so the team at Twyford can have total control over them. There were issues last year with HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s calling on the Up Main when there were no customers to board, because of late running or just no people. Therefore the plan this year is to confirm the stop orders with Reading station and Traincrew if we need the service. There are approximately 4-6 additional services on Weds + Thurs, approx 5-7 on Friday and around 9 on the Saturday (sorry don't have the actual plan to hand at present, but will update closer to event to confirm)

With regards to Sunday service levels, it has been raised before, however at this moment in time a normal service is planned to operate. But additional services can be requested if the team at Twyford feel that the stopping services can not cope with demand.

[IndustryInsider]

Thanks very much for that detailed reply.  A couple of follow-on points...

The online journey planners have been uploaded, and are correct, for the entire timetable.

I've just checked the National Rail Enquiries website, and the amended plans are on there correctly as you say.  However, that doesn't stop the usual problem with using the online planners for journeys from London to Twyford not giving you the most sensible option.  Because of the slow nature of the stopping service from Paddington to Twyford and the less than optimal connections onto the revised Henley service (75 minutes for a journey of 35 miles anyone?), you don't get a single journey from London to Henley matching what's being advertised in the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) leaflet.  Between 10:00 and 11:00 on Saturday for example you are given:

1) 10:00 Paddington, changing at Reading and Twyford arriving at 10:58 - so you go beyond the destination before coming back on yourself rather than leaving at 09:42 with the one change to arrive at the same time (at ^2.10 less)

2) 10:21 Paddington, changing at Slough and Twyford arriving at 11:27 - for a 9-minute saving on getting the leaflet's 10:12 changing the once at Twyford you open yourself up to a tight (5-minute) connection at Slough.

True, these are inherent faults of the journey planners than specific flaws with the revised Regatta timetable (though if a few of these unadvertised stops were advertised then some of the anomalies might disappear), that in itself means that, in my opinion, the FGW website should be carrying details of the service now.  After all, if you're going to the Regatta and you're not browsing the official website, the next place you'd logically turn to is the operators website - it's even linked from the official Regatta site.

With regards to Sunday service levels, it has been raised before, however at this moment in time a normal service is planned to operate. But additional services can be requested if the team at Twyford feel that the stopping services can not cope with demand.

My main problem with this, as I mentioned in my previous post, is that the team at Twyford will have their hands full with crowd management and all that that entails.  When you say additional stops can be made "if the team at Twyford feel that the stopping services can not cope with demand" I have a feeling that, on the day, that will translate as "if we can't cram everyone on the next stopper", which of course makes no allowance for the regular day trippers joining at Maidenhead, Slough, West Drayton, Hayes, and Southall etc.

If you're going to run a normal service, then for goodness sake get some of those sets that sit languishing in Oxford/Reading sidings all day on a Sunday to ensure that as many as possible are 5 or 6-cars.  I'm sure my experience on the 16:05ex Oxford last year was not an isolated occurence.

Luckily, I shall be going nowhere near to the area throughout this years event, so I wish those involved in its operation, and the punters, well!

[Ollie]

Agree with IndustryInsider here, I travel from Twyford when I work Sundays, and as it's only a 30min frequency, give or take, then it can get particularly busy. If it was a Saturday service then it could possibly cope better.

[autotank]

Thanks for the detailed responses and sorry for jumping to conclusions in my initial post. I'm particularly pleased to hear that 7 car sets will be used at the weekend - using platform 4 explains some of the poor connections. As mentioned previously the publicity could do with ramping up by FGW^▸ (First Great Western).

[JayMac]

From the Bucks Free Press:

THREE teenagers were arrested on Marlow Regatta day at rail stations ^ two on suspicion of assault ^ British Transport Police have revealed. Officers from BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) provided a high visibility presence at both Marlow and Maidenhead stations to root out troublemakers before they got to the Regatta.

On Saturday a BTP spokesman told the Bucks Free Press a group of youths were escorted out of Marlow by its officers on the train. They were sent away for 'breach of the peace'. Now it has revealed there were also three arrests.

At Maidenhead, a 17-year-old woman from Reading was arrested for a public order offence and received a fixed penalty notice, while an 18-year-old man from Ealing was arrested on suspicion of assault. He has been bailed pending further enquiries until Wednesday July 13.

A 16-year-old man from Reading was arrested on suspicion of assault at Marlow rail station. He has been bailed pending further enquiries until Thursday July 7.

The three arrests come on top of six by Thames Valley Police on Friday and Saturday as part of its Regatta operation. Twelve people were given banning orders ^ which would have meant they were arrested had they returned to Marlow within 24 to 48 hours.

BTP said it could not provide details on how much the operation cost.

Inspector Will Jordan from British Transport Police, said: "We supported our colleagues at Thames Valley Police throughout the operation, during which we had a high-visibility police presence at Marlow and Maidenhead rail stations. We offered a meet and greet presence at Marlow rail station throughout the day giving safety and crime prevention advice to the public, as well as escorting passengers on trains back to Maidenhead in the evening.^

[insider]

Planned Additional Services Twyford to Paddington

It should be noted that these services are "unadvertised" as to allow the control team to amend the plan as required due to service disruption or crowd control issues. However in theory all these services will pick up only at Twyford.

Wednesday & Thursday

Bristol to Paddington > Twyford dep 2153
Swansea to Paddington > Twyford dep 2220
Penzance to Paddington > Twyford dep 2317
Taunton to Paddington > Twyford dep 0004

Friday

Bedwyn to Paddington > Twyford dep 1526
Bedwyn to Paddington > Twyford dep 1627
Taunton to Paddington > Twyford dep 1726
Bristol TM^‡(resolve) to Paddington Twyford dep 1823
Bedwyn to Paddington > Twyford dep 1925
Cheltenham to Paddington > Twyford dep 2025
Oxford to Paddington > Twyford dep 2135
Bristol to Paddington > Twyford dep 2153
Swansea to Paddington > Twyford dep 2220
Penzance to Paddington > Twyford dep 2317
Oxford to Paddington> Twyford dep 2343
Taunton to Paddington > Twyford dep 0005
Hereford to Paddington > Twyford dep 0047

Saturday

Bristol TM to Paddington > Twyford dep 1554
Bristol TM to Paddington > Twyford dep 1719
Bristol TM to Paddington > Twyford dep 1821
Bristol TM to Paddington > Twyford dep 1954
Bristol TM to Paddington > Twyford dep 2054
Bristol TM to Paddington > Twyford dep 2158
Oxford to Paddington > Twyford dep 2303
Twyford to Paddington at 2354
Taunton to Paddington > Twyford dep 0001
Henley to Paddington > Twyford dep 0045 (this will run subject to demand)

As per previous post the last ^advertised^ departure from Henley is 2332 on the Saturday night but resources are in place for up to 4 extra services to clear Henley if required, including a direct service to Paddington. These will only run if demand dictates and the crowds behave. Previous years (last year in particularly) there were mini riots in Henley on the Saturday night and this years ^earlier^ advertised service is in part a police request to deter would be trouble makers from travelling to Henley just to cause trouble.

[bobm]

Unfortunately the fact that the later services are unadvertised has been seized on by Reading Buses to make a point.

Friday 1 and Saturday 2 July
People planning to travel home by public transport from next weekend^s Henley Royal Regatta are being advised ^the bus is best^.

The advice comes from sponsors who are telling travellers that buses will be running long after the trains have stopped.

^Your late bus home^ is the theme of flyer leaflets which have been produced to publicise the late night buses which will be run by Reading Buses next Friday and Saturday nights, 1 and 2 July 2011.

Details of the late night buses on both days are included in the flyer leaflet.  The buses from Henley Royal Regatta will run into Reading, High Wycombe via Marlow and Twyford via Wargrave.

The Reading route will be HR1 which will leave Station Road, Henley, every 10 minutes from 22.30 to 02.30.

The bus to High Wycombe route HR2 will leave Hart Street, Henley at 00.30 and the bus to Twyford route HR3 will leave from The Catherine Wheel, Hart Street, at 00.30.

Said Reading Buses Communications Manager Nikki Honer:  ^Our message to people planning to travel home by public transport is ^don^t get caught out when the trains stop running^.

^The bus is the best way home and is well worth considering because the trains don^t run late.

^Our buses will be leaving the Regatta long after the last train has departed and this message is being strongly supported by bus sponsors Henley Royal Regatta, Henley Town Council, South Oxfordshire Community Partnership as well as Wokingham Borough Council.

^All regular bus stops will be served along each route and the cost of travelling home is only ^5 per person.^

[willc]

So never mind the police advice Insider says FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are acting under.

And hands up anyone who believes they will keep their buses running should there be a repeat of last year's problems in Henley in the early hours.

[insider]

Reading Buses will hopefully help FGW^▸ (First Great Western) out by doing this, as the issue that has always been faced is getting the London flow home not the Reading flow.

Oh and I see they are charging ^5 per person. So FGW will get the revenue from Off peak day returns which most people will probably buy then they will fork out another ^5 if they miss the last train. The more ^ any public transport is getting is better in my opinion.

Well done Reading Buses.

(But we will see if they do it again next year, after the rubbish, vomit, and other bodily fluids that will end up on their buses.)