Well this has to be the stupidest planning decision to the outside observer - albeit I'm sure there are operational reasons.
1722 PAD» - HFD» - departs reading 1848
1822 PAD - HFD - departs reading 1859
Both running through to HFD
So you're going to have TWO full HST▸ 's following each other up the cotswolds line within 10 minutes or so of each other. Yet the NRES▸ is showing the 1822 will arrive on time - if that happens I'll buy a nice chewy hat and eat it with ketchup.
Meanwhile they terminated the 1751 which seemed to go through on time at oxford.
I feel for those on that 1722.....as was I until Reading. We came to a halt justr outside Reading (nothing uusual there....) and sat, and sat.....a few realised that there where no HSTs running on the upline beside us, and started to wonder....no announcements for 12 minutes, then we're told the driver is coming 'through' the train checking.....it turns out he was outside the train, inspecting the axles....30 minutes down, it pulled into platform 9 and I alighted & left it. But we got only three announcvements, and the third was as we started to move.
Yet another HST dies....seems as though
FGWs▸ maintenance is slipping....
The 1751 was a 3car turbo last night, so couldn't work to HFD, and getting three trains down the Cotswolds nigh impossible.
What I weant to know is what arrangements were put in place at HFD for any passengers aiming to catch that 2153 return to Oxford. You don't generally turn up early enough to be put in a cab to Worcester in time to catch it, so I guess the Hereford taxis did well?.....