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46
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All across the Great Western territory / Introductions and chat / Re: More Rolling Stock Leaving FGW?
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on: August 01, 2007, 19:25:04
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From what I have heard from the suit who is in charge of the Maintainance of the 180's is that these will sent back to the leasing company gradually during 2008. I wouldn't expect they'll be seen in Portsmouth after all!
Thats pretty much what Tony Miles reports in this month's Modern Railways and I see no reason not to believe him. He also reports that it is understood that FGW▸ have fought hard to retain the 158s but that Dft have agreed with Northern that they are to have them. Can't wait to see how FGW are going to run services come the December timetable change with around half their 158s gone coupled with the loss of 150s to Arriva last December. Keeping the 180s would have more or less solved this and considerably improved the Cardiff-Pompey service to a level it more than deserves. Seems now all they are keeping the 180s for is to cover the late running HST▸ refurbishment program. Cardiff to Portsmouths should be 158s, and no less! The 180s would have been an excellent resource on this mainline! Arent the 158s nearly 15 years old now?! |
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48
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All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: HST Refurbishment - A Positive View
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on: July 30, 2007, 21:09:32
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It's a good article. If I read correctly it suggests that the decision to remove buffet cars on short distance HST▸ services when balanced against creating a 'standard' HST+Buffet fleet has yet to be taken? I thought it had?! I would prefer to see all services with a walk-up buffet car as there is no way a trolley could get through crowded aisles during peak periods! Also, without sounding impatient or greedy, when I want a hot drink, I walk up to the buffet and get it! I dont really want to wait for an hour for the trollet to come around!!
Anyway, back to the article, and I personally see the creation of a 'standard' HST+Buffet much better than two sets of fleet, at least that would give better flexibility!!
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50
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All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: WOW Arriva Win Cross-Country
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on: July 12, 2007, 20:47:45
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i dont think that a trolley providing cold snacks provides a good enough catering service on even a shorter journey as bristol to birmingham, let alone
bristol to aberdeen which is one i make regularly! just think about it, over the 10 hours on board, you could have a sandwich, and a sandwich, and even another sandwich if they havent run out!!! bring back BR▸ !
Slowly but surely the rail companies are turning into low cost no thrills airlines. Some examples: catering (or lack of), fares structure (book early) and even the carriage layout! Not forgetting the amount of cancelled or delayed services. Who needs to take to the air when you can have a similar customer experience at 0 feet! i'd agree mate! its not good  |
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52
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All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: WOW Arriva Win Cross-Country
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on: July 12, 2007, 20:29:14
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i dont think that a trolley providing cold snacks provides a good enough catering service on even a shorter journey as bristol to birmingham, let alone bristol to aberdeen which is one i make regularly! just think about it, over the 10 hours on board, you could have a sandwich, and a sandwich, and even another sandwich if they havent run out!!! bring back BR▸ ! |
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56
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Journey by Journey / Plymouth and Cornwall / Re: Newquay Branch line - engineering work, closures, incidents (merged topics)
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on: July 09, 2007, 18:02:04
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I have been trying desperately to get any advanced/cheaper tickets for a Bristol Parkway to Newquay journey, down on Sat, back on Sun, for weeks, and fail to get anything other than a Saver! I know the trains are busy, and it is probably a Virgin XC▸ service on this route rather than FGW▸ , but are these cheap/book in advance tickets available on weekends for this route?
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57
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Journey by Journey / Portsmouth to Cardiff / Re: Portsmouth Harbour - Cardiff from December 2008
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on: July 09, 2007, 17:59:15
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But isnt it a franchise committment for the Cardiff - Portsmouth trains to run end to end? Its not a Bristol - Portsmouth service with the option of running to/from Cardiff? I would be appauled if this decision to run a Bristol Parkway to Portsmouth service is taken in lieu of a Cardiff - Portsmouth service. Would be better to change the cross-Bristol axes to:- Cardiff - Portsmouth Cardiff - Taunton Cheltenham - Westbury/Southampton/Weymouth Bristol Parkway - Weston-S-Mare That makes more sense to me, and allows better through journey opportunities. I'm still longing for my direct Wales Wales to Portsmouth and Cornwall services though that existed under Wales and West!  |
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58
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Journey by Journey / Portsmouth to Cardiff / Re: Portsmouth Harbour - Cardiff from December 2008
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on: July 08, 2007, 14:20:16
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Another 'grapevine rumour' that I have heard is that the Portsmouth Harbour - Cardiff services are to be withdrawn from the December timetable.
These services are to be diverted to and terminate at Bristol Parkway now that station has 3 platforms and restart them there.
The reason, I was informed, is that with the retention of the half hourly HST▸ services between London Paddington to Cardiff against the initial thoughts for the current FGW▸ franchise these services will be used as the connections for South Wales out of/into the Portsmouth services. Just a rumour but if correct I estimate this move will save 4 x 158 units, at least, out of the 12 that FGW are said to be losing in December 2008. I would be very surprised if this were true, and I can imagine that this would cause a major uproar to South Wales passengers. We (South Wales passengers) have suffered many cutbacks over the years in terms of through services since Wales and West was reorganised in 2001. My ideal scenario for the development of the 'wessex mainline' would be to use the 180s on an hourly Portsmouth/Brighton (alternating) - Southampton - Salisbury - Bath - Bristol - Cardiff - Rhoose - Bridgend - Swansea service. Now we are "intergrated", i.e. "Greater Western" and not separate companies, there is no reason why this should not be thought of! |
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Journey by Journey / Heart of Wessex / Re: Weymouth services from December 2007
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on: June 30, 2007, 20:54:05
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Have heard that the Cardiff - Westbury services are to be cut from the December timetable change and will be replaced by a Cheltenham/Gloucester - Westbury service. The extended journeys from Great Malvern/Worcester will continue to Weymouth every two hours and there was even a suggestion that there would be a Great Malvern - Brighton service. Only a 'grapevine rumour' but the new timetable is due to go out for stakeholder consultation within the next 4 - 6 weeks.
Does the stakeholder consultation mean the general travelling public will see this, or if not, how would we get to see it through a stakeholder? Cheers! |
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