Longer connection times at Truro Does this affect yourself

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

Gentlemen, please! 

I rather think the point here is that the 150 is already accounted for, in terms of pathing: it can't just be 'hijacked' into picking up those left behind on the main line, if the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) were to have reduced stops? 

[Btline]

I rather think the point here is that the 150 is already accounted for, in terms of pathing: it can't just be 'hijacked' into picking up those left behind on the main line, if the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) were to have reduced stops? 

Shame. I suppose that if the InterCity service was run by a 2 x 5 coach train (like the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.)), it could be split at Plymouth (or Exeter) into a fast and slow portion.

[John R]

I rather think the point here is that the 150 is already accounted for, in terms of pathing: it can't just be 'hijacked' into picking up those left behind on the main line, if the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) were to have reduced stops? 

Shame. I suppose that if the InterCity service was run by a 2 x 5 coach train (like the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.)), it could be split at Plymouth (or Exeter) into a fast and slow portion.

Now that's a much better idea. Indeed until very recently FGW^▸ (First Great Western) had some stock that would have fitted the bill nicely, but that's another story. 

Even better, cascade some tilting voyagers that really shouldn't run under the wires to Scotland, and run two 5 car sets to Plymouth and split beyond Plymouth. Tilt enable some key sections of line such as Exeter to Plymouth, and you could get some decent journey time reductions.

You'd also have to eliminate the toilet smell though!

[Btline]

...until very recently FGW^▸ (First Great Western) had some stock that would have fitted the bill nicely, but that's another story.

You said it, not me!

Even better, cascade some tilting voyagers that really shouldn't run under the wires to Scotland, and run two 5 car sets to Plymouth and split beyond Plymouth. Tilt enable some key sections of line such as Exeter to Plymouth, and you could get some decent journey time reductions.

I like this idea - despite the use of Voyagers. You would have to refurb them first to provide a decent travelling environment. When are people going to realise that tilting trains are required to slash journey times?

We could have, said by Phil Sayer (a la: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSQ-N4TCjhg ):

"Platform 2, for the 1006 First Great Western service to Penzance. Calling at Reading, Taunton* and Exeter St Davids, where the train will then divide. Please ensure you travel on the correct portion of this train. Passengers for: Newton Abbot, Totnes, Plymouth, Bodmin Parkway, Truro and Penzance, must travel in the front 5 coaches, furthest from the ticket barrier at platform 2. Passengers for Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Totnes, Ivybridge, Plymouth, Liskard, Bodmin Parkway, Lostwithiel, Par, St Austell, Truro, Redruth, Camborne, Hayle, St Erth and Penzance, must travel in the rear 5 coaches, nearest the ticket barrier at Platform 2. Passengers for Paignton should change at Newton Abbot. First Class accommodation is available on this train. A buffet service of hot and cold drinks, snacks and light refreshments is available on this train. A travelling chef service is available on this train. Platform 2, for the 1006 First Great Western service to Penzance."

That would compete with the "Portsmouth Harbour and Bognor Regis" announcement!

*Tauton stop fits in, as train has better acceleration.

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

isnt it scary how the voyagers seem like a good idea

[vacman]

...until very recently FGW^▸ (First Great Western) had some stock that would have fitted the bill nicely, but that's another story.

You said it, not me!

Even better, cascade some tilting voyagers that really shouldn't run under the wires to Scotland, and run two 5 car sets to Plymouth and split beyond Plymouth. Tilt enable some key sections of line such as Exeter to Plymouth, and you could get some decent journey time reductions.

I like this idea - despite the use of Voyagers. You would have to refurb them first to provide a decent travelling environment. When are people going to realise that tilting trains are required to slash journey times?

We could have, said by Phil Sayer (a la: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSQ-N4TCjhg ):

"Platform 2, for the 1006 First Great Western service to Penzance. Calling at Reading, Taunton* and Exeter St Davids, where the train will then divide. Please ensure you travel on the correct portion of this train. Passengers for: Newton Abbot, Totnes, Plymouth, Bodmin Parkway, Truro and Penzance, must travel in the front 5 coaches, furthest from the ticket barrier at platform 2. Passengers for Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Totnes, Ivybridge, Plymouth, Liskard, Bodmin Parkway, Lostwithiel, Par, St Austell, Truro, Redruth, Camborne, Hayle, St Erth and Penzance, must travel in the rear 5 coaches, nearest the ticket barrier at Platform 2. Passengers for Paignton should change at Newton Abbot. First Class accommodation is available on this train. A buffet service of hot and cold drinks, snacks and light refreshments is available on this train. A travelling chef service is available on this train. Platform 2, for the 1006 First Great Western service to Penzance."

That would compete with the "Portsmouth Harbour and Bognor Regis" announcement!

*Tauton stop fits in, as train has better acceleration.

No point in the slow portion calling at Bodmin and Truro really though!

[devon_metro]

It allows local travel within Cornwall however.

I wouldn't support such as scheme. No way I would want to swap HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) for some underfloor engine pile of crap that should be scrapped. Then of course what happens when the rear 5 is more busy? More paths need to be paid for, more staff blah blah.

[Paul R]

Thank you every body for your replies on this one while I have been away.
I also contacted the Convergence Cornwall office as they where mentioned in the press releases and they where very helpful in passing on my query to Cornwall Councils Transport Policy Officer who asked the General Manager at First Great Western to contact myself.
This he did on Friday, unfortunately I was not around to take the call but he left a very clear comprehensive message in answer to my query. I feel genuinely privileged to have received ecellent feedback from such a high level.

He explained the situation where the branch service was a fixed clock rotation that had to best fit with the main line non clock rotation taking into account the mainline shared track.

So from this my understanding is the situation came about because FGW^▸ (First Great Western) had to produce a fixed "Clock Rotation" timetable that I believe was requested by Cornwall Council ?

This seams to be the nub of the problem as the shared main line is non Clock Rotation and the new timetable is a best fit for the whole day. I have not looked to if its possible, but maybe having more flexible timings though out the day on the branch could help?  Dare I say it less trains more connected please.

In reply to the previously tight times, yes ten minutes would be better for the stress levels especially if picking up tickets.

[Btline]

I expect the infrastructure only allows hourly or half hourly (with the stock available).

Seeing as they have just spent millions on the loop, I doubt they are going to cut the train numbers back to hourly!

[RailCornwall]

Another added complication has to be that every train on the branch occupies the down main at Truro for around a minute so any changes to the branch timings have to avoid services to Penzance as well. 

[Andy]

Combining comments made on timings on the branch and connections, does anyone think that it may be worth reinstating the Falmouth-London through service which operated (though not daily by then) until the end of the 1970s ?

[RailCornwall]

If Newquay has a Summer only HST^▸ (High Speed Train) from Paddington, I don't see why a Saturday Only service isn't at least trialled in 2010 or 2011. The only major issue being whether a HST can turn around in 3 minutes at Falmouth Docks to fit the clockface. In addition the selective door operation would perhaps be difficult to organise.

[FarWestJohn]

I travelled on a strange train yesterday 1240 Newquay through train to Truro arrived 1401 but it did not stop at Goonhavern or Perranporth.

Good connection at Truro for Perranwell though.

[Andy]

I travelled on a strange train yesterday 1240 Newquay through train to Truro arrived 1401 but it did not stop at Goonhavern or Perranporth.

Good connection at Truro for Perranwell though.

50 years ago, we could have travelled to London by direct train from Perranporth  - or St Agnes, St Ives, Carbis Bay, Falmouth, Penryn, Padstow, Wadebridge, Camelford, Launceston and Bude. Ah well...

[Phil]

50 years ago, we could have travelled to London by direct train from Perranporth  - or St Agnes, St Ives, Carbis Bay, Falmouth, Penryn, Padstow, Wadebridge, Camelford, Launceston and Bude. Ah well...

Excuse me, but am I to understand from what you are saying that 50 years ago there was a direct train from St Agnes to London? St Agnes is in the Isles of Scilly, right?