FGW publicity machine

[whole diary]

[bobm]

Have you read Barry Doe's article in Rail. He proof read for the national book and according to him they took no notice of the things he spotted.  Bet Bradshaw never had this trouble!

[Timmer]

I almost despair of the National Rail Timetable now. Sure when BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) were responsible for the big book there were errors but at least it contained a supplement book that came with the timetable to correct most of those errors. Now whether you buy the TSO^▸ (The Stationary Office (now OPSI), or, possibly Trailer Standard Open (carriage), depending on context) version or the Middleton Press version you get the first version that is printed full of errors and told to go to the Network Rail National Rail Timetable page to get the corrected pages which is dependent on the TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) highlighting the errors before the pages are updated.

Barry Doe is right to be concerned about the way it is currently being handled.

[Timmer]

All that said, I complained to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Customer Services about the missing weekend timetables in the book. They're sending me a ^3 RTV by way of apology. Yay!

As I said earlier in this thread, so long as FGW follow through with their plan to provide a timetable supplement online or for collection for weekend services from the Autumn I will be reasonably happy. If not an email will be going to customer services asking why this hasn't happened?

I agree it is annoying that they weren't in the timetable book in the first place though.

[phile]

Have you read Barry Doe's article in Rail. He proof read for the national book and according to him they took no notice of the things he spotted.  Bet Bradshaw never had this trouble!

[phile]

I have noticed there are 2 threads on this topic, the other one being  in the Help & Assistance Board.   I will use this one and would like to say that although the train disruption information has improved on the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Website,  I have only seen short formed gen a couple of times and  no catering shortcomings listed at all.     I find it hard to believe that they are perfect , especially on the afternoon Brighton !!!

[phile]

I am surprised that no mention is made on the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Home Page of their Website of the TAKE THAT Concerts in Cardiff on the nights of Tuesday and Wednesday this week with approx 60,000 expected to be present each night.   Wondering if they have any plans for strengthening the late trains back to Bristol.

[bobm]

Call me cynical but I wouldnt hold your breath.

It really frustrates me. For all the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) get wrong they do get a lot right but just don't seem to like to blow their own trumpet. They could make so much better use of their website.

Why not put a piece on about the first stage of work on the Coltswold Line?
Why not boast about their Pullman services in the light of East Coast cutting back?
Why not highlight the services for Henley Regatta?

It goes on.

I've emailed them a while back but not had a reply.

[Super Guard]

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) provided a 150/1 and crew free to West Somerset Railway to shuttle punters from Taunton to Bishops Lyderard on Sat/Sun for their "mixed traction" weekend and to provide a direct service at the start/end of day to Bristol TM^▸ (Train Manager, or possibly Ticket Machine, depending on context) - that wasn't mentioned anywhere either. 

[Ollie]

They are doing additionals for take that at Cardiff.


FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are due to be getting a new website soon, lets hope it's used better.

[Steve Bray]

Mind you, they seem pretty keen to tell everyone all about Volo TV^▸ (Thames Valley)!

[phile]

Thank you Ollie for info re special for Take That.   I wonder if anybody with clout reads this Forum

[Ollie]

No worries, sorry for not having more useful info such as actual timings..

[insider]

the train disruption information has improved on the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Website,  I have only seen short formed gen a couple of times and  no catering shortcomings listed at all.     I find it hard to believe that they are perfect , especially on the afternoon Brighton !!!

Catering alterations are no longer advertised on the website or journey check. It has been decided that this information is not worthy of being on the website but will be displayed on CIS^▸ (Customer Information System) at stations. The theory behind this is that the live updates are really for service disruption, and not to advertise trolley services etc..

With regards to short formations I have been informed that the spec for this info to be displayed has also been changed.

Short formations will now only be listed as follows:
Monday ^ Fridays Paddington & Bristol TM^▸ (Train Manager, or possibly Ticket Machine, depending on context) peak services arrivals until 10:00 and departures 1600-1900

And then they will only be listed if 50% or less seating capacity than advertised will be provided.

There are however some exceptions, such as a short form that may be require additional road transport such as the Newquay branch for example.

This overall review is part of the national PIDD^▸ (Passenger Information During Disruption) (Passenger Information During Disruption) project and ensuring the website and control staff are concentrating on delays, cancellations and alterations and not 2 coaches vice 3 on multiple diagrams.

[Ollie]

This overall review is part of the national PIDD^▸ (Passenger Information During Disruption) (Passenger Information During Disruption) project and ensuring the website and control staff are concentrating on delays, cancellations and alterations and not 2 coaches vice 3 on multiple diagrams.

That's much better, previously that kind of alterations can make things appear worse than they actually are.