From the Save The Train Forum :
OK, here goes.This has been touched upon previously, but I finally have a few moments to expand on this.
In fairness, this line must be one of the hardest to timetable, due to the 3 long sections of single track between Oxford and Worcester and further sections beyond Worcester to Hereford. First took over all services from Thames with the commencement of the Dec 2004 timetable I believe (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong). This timetable saw Adelante's on most off-peak services which in theory was an improvement over the Turbo's - and increased frequencies. Unfortunately, the Adelante's have not been the most reliable unit, and the timetables didn't have enough slack in them, when delays occurred. And more often than not, one delay leads to another, leads to another, leads to another etc .So over the last 3 years, all had not been well for regular users on the line.
It is clear from this timetable, that the single sections have won the timetable battle, and some journeys have been massively extended; at other times, the lessons from previous timetables have not been learned.
In fact, timings wise, in 1978, the fastest train from Hereford to Paddington was the Class 50 hauled 0712; this arrived Paddington at 1013. 30 years on, the fastest train, an Inter City 125 operating the 0643 from Hereford, will arrive Paddington at 0947 - 3 minutes longer than 30 years ago. To be fair, the 2008 train will make 3 extra stops - Pershore, Honeybourne and Reading, but this doesn't say much for progress, Indeed, 10 years ago, the same train, then departing Hereford at 0705, was scheduled to arrive Paddington at 0950.
Of particular interest in the 2008 timetable, and bound to be making regular appearances on FGW▸ 's service update page will be the 0630 from Paddington to Worcester FS. Due off Oxford at 0801 this new (it operated in 2005 and 2006) service will only add pressure to the single track from Wolvercote Junction to Ascott. If the 0542 from Hereford, and the following stopping service from Worcester to Oxford are running late (and they will from time to time), then, the subsequent late-running of this service will delay, one of the most heavily used trains, the 0643 from Hereford to Paddington. So if there are delays of 10 to 15 minutes or so, a decision will have to be made - does it run with a couple of dozen passengers and delay say 10 times as many passengers travelling to Oxford; or will it be terminated at Oxford? (It has nowhere to hide as the next train from Oxford is at 0849). Of course, if it is terminated at Oxford, then the return working from Worcester will similarly be cancelled, or at least I reckon the stock could leave Oxford at 0910ish and run empty and fast to Moreton, and start from there. The Charlbury Commuter Log will erupt, I predict!!
There's nothing amazing to report on later trains although the 0751 Paddington to Malvern will stand at Evesham station for 16 minutes (frustrating for those on board) and the 0951 will stand at Evesham for 12 minutes. Also, in the general decelleration of trains is the difference in timings from station to station. Pershore to Worcester Shrub Hill journey times vary from 11 to 22 minutes. In the opposite direction, from Hanborough to Oxford, journey times vary between 11 and 23 minutes.
In the evening, I do have a problem with the 1751 Paddington to Worcester. This train, squeezed in from the December 2004 timetable has a slowing down effect on other services. I believe it should be terminated at Moreton in Marsh, at which stage it's only 17 minutes ahead of the 1821 Paddington-Hereford. Indeed, that train has to stand at Moreton for 4 minutes to allow the 1751 to clear the single section to Evesham (and again 2 minutes more at Evesham). This is another example of trying to squeeze a quart into a pint pot. Finally, why oh why is the last train still at 2148 - surely this could run 30 minutes later?
In the early morning, I have an issue with the 0611 Evesham to Worcester; The specification says that a train must be provided to allow (with a change in Worcester) passengers to arrive Birmingham by 8am. But why so early? - what's wrong with 9am - and if you work in Worcester and have to be there by 8am, well you'ld be there by 6.40am which is far too early.
Travellling to London, the early trains keep getting earlier (mainly to accommodate trains like the 0801 from Oxford...). We've seen engineering overruns in the last couple of weeks and this may become more frequnt as trains leave depots earlier and earlier. The first train from Gt Malvern is now scheduled to depart at 0515 (currently 0534 and in previous incarntions some minutes later), and if as I have read, this is an HST▸ , what time will this depart from St Phillip's Marsh? Maybe some sympathy is due towards Network Rail, who have less and less time to work on track at night?
There's nothing too significant until we come to the 1324 from Hereford to Paddington. Some years ago, the equivalent service was scheduled to travel from Worcester Shrub Hill to Oxford in 59 minutes; from December, wait for it, it is scheduled to take 104 minutes (albeit with 3 extra stops) (I'm surprised the specification allows this). Why, passengers could be taken on tours of Evesham and Moreton in Marsh during the station stops here! (Having said that, this isn't the slowest - that accolade falls to the 1927 Foregate Street to Oxford which takes 109 minutes, including a 30 minute stop at Evesham). Another train with extended station stops is the 1706 Great Malvern to Paddington (16 minutes at Evesham and 13 minutes at Moreton, but then whizzes from Charlbury to Oxford in just 12 minutes - is that feasible?)
Finally, there is the laughably late 2233 from Great Malvern to Paddington which conveniently dumps its crew and passenger (sorry, passengers), at Paddington at 0116. I'm sure First's marketing have a solid case for operating this train so late due to customer demand (Actually, I shouldn't mock, as if it was an ecs working we'ld be up in arms, saying "what a shame it can't pick up passengers".
I also think the balance of the timetable is all wrong; over the years, First have placed a greater emphasis on morning services from Paddington to Worcester, rather than the afternoon. For instance, this timetable sees trains from Paddington to Worcester depart at 0542, 0630, 0751, 0851 and 0951, but then we go 2 hourly at 1151, 1351, and 1551, before the peaks and evening departures at 1721, 1751, 1821, 1921, 2020 and 2148.
If you ask me "what do you suggest", then in brief, I would slightly abandon the rigidity of the clockface timetable. My departures would leave Paddington at 0552 (change at Moreton); then 0805; 0933; 1052; 1152; 1333; 1522; 1622; 1722; 1803 (Moreton); 1833; 1933; 2052 and 2222.
Anyway, that's my rant over; as I said at the start, it's a difficult line to schedule, but as with most of First's efforts, there are some missed opportunities and it could be better.
Click on the map to explore geographics
