Perranwell ... some of the natives are still restless.

[whole diary]

[grahame]

and my sincerest apologies for drifting so far off topic

Don't worry ... I have split the topic as it had gone off onto two really long and disconnected branches (like Mallaig and Kyle of Lochalsh) ... and no-one had much of a chance of keeping everyone happy as they posted onwards.


The HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) / Kent topic is now at:
     http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=4930.0

And we can carry on with Perranwell here.

Interesting, the Kent changes, the Perranwell changes, the TransWilts changes in December 2006 and the removal of the Bristol - Oxford service a couple of years before that can all be characterised by alterations which withdraw services / facilities that some people have come to rely on (perhaps just a retiming by less than 30 minutes at Perranwell, more severe in the other cases). 

Even a small and apparently insignificant change can course major problems - such things are not just a matter of when a train runs, but can alter the whole social / economic setup for some or many.  I can find you people who have had to give up their jobs because of changes to train routes and timetables ...

[FarWestJohn]

I regularly use Perranwell station and greatly appreciate the improved service.

The only thing I have brought up with FGW^▸ (First Great Western) is the connections at Truro with the main line. If the opposite hourly train stopped in the up direction the problem would be solved. This would also bring back hopefully the previous 0910 [0913 previously] first off peak train that had good connections to Penzance, St.Ives and Plymouth.

I have had no problems with trains stopping to alight or board in either direction and all train crew have been friendly when I have requested a stop..

I do not see why anyone should be confused or have anything to complain about from the notice that says 'some' of the trains stop on request when in fact 'all' trains that are scheduled stop on request.

Fuss about nothing.

[eightf48544]

I do not see why anyone should be confused or have anything to complain about from the notice that says 'some' of the trains stop on request when in fact 'all' trains that are scheduled stop on request.

Fuss about nothing.

Not quite sure I agree with your Comment. I think both "some" and "all" are both potentialy confusing in this situation.

"Some" is probaly worse, as it immediately raises the question "which" trains stop by request.

"All" I would take to mean all trains passing through the station, which I understand is not teh case at Perranwell.

This is a classic case of where you need to apply Kipling's poem.

I keep six honest serving-men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.

If you provide answers to all of these acurately then you've probably given teh best inforamtion possible.

The interesting one to answer is "why" eg Why is it a request stop.

Does anyone know the percentage of potential trains that could stop, don't stop due to no potential joiners or leavers? If it's greater than 50% (possibly 60%) then why is it a request stop?

[FarWestJohn]

I basically feel that my local station at Perranwell with an approximate usage of 200 a week [assuming stats are correct] is extremely lucky to have an hourly service request stop or not. Especially in comparison to Melksham's problems.

[RailCornwall]

I too use Perranwell, I now know why the stopping services are the 20 past departures from either end, apparantly the 50 departures tie in with the old times on the line and were therefore considered to be used more extensively rather than the 'newer services'. It makes sense to use the relatively heavier used single car to skip Perranwell. Hopefully when demand levels out this decision can be reversed, and the better connected 50 departures can be timetabled to stop instead. 

[Chris2]

I basically feel that my local station at Perranwell with an approximate usage of 200 a week [assuming stats are correct] is extremely lucky to have an hourly service request stop or not. Especially in comparison to Melksham's problems.

If the stats are correct that works out at about 28 passengers a day. Perranwell during the week has about 20 trains that can stop a day so that is just over 1 passenger per train. Does this seem sensible, or are the stats for Perranwell incorrect and underestimating usage? Does more than one passenger board each train as the article kind of implies this? What do the staff think?

[jester]

There are definately more people travelling from Perranwell, seemingly due to the lack of buses which coincided with the new timetable. It also shows some people using it one way and busing the other (bus pass users mostly) I have met lots of new train users, both youg and old, mostly commenting on the convenience into Truro and how inexpensive thee journey is.

[RailCornwall]

The residents of Perranwell should be even more delighted NR^» (Network Rail - home page) (Birse) are installing new lighting this week, the groundwork seems to replicate that done at Penryn so should be much better.

[RailCornwall]

.... and the new information point trunking is now being installed. Unfortunately it seems to be passive like those recently installed in Truro. Would have liked some screen display but this is a good step forward.

[vacman]

.... and the new information point trunking is now being installed. Unfortunately it seems to be passive like those recently installed in Truro. Would have liked some screen display but this is a good step forward.

It's meant to have a screen on it along with all the unmanned stations

[Nemesis]

All the trains booked to stop at Perranwell do so if there is a customer waiting on the platform.  Similarly, stops are made, (if booked), for pax on board trains who wish to alight there. 

I overheard a driver telling a guard that there is a laid down procedure of buzzer signals to indicate when a stop is required for passengers already on a train.

[JayMac]

I overheard a driver telling a guard.....

 

[RailCornwall]

.... and the new information point trunking is now being installed. Unfortunately it seems to be passive like those recently installed in Truro. Would have liked some screen display but this is a good step forward.

It's meant to have a screen on it along with all the unmanned stations

The new passive screenless terminal at Perranwell was cut into service yesterday afternoon, has three buttons, an emergency, a call for travel information assistance and a computer generated announcement message (as per the old small blue box type) one.