Avocet Line - Exeter to Exmouth - incidents and events; services, stock and related improvements

[whole diary]

[eightf48544]

Basically you're a victim of the nationwide shortage of fast, long (more than one coach) reliable DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit).

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have far too few units and those they have aren't that reliable.

Ideally the Exmouth line should be electricfied if Exeter ever gets the wires

[devon_metro]

Northern took back 10 142 carriages, probably not being used!

[devon_metro]

Should also add, the Barnstaple hourly services means it is impossible to concentrate the 4 cars on the far busier Paignton -Exeter - Exmouth route.

The diagrams are as follows:
Paignton to Exmouth to Barnstaple to Exmouth to Paignton. Etc

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

i have an idea that would increase capacity and frequency between exmouth and paignton, all it needs is a certain service extending and one maybee two units from another toc, but you will think its sill so..

[Btline]

I would assume they'd do 3rd rail for Exmouth and Barny, as part of the Waterloo to Exeter line. (which I also assume they'd do with 3rd rail)

[devon_metro]

Well no they wouldn't, as third rail cannot be installed to newly electrified lines.

Also, what business case does Barnstaple have for electrification of all places!

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

if swt's had one extra unit they could serve stations upto barns insted of fgw, freeing up extra units for exmouth and paignton

[devon_metro]

if swt's had one extra unit they could serve stations upto barns insted of fgw, freeing up extra units for exmouth and paignton

Or they could run more services to Paignton, which would be a much better use of resources.

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

if swt's had one extra unit they could serve stations upto barns insted of fgw, freeing up extra units for exmouth and paignton

Or they could run more services to Paignton, which would be a much better use of resources.

i will wave you off at the station when you travel to paddington on a pacer 

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

im really sorry i misread your post, thats basically the same thing as im saying, but if fgw didnt have to worry about the tarka line the exmouth to paignton route could become alot more frequent

it would also offer another station direct services to london, paignton already has this

[Henry]

 Slightly off subject, but I am quite fascinated by the speculation of electrification of branch lines in Devon.

 I'm in my 50's but it is never going to happen, well certainly not in my lifetime.

 I suppose it is something that will be addressed in the future - perhaps we will have electric trains with solar panels charging batteries etc.
 The units on branch lines are no more than glorified bus engines, so perhaps that is feasible.
 
 Or alternatively, I think it's  Japan who use magnetic fields for motive power.
 
 I suppose it is pretty radical and speculative, but all the time a version of HST^▸ (High Speed Train) 2 is being built on the old diesel format.
 Thinking how important transport is to our society and yet the railway infastructure has little changed in 150 years.

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

by the time they even think about electrification for us, hydrogen fuel cells will be alot more practical

[The SprinterMeister]

We've had quite a few short formed trains on the Exmouth line this week, two cars vice four, and in the peak too - *groan*.

Out of interest - does anyone know the reason for this?

Thanks.

Possibly some of the 15x has gone missing this weekend for strengthening services round Westbury. Leaving the 14x to cope unaided. Pilton Festival this weekend. Or Glastonbury Festival if you prefer.

[TerminalJunkie]

i will wave you off at the station when you travel to paddington on a pacer 

One finger, or two?

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

i will wave you off at the station when you travel to paddington on a pacer 

One finger, or two?

three