North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025

[whole diary]

[UstiImmigrunt]

So.....aren't the early trains that start at HFD^» (Hereford - next trains) driven by drivers from BPW^» (Bristol Parkway - next trains)? If not, how do they get from Hitachi to their starting point? At least one starts at Hitachi....

And 'who' is doing the forcing? GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)? DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)?

BPW lost Newport Hereford Malvern Wells in May 2022, all ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) moves from Stoke Gifford going via Charfield.

No idea whether it is DaFT^» (Department for Transport - critical sounding abbreviation I discourage - about) or GWR behind it, or possibly both?

Other losses of route knowledge including BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI) but BTM is a commonly used alternative)) HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) saying goodbye to Lydney and Kemble. It has been predicted, the tunnel will shut after a London service has left Newport and when the BTM driver is asked to go the scenic way it will be a "Sorry but no. I could have last week but railway politics trumps common sense".

[Witham Bobby]

So.....aren't the early trains that start at HFD^» (Hereford - next trains) driven by drivers from BPW^» (Bristol Parkway - next trains)? If not, how do they get from Hitachi to their starting point? At least one starts at Hitachi....

And 'who' is doing the forcing? GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)? DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)?

BPW lost Newport Hereford Malvern Wells in May 2022, all ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) moves from Stoke Gifford going via Charfield.

No idea whether it is DaFT^» (Department for Transport - critical sounding abbreviation I discourage - about) or GWR behind it, or possibly both?

Other losses of route knowledge including BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI) but BTM is a commonly used alternative)) HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) saying goodbye to Lydney and Kemble. It has been predicted, the tunnel will shut after a London service has left Newport and when the BTM driver is asked to go the scenic way it will be a "Sorry but no. I could have last week but railway politics trumps common sense".

What a way to run a railroad!

[Worcester_Passenger]

Thursday March 13

Morning 'halts' train, 2E80 07:00 Shrub Hill to Didcot Parkway, started from Oxford.

[Worcester_Passenger]

Saturday March 15

1P13 06:18 Hereford to London Paddington was started from Worcester Shrub Hill due to an issue with the train crew (TH).

1W25 1253 London Paddington to Foregate St was terminated at Reading due to a person hit by a train (XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise))).

13:05 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 15:22 will be terminated at Oxford.
This is due to the emergency services dealing with an incident.
Last Updated:15/03/2025 14:33

13:50 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 16:17 was started from Oxford.
This is due to the emergency services dealing with an incident.
Last Updated:15/03/2025 15:02

14:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 17:14 is being delayed at London Paddington.
This is due to the emergency services dealing with an incident.
Last Updated:15/03/2025 15:00

15:42 : still at Paddington.
17:10 : RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) reporting as cancelled. Forms 1P35 1748 Great Malvern to London Paddington.

15:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 18:29 will be started from Oxford.
This is due to the emergency services dealing with an incident.
Last Updated:15/03/2025 15:48

[Worcester_Passenger]

Sunday March 16

10:50 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 13:15 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
It has been delayed at London Paddington and is now 40 minutes late.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:16/03/2025 11:53

13:58 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 16:24 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Last Updated:16/03/2025 11:53

17:30:

16:58 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 19:25 was terminated at Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9.
Last Updated:16/03/2025 17:15

Additional 17:15 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 19:25 is being delayed at Worcester Shrub Hill and is now expected to be 15 minutes late.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:16/03/2025 17:15

18:00: Additional 17:15 departed Shrub Hill +19, but was held at Norton (+35).

19:00 : Bad News for tomorrow morning - this evening's 1W08 18:50 London Paddington to Hereford is a five-car set, so tomorrow morning's 1P02 05:23 Hereford to London Paddington (08:23) will be crowded.

[Worcester_Passenger]

Monday March 17

05:23 Hereford to London Paddington due 08:23
Facilities on the 05:23 Hereford to London Paddington due 08:23.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9.
Last Updated:17/03/2025 06:12

Later:

17:04 Didcot Parkway to Evesham due 18:23 will be terminated at Oxford.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Last Updated:17/03/2025 14:13

18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Last Updated:17/03/2025 14:15

16:58 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:25 will call additionally at Combe, Finstock, Ascott-Under-Wychwood and Shipton.
This is due to the train making extra stops because a train was cancelled.
Last Updated:17/03/2025 14:17

Later still:
1P42 1904 Great Malvern to Paddington was cancelled after Worcester Shrub Hill "due to a problem with the train (M8)" [RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website)].
The stock ran empty to Paddington and from there to North Pole.

[charles_uk]

Once again

05:23 Hereford to London Paddington due 08:23
Facilities on the 05:23 Hereford to London Paddington due 08:23.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9. Service full and standing from Charlbury.

This is becoming quite a regular occurrence recently. This service was also held Charlbury for 18 minutes due to the late running 06:50 Paddington to Great Malvern service. It departed Hanborough at roughly the time the following 06:43 Worcester Shrub Hill to Paddington train was supposed to arrive, leaving a very full platform of passengers who decided to wait for that train (or, quite possibly, simply couldn't board the crush loaded HFD^» (Hereford - next trains):PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) short-form).

[Worcester_Passenger]

The rest of the day had late running and truncations:

Wednesday March 19

1P02 05:23 Hereford to London Paddington : 5-car. Held Charlbury (+18), as described above, arrived +20.
1P22 08:56 Great Malvern to London Paddington : started from Worcester Shrub Hill
1P28 11:57 Great Malvern to London Paddington : started from Worcester Shrub Hill (+9), arrived +12.
1P44 19:45 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington : started from Shrub Hill.

1W11 05:53 London Paddington to Great Malvern : delayed at Oxford (+19), held Evesham (+38), cancelled after arriving +44 at Worcester Shrub Hill.
1W17 08:51 London Paddington to Great Malvern : delayed near Acton, Reading +19, held Wolvercote (+35), arrived Worcester Shrub Hill +36 and cancelled thereafter.
1W02 11:52 London Paddington to Hereford : delayed before Reading +17, arrived +19.
1W33 16:58 London Paddington to Great Malvern : departed +24, Oxford +38, arrived Worcester Shrub Hill +43 and cancelled thereafter.
1W03 17:34 London Paddington to Hereford : delayed Reading - Oxford (+28), held Wolvercote (+32), arrived +31.
1W34 17:57 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street : held Wolvercote (+13) and Evesham (+33), arrived +35.

[Worcester_Passenger]

Thursday March 20

A day of points failures in the Thames Valley.

1W02 11:52 London Paddington to Hereford (14:44) : departed +16, delayed before Oxford (+45), arrived Worcester Shrub Hill +57 and cancelled thereafter.
1W29 14:53 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street : cancelled throughout due to trespassers.
1W30 15:23 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street (17:47) : started from Oxford (+31), arrived Shrub Hill +27 and cancelled thereafter.
1W31 15:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern : departed +21, held Oxford (+36) and Shrub Hill (+47). Arrived Worcester Foregate Street +48 and cancelled thereafter.
1W03 17:34 London Paddington to Hereford (20:25) : departed +20, arrived +29.
1W34 17:57 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street (20:11) : held Wolvercote and Shrub Hill (+34).

1P24 09:55 Great Malvern to London Paddington (12:23): delayed after Reading, arrived +27.
1P26 10:59 Great Malvern to London Paddington (13:25) : delayed after Reading, arrived +24.
1P28 11:57 Great Malvern to London Paddington (14:23) : delayed after Reading, arrived +72.
1P30 13:16 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington (15:22) : delayed after Reading, arrived +24.
1P04 13:18 Hereford to London Paddington (16:24) : delayed after Reading, arrived +30.
1P05 16:17 Hereford to London Paddington (18:29) : started from Worcester Shrub Hill, delayed after Reading, arrived +17.
1P39 17:26 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington : cancelled throughout.
1P44 19:45 Great Malvern to London Paddington : departed +10, held Henwick (+18),

[Worcester_Passenger]

Friday March 21

09:55 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 12:23 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:21/03/2025 10:25

Later:

19:53 London Paddington to Hereford due 22:57 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:21/03/2025 17:53

Does not bode well for tomorrow's 1P13 06:18 Hereford to London Paddington.

[Worcester_Passenger]

Saturday March 22

Starting the Hereford from Oxford doesn't count:

06:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 09:24 will be started from Oxford.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:22/03/2025 03:03

10:30:

09:50 London Paddington to Hereford due 12:43 is being delayed at London Paddington and is now expected to be 15 minutes late.
This is due to a late running train being in front of this one.
Service full and standing from London Paddington.
Last Updated:22/03/2025 10:04

In the evening, there was an incident at Twyford, and delays at Oxford:
1P39 20:03 Worcester Foregate Street to Paddington (22:23) : delayed after leaving Oxford, and cancelled after arriving Reading +44 due to an issue with the train crew (TH).
1P41 20:20 Hereford to London Paddington (23:38) : held Shrub Hill (+15), delayed before Oxford (+26), arrived +42.
2E98 22:44 Great Malvern to Evesham (23:22) : cancelled throughout.

1W37 18:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern (21:13) : cancelled throughout.
1W39 19:52 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill : started from Reading (+87), cancelled after arriving Shrub Hill +85.
1W43 21:53 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill : held at Oxford (+31), arrived +41.

[Worcester_Passenger]

Monday March 24

05:23 Hereford to London Paddington due 08:23 was started from Great Malvern.
It has been previously delayed but is now 10 minutes late from Pershore.
This is due to train crew being delayed.
Last Updated:24/03/2025 06:55

17:34 London Paddington to Hereford due 20:25 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:24/03/2025 01:41

20:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 23:13 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:24/03/2025 02:02

22:00 Hereford to Worcester Shrub Hill due 22:52 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:24/03/2025 02:04

The 22:00 from Hereford is only going as far as Shrub Hill this week - there's overnight engineering work, described at https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/engineering-works/oxford-and-worcester-shrub-hill-20250324/.

Later:
In the end, the 17:53 made it to Hereford, and the 22:00 return didn't have to be cancelled.

[charles_uk]

A few from yesterday:

1P16 0753 Oxford to London Paddington - This service was cancelled between Worcester Shrub Hill and Oxford due to an issue with the train crew (TG).
1P38 1632 Great Malvern to London Paddington - was diverted between Worcester Shrub Hill & Didcot Parkway missing out the north Cotswolds.
1W03 1734 London Paddington to Ledbury - This service was cancelled between Ledbury and Hereford due to a person hit by a train (XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise))).

[Worcester_Passenger]

Saturday March 29

1P27 1320 Hereford to London Paddington : held Didcot (+36), arrived +42.
1W03 1650 London Paddington to Hereford : departed +30, arrived Worcester Shrub Hill +27 and cancelled thereafter.
1P41 20:20 Hereford to London Paddington : started from Worcester Shrub Hill.

Sunday March 30

10:50 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 13:15 will be starting late from London Paddington.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.
Last Updated:30/03/2025 10:36

30/03/25 15:50 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 18:15 will be started from Reading.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:29/03/2025 22:29

16:50 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:15 will be terminated at Reading.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:30/03/2025 04:58

The 10:50 departed +25, was held at Wolvercote (+40) and Evesham (+54). It arrived Foregate St +54 and was cancelled thereafter.

1W03 1250 London Paddington to Hereford departed +25, was held at Wolvercote and arrived +37.

The 15:50 and 16:50 have now disappeared from the list of changes.

19:20 :

16:58 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 19:26 was terminated at Reading.
It will no longer call at London Paddington.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:30/03/2025 19:11

Later:

18:50 London Paddington to Hereford due 21:55 will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-In-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore and Worcestershire Parkway Hl.
It is being delayed at London Paddington.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:30/03/2025 20:33

Departed Paddington +22. Delayed at Radley (+35) and Oxford (+53). Arrived Shrub Hill +30.