Cheapest Fare from Taplow to Swindon via Paddington and Banbury

[whole diary]

[eightf48544]

As a secret track basher, i.e. I remember where I've been and don't mark up my Baker or worst still my Quail.

The chance to get Foxhall curve with the Reading blockade plus OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) to West Ruislip appeals. However, as the normal fare from Taplow is via Reading this means I'm getting quite expensive fares if I add via Padd.

A straight Taplow to Swindon enquiry on Nationalrail gives me train to Maidenhead Bus to Didcot! and then train  a 2 hour 6' journey for a 55 mile journey or 26 mph

Any thoughts of splitting, there doesn't seem to be times at Banbury (for a split) so is it an unadvertised stop?  If they are picking up setting down at Banbury I could go from Beconsfiled.

Otherwise it might be drive to Oxford as some trains have a booked stop at Oxford.

[super tm]

If you want some track bashing there are a couple of direct services from Paddington to Windsor during the blockade.  There have been any trains direct for quite a few years.

[Oxman]

The Padd to Swindon HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) will only be advertised to call at Oxford. The Banbury stop for reversal is not a public stop. All of the services (two per hour) will call at Oxford.

[autotank]

Will all of the HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units))'s be going to Banbury or will some be reversing at Aynho Junction as suggested by some?

[eightf48544]

If you want some track bashing there are a couple of direct services from Paddington to Windsor during the blockade.  There have been any trains direct for quite a few years.

Thanks, I've done Platform 2 at Slough to Windsor  but not done the reverse. Will let the lads at the Manor know.

The best I've done from Slough is from the old bay between Platforms 3 & 4 to Slough West and then round the West curve at Slough to Windsor. Something you can't do today as the track has gone to scrapyard heaven.

[eightf48544]

Well I still haven't got the Foxhall curve, too many family visits to fit in!

I understand FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are looking for pictures of diverted services especialy on the diversions also the busses at various interchange stations.

[inspector_blakey]

I should think there will be plenty of them - needed to travel from Oxford into London on 2 Jan which gave me the excuse to use a diverted HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) via Banbury/High Wycombe, and there appeared to be photographers on almost every bridge the length of the Chiltern line, not to mention at Banbury which given the number of FGW^▸ (First Great Western) units and HSTs around looked like it had been the subject of a hostile takeover!