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John R
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« Reply #15 on: April 17, 2016, 11:29:44 » |
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Have they actually said that in respect of today? Which is all that matters as availability will vary from day to day. They did run some additional services on Maundy Thursday, which implies that they can juggle maintenance around to release as many sets as possible when they have to. Given that many local authorities school holidays finished a week ago, I'm not so sure there will be as much as a peak today as you are suggesting, but like you, I am purely speculating in that regard.
And I know that today's special is a commercial service, which I why I said "they have also run charity specials" to make it clear that I knew today's wasn't.
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #16 on: April 17, 2016, 11:45:06 » |
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It's more the availability of paths that is the problem on a Sunday - and crew in the height of summer and other holiday periods - than availability of HST▸ trains. A 30-minute interval service to/from Cornwall, South Wales, Bristol and Oxford would be very nice to have on a Sunday, but are impossible to path due to engineering work. Today, the main lines are blocked between Dolphin Junction (east of Slough) all the way to Paddington. Usually the main or relief lines are also shut between Didcot and Reading as well on a Sunday, but not today.
When Crossrail opens and electrification are complete then there will be more scope to provide additional trains. I appreciating that the constant 'jam tomorrow' statements are frustrating, and to trot out a 'stock availability' statement, when that's not strictly true is silly, but it really is difficult to run a more frequent service when long sections of the route are running to a two-track timetable.
As far as I can remember, the only 'staff jollies' in many years were for the GWR▸ launch late last year. It certainly isn't the regular occurrence that TG's post might suggest.
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To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
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PhilWakely
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« Reply #17 on: April 17, 2016, 13:03:25 » |
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It's surprising that there is no mention of this on the Tarka▸ Rail website, as it would have been a bit of good publicity for the line, even if locals didn't have the opportunity to use it. Having said that, the website hasn't been updated since June last year, which is starting to reflect somewhat poorly on the association.
Plenty of posters visible on Tarka Line stations and locals out in force with cameras. Sadly, the posters give the impression that it would be 'the Green One' and some of the photters at Yeoford and Copplestone expressed their displeasure when your bog standard FGW▸ blue one turned up. ** Edited to add copy of local poster ** |
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« Last Edit: April 17, 2016, 16:05:09 by PhilWakely »
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #18 on: April 17, 2016, 13:54:09 » |
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They turned the air blue, apparently.  |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #19 on: April 17, 2016, 16:31:34 » |
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** Edited to add copy of local poster **
Thanks for posting that, err, poster, PhilWakely. It does seem rather disingenuous of GWR▸ to have suggested that the HST▸ would be "an Intercity 125 as shown above" in that poster.  |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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PhilWakely
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« Reply #20 on: April 17, 2016, 16:35:29 » |
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** Edited to add copy of local poster **
Thanks for posting that, err, poster, PhilWakely. It does seem rather disingenuous of GWR▸ to have suggested that the HST▸ would be "an Intercity 125 as shown above" in that poster. To be fair, the 'author' of the poster is the Tarka▸ Rail Association and not GWR |
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #21 on: April 17, 2016, 16:48:43 » |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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Rob on the hill
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« Reply #22 on: April 17, 2016, 21:41:11 » |
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Is there much to see or do in Barnstaple on a Sunday afternoon?
Most pax are participating in the included coach trip to Woody Bay and the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway, so, "Yes" Thanks Phil, unfortunately the Woody Bay excursion is fully booked. I'm travelling on the HST▸ so looking forward to a good day out.
Apologies Rob, I hadn't realised you had asked the question as you were actually travelling. The answer is still 'Yes'. If you are up for it, I would recommend a walk along the Tarka▸ Trail from Barnstaple station. No worries Phil, I should have made it clear I was going to be on board. Thanks for your suggestion - I had a very pleasant walk along the Tarka Trail to Fremington Quay!  |
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Thatcham Crossing
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« Reply #24 on: April 18, 2016, 16:05:42 » |
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A video record of said HST▸ on the Branch Line, and at Barnstaple is up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkpA4jiEdm8As far as I can find online, there is a 30mph limit for "loco hauled trains" on the Branch, but it looks like it's going a bit faster than that in a few of those clips? |
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PhilWakely
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« Reply #25 on: April 18, 2016, 17:09:47 » |
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As far as I can find online, there is a 30mph limit for "loco hauled trains" on the Branch, but it looks like it's going a bit faster than that in a few of those clips?
HST▸ - 'Loco hauled' or (D) MU▸ ?   |
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paul7575
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« Reply #26 on: April 18, 2016, 17:23:27 » |
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AIUI▸ , DMU▸ on speed restriction signs does include HSTs▸ , (shown as Class 253/254 in the rule book) as long as they have at least three coaches.
On the other hand HST includes loads of DMUs that are not actually HSTs, including such as Voyagers.
Paul
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« Last Edit: April 18, 2016, 17:36:03 by paul7755 »
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JayMac
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« Reply #27 on: April 18, 2016, 19:07:59 » |
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An alternative differential permissible speed board has 'SP' denoting 'Sprinter'. There are many variant differential speed boards though. The Sectional Appendix has the following to say about differential permissible speed boards: Class 253 and 254 trains formed with less than three coaches between the power cars are not permitted to run at MU▸ or DMU▸ speeds
Which rather suggests, as paul7755 said, that GWR▸ HSTs▸ of the usual normal 2+8 length, as was the case with the Tarka▸ Tourer, are permitted to travel at the MU speeds indicated on the Tarka Line. |
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #28 on: April 18, 2016, 22:27:48 » |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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polymath
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« Reply #29 on: April 19, 2016, 08:06:57 » |
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Normally a reader rather than a contributor, I felt it necessary to comment on certain points raised on this subject. The mini posters put up a stations on the Tarka▸ line were not meant to be a definitive statement as to which set would be used on the tour, although we were hopeful that it would be the green set, considering GWR▸ 's involvement, simply a way to advise people of the timings.
Unfortunately, with all the preparations that were necessary prior to the tour the TRA missed updating the website but did endeavour to fully publicise the event locally via press releases and radio interviews. We are pleased that so many people turned out for such a unique event, and we found it a really successful day. Hopefully to be repeated at some future date.
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