Early morning train service boost for Devon and Cornwall business (Dec 2010)

[whole diary]

[devon_metro]

From fgw.co.uk

A new train service proposed by First Great Western to strengthen business links between the Westcountry and London has been approved by the Department for Transport.

From December, the new early morning train will leave Paddington at 0706 and arrive in Paignton at 1017, allowing people travelling from London to do a fuller day^s business in the region.

By making a simple cross-platform change at Exeter St Davids or Newton Abbott, customers can be in Plymouth by 1040, Truro at 1200 and Penzance at 1240.

The service was not included as part of First Great Western^s original franchise agreement, but the company has been hoping to include it in its regular schedules for some time.

The announcement of the new service has been welcomed in the region.

continues...

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?id=649

Projected timings:
0706 Paddington
0733 Reading
xxxx Newbury
xxxx Pewsey
xxxx Westbury
xxxx Castle Cary
0902 Taunton
0930 Exeter St Davids
0952 Newton Abbot
1004 Torre
1008 Torquay
1017 Paignton

[John R]

That's great news, and long overdue.

Though it's a bit puzzling that the service runs to Paignton not Plymouth, as any late running could mean a lost connection and defeat the whole object of the exercise for Plymouth bound pax. Anyone know or hazard a guess why it runs to Paignton (and also, where FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are magicing up an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) from)?

[devon_metro]

I suspect Torbay council has put some funding forward for this!

[James Vertigan]

Well this is a little bit better than the service that is currently in operation - I believe the earliest direct train to Devon and Cornwall is currently the 07:30 Paddington-Penzance (via Bristol), though that doesn't get to Penzance until 13:18.

Still not good for anyone who wants to get to Tiverton Parkway from London early without having to change though, I'm guessing the 08:18 will still be the earliest for that.

TVP seems to be a bit neglected when it comes to early trains to/from London because the Sleeper doesn't stop there either.

[John R]

I suspect that Tiverton Parkway is more used by people parking there in the morning and returning in the evening. So maybe its not so much of an issue?

[woody]

Good news for Torbay,in reality no change for Plymouth and beyond.Dont think Air South West will loose sleep on this one.Fly London City to Plymouth in 70 minutes arrive 1035 or the best part of a 4 hour journey including a dodgy change at Newton Abbot.(No competition).

[Super Guard]

Good news for Torbay,in reality no change for Plymouth and beyond.Dont think Air South West will loose sleep on this one.Fly London City to Plymouth in 70 minutes arrive 1035 or the best part of a 4 hour journey including a dodgy change at Newton Abbot.(No competition).

Ah yes, I thought the ASW spokesperson would pipe up.  If they were trying to compete they'd run it to Plymouth and depart London at 0600 calling Reading, Exeter, Plymouth arriving 0900.  I don't think FGW^▸ (First Great Western) will be losing any sleep on whether or not ASW give a hoot about this service to be honest.

[devon_metro]

Good news for Torbay,in reality no change for Plymouth and beyond.Dont think Air South West will loose sleep on this one.Fly London City to Plymouth in 70 minutes arrive 1035 or the best part of a 4 hour journey including a dodgy change at Newton Abbot.(No competition).

It will be a cross platform change at Exeter St Davids, which will be held I would expect. And if the worst comes to the worst, there is a XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) Voyager not too far behind.

[inspector_blakey]

Anyone know or hazard a guess why it runs to Paignton (and also, where FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are magicing up an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) from)?

Maybe there's a good reason that the 142s can show London Paddington on the destination blind...

[vacman]

Good news for Torbay,in reality no change for Plymouth and beyond.Dont think Air South West will loose sleep on this one.Fly London City to Plymouth in 70 minutes arrive 1035 or the best part of a 4 hour journey including a dodgy change at Newton Abbot.(No competition).

I don't see your point Mr ASW? this train is ADDITIONAL to everything that runs now?

[Tim]

Good news for Torbay,in reality no change for Plymouth and beyond.Dont think Air South West will loose sleep on this one.Fly London City to Plymouth in 70 minutes arrive 1035 or the best part of a 4 hour journey including a dodgy change at Newton Abbot.(No competition).

I don't see your point Mr ASW? this train is ADDITIONAL to everything that runs now?

In addition to slightly improved timing it is extra capacity on a route that often needs it.

[Henry]

 Good that it will hopefully supply an extra service to London from Newton Abbot, without changing at Exeter.

[woody]

The new 0706 Paddington/Paignton is not by any chance the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) set currently used on the 0818 Paddington/Exeter st Davids and return 1155 Exeter/Paddington service retimed and extended through to Paignton by any chance?.Just a thought.

[Super Guard]

The new 0706 Paddington/Paignton is not by any chance the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) set currently used on the 0818 Paddington/Exeter st Davids and return 1155 Exeter/Paddington service retimed and extended through to Paignton by any chance?.Just a thought.

Doesn't sound like it:

"Devon and Cornwall Business Council Chief Executive, Jeremy Filmer-Bennet said: ^ We are delighted by the announcement of two extra HST services for the west country this will further enhance the the opportunity to growth economies of Devon and Cornwall, as well give a greater real connectivity for business in the region"

And further more the article refers to the fact you can be in Exeter for 0930 rather than worrying about Plymouth - whether right or wrong for those wanting to travel to Plymouth early from London, this is clearly more about Devon & Torbay than any sort of competition with ASW for Plymouth.

Remember also there is a gap for Torbay & Newton Abbot for a HST service between 1045 & 1245 going back to London as 1A81 PNZ-PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) runs non-stop PLY^» (Plymouth - next trains)-EXD^» (Exeter St Davids - next trains) and as you say 1A82 starts at EXD at 1155.

[chrisoates]

This was mentioned in the duplicate thread...

"I personally think that xc should use there hst's and give fgw some 221's to run a penzance-exeter service with tilt enabled"

Didn't XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) disable all their 'tilts'