Taunton- Bristol/Cardiff service

[whole diary]

[Jez]

Travelled on this service yesterday (and apart from the huge overcrowding between BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI)) and Weston-super-Mare as it was a one carriage 153) the service down to Taunton was fine.

On the 16.05 from Taunton we were told we would have to change trains at BTM even tho the train was scheduled to run to Cardiff. It turned out the one carriage 153 was being used for the 17.10 Bristol Temple Meads to Bristol Parkway service so everyone had to get off and go to the next platform where there was a 150 waiting to continue the journey to Cardiff. I found this quite strange, although they did need a 2 carriage train from BTM to CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains) as it was peak travel time then why didnt they just attach another carriage at BTM? Does this happen often as ive never had this before.

Also the 150 at Temple Meads appeared to be a new one just out of refurbishment.  Looks lovely inside.

I do think that they need at least a 2 car on the Taunton-Cardiff service tho, especially peak time. The 9.00am from Cardiff which we caught was quite full between Patchway and Weston-super-Mare. Ideally it should be a 158 but a 150 would be fine.

[bemmy]

It's very common for cross Bristol services to be unexpectedly terminated at Temple Meads. It happened to me this morning in fact, on the one due to leave for Parkway at 0946, I don't know if the train failed but some of the doors weren't working at Parson St. They announced it after we'd been at Temple Meads for several minutes.

As I was only going to Lawrence Hill and advised to wait for the 1034 I walked the remainder of my journey. Unfortunately that turned out to be the wettest part of the day. 

Train failure (and the resulting overcrowding on following services or short formed services) seems to be the biggest problem round here now, and experiences like this must put off hundreds of potential regular customers from using the smaller stations every year.

[Lee]

The 17:14 Weston-Super-Mare-Bristol Parkway & 18:11 Bristol Parkway-Weston-Super-Mare services terminated at/restarted from Bristol Temple Meads this evening.

[bemmy]

So that's at least two in one day. I believe the 1811 is the only through train from Stapleton Rd and Lawrence Hill to Bedminster and Parson St (as far as I know). As my meeting finished at 12.30 it wasn't exactly convenient for me, so I walked home via town!

[Lee]

The 17:14 Weston-Super-Mare-Bristol Parkway & 18:11 Bristol Parkway-Weston-Super-Mare services terminated at/restarted from Bristol Temple Meads this evening.

And did so this evening as well.

[devon_metro]

Failed to mention the signalling problems.

[smithy]

It's very common for cross Bristol services to be unexpectedly terminated at Temple Meads. It happened to me this morning in fact, on the one due to leave for Parkway at 0946, I don't know if the train failed but some of the doors weren't working at Parson St. They announced it after we'd been at Temple Meads for several minutes.

As I was only going to Lawrence Hill and advised to wait for the 1034 I walked the remainder of my journey. Unfortunately that turned out to be the wettest part of the day. 

Train failure (and the resulting overcrowding on following services or short formed services) seems to be the biggest problem round here now, and experiences like this must put off hundreds of potential regular customers from using the smaller stations every year.

correct train failed 1 engine not working and no electric to work doors.

you could of caught the class 142 london padd service that was running behind

[Lee]

Failed to mention the signalling problems.

Fair point.

I was more making the point that the 17:14 Weston-Super-Mare-Bristol Parkway & 18:11 Bristol Parkway-Weston-Super-Mare services have terminated at/restarted from Bristol Temple Meads two days in a row, rather than apportioning blame for it.

[Jez]

On Monday it wasnt down to a fault with the train.  There just doesnt seem much logic in terminating that 1605 from Taunton at BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI)) if the train was being used straight away for the 1710 from BTM to Parkway. Might as well timetable the service at Taunton-Bristol Parkway in that case.

[Steve44]

Is it a scheduled 1 carriage service normally? Maybe it was a short formation because of an earlier fault?

[devon_metro]

I was in Bristol the other day and the 1321 Bristol - Severn Tunnel Junction (Taunton - Cardiff) was 1v2

[Jez]

Is it a scheduled 1 carriage service normally? Maybe it was a short formation because of an earlier fault?

I think the Taunton service is a mix of 1 or 2 carriage trains depending on whether its a 150 or 143/150 running the service. It really should be 2 carriages tho.

[smithy]

Is it a scheduled 1 carriage service normally? Maybe it was a short formation because of an earlier fault?

booked 2 car but set failiures and shortages sometimes mean running a 153.that way fgw dont get fined as service is not cancelled just overcrowded instead.

[bemmy]

A one car train isn't a big deal in the middle of the day, but when it happens anywhere near the peak, that means passengers can't get on the train, which from the unlucky passenger's point of view is exactly the same as a cancellation. Except a bit more annoying as you see the train and have to restrain yourself from shouting at the unfortunate guard who can't let you on.

But of course statistically, the train runs, and statistics are more important than reality these days. 

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

is it me or are the class 142's now the most reliable?? i suppose they do have the newest engines and they had so many faults at the start of there lifes that the engineers know what to look for