Winter Timetables

[whole diary]

[Timmer]

FGW^▸ (First Great Western): http://firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=4505

SWT^▸ (South West Trains): http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/pockettimetables.aspx (scroll to the bottom of the page)

[devon_metro]

I like the fact that enhanced catering services are highlighted and glad to see that the popular Travelling Chef Select has been expanded.

[Mookiemoo]

What is the difference between Travelling Chef and Travelling Chef Select?

[IndustryInsider]

What is the difference between Travelling Chef and Travelling Chef Select?

Takes two minutes to look up on the website: http://firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=3988

[grahame]

What is the difference between Travelling Chef and Travelling Chef Select?

Takes two minutes to look up on the website: http://firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=3988

... and then you need to look at http://firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=1124 in another window if you want to make a comparison to find out what the difference is 

[Mookiemoo]

Now you see - if the two slices of toast with Jam were available on the normal chef menu - I take back every criticism of the TC^‡(resolve) menu and you'd have a dedicated customer five days a week!

[inspector_blakey]

What are the chances of the travelling chef select being available on Christmas Eve? I'm booked on the 0945 Swansea after an overnight flight and am likely to be hungry...

[JayMac]

What are the chances of the travelling chef select being available on Christmas Eve? I'm booked on the 0945 Swansea after an overnight flight and am likely to be hungry...

Journey Planners showing hot food as available on that service on Xmas Eve. But they not always a reliable source of info. Very least should get a Breakfast Bap if you can stomach one of them - only marginally better than a nuked burger.

[IndustryInsider]

Whilst on the surface the Cotswold Line doesn't appear to altered, with the extra mid-morning train from Moreton that has been discussed on here, it's noticable that the weekend service continues to be eroded HST^▸ (High Speed Train) wise with no less than five Saturday return trips and one Sunday return trip reverting back to Turbos. The only people pleased about that will be the complainers at Malvern Wells!

To be honest a few of the Saturday services will be OK capacity wise as a Turbo - save except for the usual crush between Slough and Paddington, but the three afternoon ones and the Sunday evening one will be wedged from Oxford unless a nice empty Turbo is attached at Oxford!

[Mookiemoo]

Whilst on the surface the Cotswold Line doesn't appear to altered, with the extra mid-morning train from Moreton that has been discussed on here, it's noticable that the weekend service continues to be eroded HST^▸ (High Speed Train) wise with no less than five Saturday return trips and one Sunday return trip reverting back to Turbos. The only people pleased about that will be the complainers at Malvern Wells!

To be honest a few of the Saturday services will be OK capacity wise as a Turbo - save except for the usual crush between Slough and Paddington, but the three afternoon ones and the Sunday evening one will be wedged from Oxford unless a nice empty Turbo is attached at Oxford!

But that does not take into account............."Would you want to sit on a 165 for 2.5 hours?"

[DevonTrains2008]

the SWT^▸ (South West Trains) Exeter - Waterloo timetable changes are very pleasing 

also, at the back of the Exeter - Waterloo there is something about 'Yeovil 150' ?

[IndustryInsider]

But that does not take into account............."Would you want to sit on a 165 for 2.5 hours?"

No, it doesn't, and I'm sure a small amount of custom will be lost as a result. However, I think the general consensus is that, although not ideal, Turbos are acceptable to most people as long as there is plenty of space on board. In some of these cases I don't think there will be and that's what concerns me!

I wonder if the CLPG^» (Cotswold Line Promotion Group - about) or the press will pick up on it? Though even they don't seem to get in such a froth when it's only the poor weekend passengers who are affected and not the long-suffering commuters.

[devon_metro]

I find 165s perfectly acceptable, its the 166s with their shoddy air circulation that are the problem.

[Mookiemoo]

But that does not take into account............."Would you want to sit on a 165 for 2.5 hours?"

No, it doesn't, and I'm sure a small amount of custom will be lost as a result. However, I think the general consensus is that, although not ideal, Turbos are acceptable to most people as long as there is plenty of space on board. In some of these cases I don't think there will be and that's what concerns me!

I wonder if the CLPG^» (Cotswold Line Promotion Group - about) or the press will pick up on it? Though even they don't seem to get in such a froth when it's only the poor weekend passengers who are affected and not the long-suffering commuters.

It will be the regulars and the semi regulars that will be lost

Auntie Peggie who travels once or twice a year to see family will grumble as will the students returning home a few times a year - but hey, they'll forget by the next time.

It will be the weekday travellers who may travel extra at weekend (surprisingly few have season tickets - I see people on there 3+ days a week sometimes buying daily returns - insanity) who will see a turbo service and go - no way.. And those who do it one twice a month ......... they will look at the 40 minute journey to BHM and then the London advance tickets on Virgin in favour if they live worcester side or if they live evesham side, then chiltern.  

For the weekend services - surely its the semi regulars you want to keep?

[Mookiemoo]

I find 165s perfectly acceptable, its the 166s with their shoddy air circulation that are the problem.

See - if I had a 166 I'd at least be happy with a table to work on for the 2.5 hours I have to endure it