Additional Trains to Weymouth during the Olympic Weeks

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

SWT^▸ (South West Trains) say they cannot run extra services due to 'power supply restrictions'. That wouldn't be relevant if they were to run 158/159s. Perhaps the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) and Olympic Delivery Authority have asked SWT to look again at train provision to Weymouth during the Olympics.

[MrC]

Not sure if it's related, but SWT^▸ (South West Trains) have been route clearing a 158/159 combo between Bournemouth, Wareham, Dorchester South and Weymouth in the last week.
L

When was this? 158/159 are already cleared Branksome-Dorchester Jcn, albeit with speed restrictions, and 158s run regularly Dorchester Jcn - Weymouth and have done for years. There is overnight 444 regen testing last/this week but not sure if they involve 158/159 stock or even an off-lease 460. Will try to find out more.

[WSW Frome]

Just checked the new May 2012 timetables and these show one additional return train Cardiff to Weymouth during the two Olympic "fortnights." These depart Cardiff ca 07.00 and Weymouth ca 18.00 every day, calling at principal stations only.

At least the higher powers have offered some extra provision for the sailing enthusiasts travelling on the Heart of Wessex route. Any gossip on whether these might be formed of HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train)? HST stop boards have been provided over the past two years and Network Rail have been busy track fettling (very necessary) in recent months especially south of Castle Cary and at Maiden Newton.

[Btline]

It's ridiculous that no more efforts have gone into improving Weymouth's rail service. Not even 10 car trains to to Weymouth from Waterloo. HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) should be run to Weymouth from B'ham and London Padd.

The budget has been bled dry. Hasn't stopped lots of new DLR^▸ (Docklands Light Railway) lines that'l probably run half empty post Olympics...

As for Stratford International - it's a joke. To get to Canary Wharf you have to change, or walk to Stratford BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) so it's pointless for Kent commuters.

[ReWind]

No HST^▸ (High Speed Train) services from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are running to Weymouth for the Olympics!  The Additional services mentioned above are rumouring to consist of 5 car DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) consist ( A 3 and 2 car Class 158 ) but this is just a rumour I have heard so can't confirm for sure!

[anthony215]

I wa told FGW^▸ (First Great Western) had decided to not hire in a loco hauled rake to release  some dmu's to provide extra capacity for the olympic's.

That 07:00 from Cardiff to Bristol is currently the crosscountry service to Manchester so that has been cut back to Bristol TM^‡(resolve) I believe

[Chris from Nailsea]

It's ridiculous that no more efforts have gone into improving Weymouth's rail service. Not even 10 car trains to to Weymouth from Waterloo. HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) should be run to Weymouth from B'ham and London Padd.

That's all very well, old boy, but where are those additional HSTs to be conjured from? 

[JayMac]

A HST^▸ (High Speed Train) set could always be taken off a Cotswold Line diagram.

 

[Chris from Nailsea]

Indeed: Worcester is generally over-provided for in HST^▸ (High Speed Train) services anyway. 

[The Grecian]

Weymouth has had 2 trains per hour from Waterloo since 2007 - effectively making 9-10 carriages per hour (depending whether the semi-fast service is a 444 or 450) and nearly 600 standard class seats. Although I've rarely used it in mid-summer, my personal experience is that SWT^▸ (South West Trains) services seem to be very lightly loaded south of Dorchester. Still, the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) specified 2 trains per hour due to the Olympics so we'll see how that works.

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Bristol-Weymouth services are always very popular on sunny days in the school holidays anyway so I assume FGW will take this into account.

[JayMac]

....and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) now have more units in the Bristol area to play around with.

I suspect things will be jiggered around with to provide a 4 or 5 car service for the 0700 from Cardiff and 1800 from Weymouth.

A HST^▸ (High Speed Train) would be nice for the weekend extra services though.....

[Temple Meads]

I wa told FGW^▸ (First Great Western) had decided to not hire in a loco hauled rake to release  some dmu's to provide extra capacity

I'm not surprised, if they bought in a loco hauled set the extra capacity would soon be eroded by railfans riding it 

[anthony215]

I wa told FGW^▸ (First Great Western) had decided to not hire in a loco hauled rake to release  some dmu's to provide extra capacity

I'm not surprised, if they bought in a loco hauled set the extra capacity would soon be eroded by railfans riding it 

Actually the loco hauled set was planned to be used on the Cardiff - Taunton route, I think the same as the original loco hauled  diagram this would have freed up one of the 3 carriage class 150's

[readytostart]

These are the additional XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) services, apologies if someone has already posted them elsewhere:

The following additional CrossCountry train services will operate direct to and from Weymouth on the dates shown:
Mondays to Fridays 30 July to 10 August & Monday 3 to Thursday 6 September
06.04 Birmingham New Street to Weymouth (arrives 10.15)
05.11 Manchester Piccadilly to Weymouth (arrives 11.13)
17.41 Weymouth to Manchester Piccadilly (arrives 23.37)
18.30 Weymouth to Birmingham New Street (arrives 22.45)
11.35 Weymouth to Bournemouth (arrives 12.28) calling at Wareham (12.05) and Poole (12.16)
12.35 Bournemouth to Weymouth (arrives 13.23) calling at Poole (12.48) and Wareham (12.59)
Saturdays 4, 11 August & 1 September
06.04 Birmingham New Street to Weymouth (arrives 10.15)
05.11 Manchester Piccadilly to Weymouth (arrives 11.13)
17.35 Weymouth to Manchester Piccadilly (arrives 23.32)
18.36 Weymouth to Birmingham New Street (arrives 22.48)
11.35 Weymouth to Bournemouth (arrives 12.28) calling at Wareham (12.05) and Poole (12.16)
12.35 Bournemouth to Weymouth (arrives 13.23) calling at Poole (12.48) and Wareham (12.59)
Sundays 29 July, 5 August & 2 September
08.51 Southampton Central to Weymouth (arrives 10.08)
18.38 Weymouth to Birmingham New Street (arrives 22.42)
10.38 Weymouth to Bournemouth arrives (11.24) calling at Wareham (11.04) and Poole (11.15)
11.35 Bournemouth to Weymouth arrives (12.22) calling at Poole (11.44) and Wareham (11.55)

All Voyagers I'm afraid as our HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) can't go South of Reading.

[Btline]

I hope they are 5 car! I doubt they'll be double voyagers due to the platform at Reading.

So already rammed trains will have more people squeezing in! It's going to be chaos...