Great Western Coffee Shop

All across the Great Western territory => Smoke and Mirrors => Topic started by: grahame on November 25, 2017, 10:58:53



Title: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: grahame on November 25, 2017, 10:58:53
From the Bath Chronicle (http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/news/bath-news/dozens-extra-trains-put-bath-815143)

Quote
Dozens of extra trains put on for Bath Christmas market this weekend

An additional 24 trains will be run to and from Bath Spa Station this weekend as the city prepares to welcome thousands of visitors to the Christmas Market.

From JourneyCheck

Quote
15:20 Westbury to Swindon due 16:06
15:20 Westbury to Swindon due 16:06 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

16:10 Swindon to Westbury due 16:52
16:10 Swindon to Westbury due 16:52 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Where I work, we have a policy of ensuring we have enough resources to look after our current and ongoing customers, and to meet our contracted commitments, before we seek out more business ...




Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Red Squirrel on November 25, 2017, 11:22:41
...before we seek out more business ...

Some seek out more business; others have more business thrust upon 'em. Thy Fates open their hands. Let thy blood and spirit embrace them.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: grahame on November 25, 2017, 12:19:49
Quote
12:14 Swindon to Westbury due 12:58
12:14 Swindon to Westbury due 12:58 will no longer call at Melksham.
This is due to congestion.

!!

Could have sorted the whole thing out today by stopping diverted trains at Melksham and Trowbridge ... less crews needed to meet the contracted franchise, leaving staff available to run Bath extras. 


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: martyjon on November 25, 2017, 12:49:52
Quote
12:14 Swindon to Westbury due 12:58
12:14 Swindon to Westbury due 12:58 will no longer call at Melksham.
This is due to congestion.

!!

Could have sorted the whole thing out today by stopping diverted trains at Melksham and Trowbridge ... less crews needed to meet the contracted franchise, leaving staff available to run Bath extras. 

And how, may I ask, does the unit for its next booked turn from Westbury get to Westbury ?


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Tim on November 25, 2017, 13:12:05
...before we seek out more business ...

Some seek out more business; others have more business thrust upon 'em. Thy Fates open their hands. Let thy blood and spirit embrace them.

GWR have sought this extra business.  Their branding is all over the posters for the Bath Shed Show Christmas Market


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Timmer on November 25, 2017, 14:36:38
Agreed, however trains, both local and Intercity, that have been cancelled or started/terminating short today owing to the usual suspects of lack of trains and train crew due to call at Bath will negate the extras that have been layed on by GWR owing to the Bath Christmas market.

Why anyone would want to go to the Bath Christmas market on the weekend is beyond me. Bath’s transport infrastructure struggles to cope at the best of times without adding the annual shed fest. Once you get there you can’t move because the streets where the sheds are so narrow and will be absolutely packed. But we say that on this forum every year and still the people come. 60 extra sheds to view this year. Exciting.

edit: add missing word


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: TaplowGreen on November 25, 2017, 20:06:20
Ultimately therefore, yet another GWR fail.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Timmer on November 25, 2017, 21:06:46
A few weeks back RTT showed a couple of HSTs running from Westbury to Bristol and return but only for passenger use between Trowbridge and Bath and vice versa. However these were dropped and replaced by DMUs. Hardly surprising with GWR losing HSTs as more IETs come on line.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: JayMac on November 26, 2017, 02:03:17
Once you get there you can’t move because the streets where the sheds are so narrow and will be absolutely packed. But we say that on this forum every year and still the people come. 60 extra sheds to view this year. Exciting.

It's an expensive way to trade too. My one visit a few years ago and I compared a few traders products with their online stores. All were more expensive than online.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: grahame on November 26, 2017, 04:12:27
A few weeks back RTT showed a couple of HSTs running from Westbury to Bristol and return but only for passenger use between Trowbridge and Bath and vice versa. However these were dropped and replaced by DMUs. Hardly surprising with GWR losing HSTs as more IETs come on line.

Stories told behind the headlines are of "more than usual trains requiring repair at the same time" shifting from a heavy overdue maintenance requirement to regular repairs not being done because so many staff have left to go to work for Hitachi.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: TaplowGreen on November 26, 2017, 09:20:25
The priorities today would appear not to include Transwilts.............

Train Cancellations

10:30 Westbury to Swindon due 11:20
11:34 Swindon to Westbury due 12:16
16:20 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
17:18 Swindon to Westbury due 18:01

"Shortage of train crew"


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Timmer on November 26, 2017, 09:34:29
The priorities today would appear not to include Transwilts
Stiff competition between North Cotswolds line and Transwilts of late.

Also, cancellations between Salisbury and Portsmouth due to lack of train crew on the truncated Cardiff-Portsmouth service today. At least there are SWR services to get you to Southampton and Portsmouth.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: phile on November 26, 2017, 10:37:26
Also yesterday, Severn Beach line services were turned back at Clifton Down with bustitution beyond, and without adequate publicity.  Passengers were tweeting GWR re the trains and lack of info and were told it was due to Engineering Work and were referred to the appropriate Engineering section of the GWR website but there was nothing there.  Learnt subsequently that there were posters at stations giving reason as provision of resources for the Bath Market but don't know how widespread but no mention on GWR Website.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: grahame on November 26, 2017, 11:36:30
Also yesterday, Severn Beach line services were turned back at Clifton Down with bustitution beyond, and without adequate publicity.  Passengers were tweeting GWR re the trains and lack of info and were told it was due to Engineering Work and were referred to the appropriate Engineering section of the GWR website but there was nothing there.  Learnt subsequently that there were posters at stations giving reason as provision of resources for the Bath Market but don't know how widespread but no mention on GWR Website.

Looks like clear confirmation of priorities.

Having said which, I have been out and about this morning hearing tales of people who were denied boarding / unable to board at Reading yesterday to travel to Bath for the Rugby - "some friends came in at half time" and similar but third had reports of problems travelling from South Wales to Bath.

I do hope 12:30 and 14:30 from Westbury run .... Melksham to Trowbridge walk (Wiltshire Wanderers) - down on foot, back on those trains.    In order to remind any "power that be" who are reading here ... this little lot will require travel at lunchtime today:

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/ww_20171126.jpg)

(it is so easy to forget the individuals when planning things out - each has a story, and each has a travel need; many of these are very effective at reporting how their journey has been, and are trying out the train for the first time!)



Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: IndustryInsider on November 26, 2017, 11:58:52
I’m expecting a very bruising Christmas period.  Several things are likely to combine:

1)  Not enough drivers - we’ve had cancellations due to staff shortages during the ‘quiet’ months of October and November.  December, particularly the last two weeks, are likely to be ‘maxed out’ with the maximum number of staff on leave that’s allowed at any one time.

2)  Not enough stock - the transitional phase between new units arriving and old ones departing means allocating enough stock to cope with an already incredibly busy period will be difficult.  There are lots of 2+7 HSTs currently running around which can cope under normal circumstances on most trains, but will struggle from 22nd December until new year, especially on the afternoon/evening of the 22nd and throughout the 27th.

3)  Christmas Eve and New Years Eve fall on a Sunday, so with existing agreements at some depots there’s nothing stopping lots of drivers who would normally work from saying “No thanks!” - fortunately Christmas Eve is likely to be very quiet as people will have already gone to visit friends and relatives on the evening of 22nd or the 23rd but I expect a serious crew shortage on both of those Sundays.

In more positive news, once this Christmas is out of the way, there should be some breathing space to get back on target with training and new train introduction relieving the currency strain.  Things are unlikely to fully settle down until 2019 though.  The big question is whether all this pain is worth it in the long term?  I think time will say it will be and in a few years the GWML will have a service to be proud of - totally transformed from what we had at the start of this year in virtually every respect.  Jam tomorrow is quite rightly not currently cutting it with many though!



Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: TaplowGreen on November 26, 2017, 12:05:46
I’m expecting a very bruising Christmas period.  Several things are likely to combine:

 Jam tomorrow is quite rightly not currently cutting it with many though!



Mainly because we've been promised "Jam tomorrow" and numerous variations of "Manana Manana" by First/GWR/the railways  for years, and (quite rightly) they are no longer trusted as they fail to deliver.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Adelante_CCT on November 26, 2017, 13:51:07
For how many more years will we be told "manana, manana"?

although I do wonder when "Manana, manana" etc etc is going to end

the constant "manana manana"

the same as always - "Manana Manana"  ::)

What frustrates a lot of people is the "manana, manana".

.............manana, manana, manana............. ::)

"Manana Manana"

..............one more "Manana Manana" type response and I will probably find him and insert a GWR whistle somewhere painful.........

.....I heard nothing other than the usual "Manana" platitudes from the usual sources

- the GWR mantra is always "Manana Manana" -

" and numerous variations of "Manana Manana" by First/GWR/the railways/TG  for years,


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: TaplowGreen on November 26, 2017, 14:58:50
Blimey you've got some time on your hands! 😂   

(Quite flattered that you took so much trouble just to help me prove the point though!)


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: IndustryInsider on November 26, 2017, 15:36:11
Mainly because we've been promised "Jam tomorrow" and numerous variations of "Manana Manana" by First/GWR/the railways  for years, and (quite rightly) they are no longer trusted as they fail to deliver.

At least we have seen real progress this year though.  The 387s have been introduced and are proving very reliable, the IET’s have (opening day PR disaster aside) settled in pretty nicely with largely favourable reviews.  Had seats been a bit softer on both trains then there would have been widespread praise!

Also, new electrification equipment has so far proven to be very reliable, and we have started the Turbo cascade to the west, though with initial punctuality problems on the Severn Beach route.

At the start of next year 387s will take over nearly all suburban trains into Paddington throughout the day, and Crossrail trains will soon start testing and then be in use between Heathrow and Paddington from May.  IET’s will have taken over the majority of HST work by the end of the year, and the west should see short-formed HSTs and Turbos arrive in numbers significant enough to bolster capacity there.

I’m optimistic that Sunday’s will be brought into the working week for drivers, which should make weekend planning much easier, and several training courses of drivers will complete to increase numbers of staff.

Still a lot of hurdles to overcome though.  Lots of training, lots of ‘new’ things to bed in, and lots to be done to get the public back on side.

Oh, and I thought it was “Manyana manyana”?


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: ChrisB on November 26, 2017, 15:58:31
The aforementioned likely driver shortages on 24th & 31st will combine with the strikes on XC causing severe overcrowding possible on the Cheltenham /Devon / Cornwall axis


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: JayMac on November 26, 2017, 16:41:33
Still a lot of hurdles to overcome though. 

I predict one of those hurdles will be the RMT. GWR must surely be on their list to manufacture a strike. They are working their way through the TOCs.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: IndustryInsider on November 26, 2017, 17:02:33
Well, so far the unions have struck deals with GWR to avoid it.  That could be described as good negotiating by GWR, or just delaying tactics hoping that the situation currently affecting SWR, Southern, Northern and Merseyrail will be resolved one way or the other before the new franchise is let.  Surely it has to be?  I suspect any new prospective franchisee holder will be watching that position closely, and the outcome will determine the path they follow in the new franchise.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Timmer on November 26, 2017, 18:00:32
The aforementioned likely driver shortages on 24th & 31st will combine with the strikes on XC causing severe overcrowding possible on the Cheltenham /Devon / Cornwall axis
Best get your travel by rail complete by the 23rd then. Though for some this may not be possible so will just have to hope their train actually runs on the 24th. Anyone would think the state runs our railway network not private companies.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Timmer on November 26, 2017, 18:15:47
Not everyone was pleased with the service provided by GWR yesterday:
http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/news/bath-news/anger-hundreds-queue-bath-overcrowded-835543

Could have just cut and paste last year’s article. Again why do people insist on travelling to the market on a weekend? If you are that keen on visiting sheds full of expensive items, take a day off during the week when there is less people around. Much more enjoyable experience.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: TaplowGreen on November 26, 2017, 18:57:50
Not everyone was pleased with the service provided by GWR yesterday:
http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/news/bath-news/anger-hundreds-queue-bath-overcrowded-835543

Could have just cut and paste last year’s article. Again why do people insist on travelling to the market on a weekend? If you are that keen on visiting sheds full of expensive items, take a day off during the week when there is less people around. Much more enjoyable experience.

Not everyone necessarily has the option to take time off in the way you suggest, that's an incredibly blasé attitude.....we all know that the railways are totally unable to cope with well publicised events causing increased demand, whether it's major sporting events, Maundy Thursday etc etc, that's what needs to be addressed, not attempting a fundamental shift in customer behaviour.

The best organisations adapt their model around the needs of their customers, the worst  (generally but not exclusively  public/quasi public sector monopolies) expect it to work the other way around.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Richard Fairhurst on November 26, 2017, 19:25:02
Blimey you've got some time on your hands! 😂 

Either that or Adelante_CCT knows how to Google!

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=site%3Afirstgreatwestern.info+"manana+manana" (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=site%3Afirstgreatwestern.info+"manana+manana")

(The 'site:' modifier on Google is one of their most useful features - strongly recommend it.)


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: PhilWakely on November 26, 2017, 19:53:51
Not everyone was pleased with the service provided by GWR yesterday:
http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/news/bath-news/anger-hundreds-queue-bath-overcrowded-835543
.....

I do like this response from the GWR Twitter team....
Quote
One response advised that passengers who have to stand for their journey despite having a reserved seat can claim compensation.
It doesn't say that passengers will actually get compensation - just 'can claim compensation'. 


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: TaplowGreen on November 26, 2017, 20:06:17
Blimey you've got some time on your hands! 😂 

Either that or Adelante_CCT knows how to Google!

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=site%3Afirstgreatwestern.info+"manana+manana" (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=site%3Afirstgreatwestern.info+"manana+manana")

(The 'site:' modifier on Google is one of their most useful features - strongly recommend it.)

Bit busy now but I'll check it out.......tomorrow perhaps? 😉


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: grahame on November 26, 2017, 20:08:52
Blimey you've got some time on your hands! 😂 

Either that or Adelante_CCT knows how to Google!

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=site%3Afirstgreatwestern.info+"manana+manana" (https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=site%3Afirstgreatwestern.info+"manana+manana")

(The 'site:' modifier on Google is one of their most useful features - strongly recommend it.)

Bit busy now but I'll check it out.......tomorrow perhaps? 😉

or even http://www.wellho.net/demo/csp.php?search=manana&submit=Search&advanced=0 will find the threads - that's a link from the quick search box at the top of our pages (rather than the broken advanced search)


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: plymothian on November 26, 2017, 20:09:48
So on one hand we have passengers complaining that GWR are pulling services to add 24 additional trains to Bath, and on the other, passengers complaining that 24 additional trains are not enough.

So perhaps GWR should just pull all trains from everywhere else to run Bristol - Bath and that will shut up the market goers and Counsellors.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: grahame on November 26, 2017, 20:21:31
So on one hand we have passengers complaining that GWR are pulling services to add 24 additional trains to Bath, and on the other, passengers complaining that 24 additional trains are not enough.

So perhaps GWR should just pull all trains from everywhere else to run Bristol - Bath and that will shut up the market goers and Counsellors.

You have a fair point.   I suspect they would get a lot more positive hearing about the cancellation of other trains if train cancellations were very rare, and notified as part of the plan.   Happens for the Gold Cup and for Glastonbury ... if a train's missing from the travel planner for one Saturday and/or Sunday weeks in advance, so be it.

By the way - I think part of the (London to) Bath problem yesterday may have been a reduction of services - normally every half hour, I think they were running just once an hour??  (And I do wonder what base the '24 extra' was measured against!)


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Timmer on November 26, 2017, 21:57:46
I too would love to know what the ‘24 extra services’ were. They weren’t counting the Swindon to Bristol shuttles were they? They always run when the line between Swindon and Didcot is closed.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Timmer on November 26, 2017, 22:06:10
Not everyone necessarily has the option to take time off in the way you suggest, that's an incredibly blasé attitude.....we all know that the railways are totally unable to cope with well publicised events causing increased demand, whether it's major sporting events, Maundy Thursday etc etc, that's what needs to be addressed, not attempting a fundamental shift in customer behaviour.

The best organisations adapt their model around the needs of their customers, the worst  (generally but not exclusively  public/quasi public sector monopolies) expect it to work the other way around.
Blasé maybe. However it’s been well known for a number of years that Bath cannot cope with the sheer volume of numbers who come to the Christmas market particularly at weekends. Many would know this from previous years so cannot complain if they had to queue to get on a train at the end of the day or couldn’t find a place to park.

Not often I will defend GWR, but the operation is well run at Bath Spa and well staffed. I will be critical that a number of trains were cancelled both yesterday and today due to lack of crew!


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: grahame on November 26, 2017, 23:24:37
Not often I will defend GWR, but the operation is well run at Bath Spa and well staffed. I will be critical that a number of trains were cancelled both yesterday and today due to lack of crew!

Agreed.

Silly thing about cancelling the local train on a line where expresses are running is that there is a way of killing two birds (or meeting two flows) with one stone (or train)

Quote
17:31 Penzance to London Paddington due 23:28
17:31 Penzance to London Paddington due 23:28 will call additionally at Frome.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Stops - Trowbridge and Meksham - in the bevy of HSTs running through this weekend and the whole thing could have been done cleanly and released a further couple of crews. And we could have done some real positive marketing if planned ahead.   Trains already stopping at Chippenham and Swindon, and diverted HSTs have been known to stop before.   Just not today ...


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: martyjon on November 27, 2017, 07:13:21
I too would love to know what the ‘24 extra services’ were. They weren’t counting the Swindon to Bristol shuttles were they? They always run when the line between Swindon and Didcot is closed.


Probably a 'knowledgeble' reporter who logged onto RTT, selected Bath Spa, deselected WTT and VAR and counted the number of ZULU's displayed without bothering to investigate further why there were so many extra services between Swindon and Bristol only.
 


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Red Squirrel on November 27, 2017, 11:18:23
For how many more years will we be told "manana, manana"?

although I do wonder when "Manana, manana" etc etc is going to end

the constant "manana manana"

the same as always - "Manana Manana"  ::)

What frustrates a lot of people is the "manana, manana".

.............manana, manana, manana............. ::)

"Manana Manana"

..............one more "Manana Manana" type response and I will probably find him and insert a GWR whistle somewhere painful.........

.....I heard nothing other than the usual "Manana" platitudes from the usual sources

- the GWR mantra is always "Manana Manana" -

" and numerous variations of "Manana Manana" by First/GWR/the railways/TG  for years,

Sharon, I think that bloke with a speech impediment wants a banana!


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: patch38 on November 27, 2017, 13:40:16
I'm either very sensitive to tildes or I'm suffering late-onset dyslexia.

I read it as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N_tupPBtWQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N_tupPBtWQ)


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: JayMac on November 27, 2017, 14:28:49
I'm either very sensitive to tildes or I'm suffering late-onset dyslexia.

I read it as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N_tupPBtWQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N_tupPBtWQ)

Me too! Although that link isn't working for me. So...



Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Sixty3Closure on November 27, 2017, 18:56:17
A bit like TG i've long given up on believing in manana manana but I did have a vague hope that the service would stop getting worse which is what seems to be currently happening. Short formed train going in today from Twyford to Paddington and this evening two of the very few fast services home to Twyford cancelled.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: johnneyw on November 27, 2017, 19:44:05
A bit like TG i've long given up on believing in manana manana but I did have a vague hope that the service would stop getting worse which is what seems to be currently happening. Short formed train going in today from Twyford to Paddington and this evening two of the very few fast services home to Twyford cancelled.

Are we seeing the consequences of earlier forum discussions about GWR having to relinquish rolling stock before delayed cascaded stock replaces them?


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: grahame on November 27, 2017, 20:07:54
A bit like TG i've long given up on believing in manana manana but I did have a vague hope that the service would stop getting worse which is what seems to be currently happening. Short formed train going in today from Twyford to Paddington and this evening two of the very few fast services home to Twyford cancelled.

Are we seeing the consequences of earlier forum discussions about GWR having to relinquish rolling stock before delayed cascaded stock replaces them?

We may be seeing some of that, compounded by more that usual maintenance engineers quitting to go to Hitachi at the same time.

Tight on trains, and those that are still around taking longer from being stopped for some reason to restarted.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Trowres on November 27, 2017, 20:20:43
... Again why do people insist on travelling to the market on a weekend? If you are that keen on visiting sheds full of expensive items, take a day off during the week when there is less people around. Much more enjoyable experience.

I did that, and went to Salisbury (which has its own shedfest) on a weekday. Much more civilised...until two sick 158 units resulted in a 35 minute journey home taking 140 minutes.

But I'm really looking forward to next year's improvement when the 158s are replaced by trains about one year younger with no inter-unit gangway. Worth all the disruption. ::)


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: eightf48544 on November 28, 2017, 10:31:50
Not sure about jam tomorrow at the moment it seems to one step forward two steps back.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Phantom on November 28, 2017, 12:32:09
The big question is whether all this pain is worth it in the long term?  I think time will say it will be and in a few years the GWML will have a service to be proud of - totally transformed from what we had at the start of this year in virtually every respect.  Jam tomorrow is quite rightly not currently cutting it with many though!

As a commuter of over 20 years I look forward to this - but as always will believe it when I see it


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: broadgage on November 28, 2017, 13:03:01
Not everyone was pleased with the service provided by GWR yesterday:
http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/news/bath-news/anger-hundreds-queue-bath-overcrowded-835543

Could have just cut and paste last year’s article. Again why do people insist on travelling to the market on a weekend? If you are that keen on visiting sheds full of expensive items, take a day off during the week when there is less people around. Much more enjoyable experience.

If those visiting the shed festival had decided to travel in the week rather than at weekends, overcrowding and delays might have been similar.
Some on this forum might then have blamed the customers for travelling on busy days.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: broadgage on November 28, 2017, 13:30:49
A bit like TG i've long given up on believing in manana manana but I did have a vague hope that the service would stop getting worse which is what seems to be currently happening. Short formed train going in today from Twyford to Paddington and this evening two of the very few fast services home to Twyford cancelled.

Are we seeing the consequences of earlier forum discussions about GWR having to relinquish rolling stock before delayed cascaded stock replaces them?

Yes we are seeing the consequences of stock being given up before the replacements are available for use in sufficient numbers.
I foretold this some years ago, via my now famous crystal ball. My forecasts were widely criticised as being unduly pessimistic, and answered with a variety of facts and figures that "proved" that all would be well.
I based my forecast not on any detailed analysis of the rolling stock situation, but simply on prior experience.

I have been the victim of at least two major rolling stock replacement programmes that went wrong.

Firstly, Waterloo to Exeter services were downgraded from full length loco hauled trains to 3 car DMUs. As soon as a few new DMUs had arrived, the old stock was rapidly withdrawn. 3 car instead of 8 on rush hours trains, two and a half car on the late evening service, many services turned round at Basingstoke and so on.
Although I don't think much of the DMUs, they would have done the job if available in sufficient numbers BEFORE the withdrawal of the old trains.

In southeast London the old slam door DC EMUs were replaced by shiny new networkers, again as soon as SOME of the new trains were introduced, the old ones were scrapped.
As a result rush hour trains were regularly half length, the BTP had to attend to rioting commuters, and off peak services were sometimes 2 car.
I got a seat on the old 8 car trains, but had to stand on the new shorter ones.

The new half length cross country trains were also not a complete success, did not a princess turn into a pumpkin, or something.

We were told that "this time it would be different" but to me it all looks very familiar.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Bmblbzzz on November 29, 2017, 21:05:44
In other threads recently, GWR have been criticised for not catering to major one-off events (Boardmasters in Cornwall) and regular extreme peaks (rugby in Exeter). Now they're being criticised for catering to a one-off event in Bath. Okay, I'm sure it's different people doing the criticising, but it does show that, in the absence of unlimited capacity, they're damned if they do and damned if they don't in these circumstances.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: martyjon on November 29, 2017, 21:44:03
In other threads recently, GWR have been criticised for not catering to major one-off events (Boardmasters in Cornwall) and regular extreme peaks (rugby in Exeter). Now they're being criticised for catering to a one-off event in Bath. Okay, I'm sure it's different people doing the criticising, but it does show that, in the absence of unlimited capacity, they're damned if they do and damned if they don't in these circumstances.

I don't think they catered for the Bath Market specifically, it was just a coincidence that the event was taking place at the same time as an engineering block was in place between Swindon and Didcot and the  Bristol - Swindon Shuttles provided a Swindon - Chippenham - Bath - Bristol service in lieu.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: grahame on November 29, 2017, 22:28:50
I don't think they catered for the Bath Market specifically ...

Posters at Westbury, Trowbridge and Melksham (see attachment for photo) listed additional trains running from Westbury to Bath and specified they were for the Christmas market.   25% of the TransWilts (Westbury to Swindon) was cancelled due to lack of train crew, and the (only) poster at Melksham Station which showed train times there was covered with the advert for the extra services.  On my pointing out that there's a franchise commitment to display departure times at each station, the poster was moved  ;) .


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Timmer on November 30, 2017, 16:51:19
I don't think they catered for the Bath Market specifically ...

Posters at Westbury, Trowbridge and Melksham (see attachment for photo) listed additional trains running from Westbury to Bath and specified they were for the Christmas market.   25% of the TransWilts (Westbury to Swindon) was cancelled due to lack of train crew, and the (only) poster at Melksham Station which showed train times there was covered with the advert for the extra services.  On my pointing out that there's a franchise commitment to display departure times at each station, the poster was moved  ;) .
Hmmmm doesn’t look like the ‘24 additional trains’ the Bath Chronicle reported would be running does it.


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Chris from Nailsea on December 10, 2017, 00:29:49
Hmm.  ::)

To be fair, the Bath Chronicle apparently based their article on a press release issued by Great Western Railway, dated 22 November 2017:

Quote
Press release
Wednesday 22 November
 
Additional trains for Bath Christmas Market
 
Great Western Railway is to run 24 additional trains to and from Bath Spa this coming weekend, which will provide almost 10,000 extra seats to support travel to the Christmas market.
 
Additional services are to be provided between Bath and Swindon and Westbury; and between Bath and Bristol, but passengers are being warned that services will be in demand during peak arrival and departure times, and engineering work will affect journeys from further afield.
 
A queuing system will be in use at the station to allow passengers to board services safely, and shoppers should allow plenty of time to board services home.
 
Bath Spa Station Manager Todd Graham said: “Once again we will welcome a significant number of people to our city and the ever-popular Christmas market.
 
“Our friendly and approachable staff will be on hand to help keep people moving. I would however urge customers to allow time for their journeys, as the station is likely to be very busy, and with engineering works taking place elsewhere on the network for those travelling from further afield to check their journeys in advance.”
 
A large number of services will also have extended dwell times at key locations and there will be slight alterations to normal timetabled services as a result.
 
London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads services will be diverted between Reading and Bath Spa, with bus replacement services operating between Reading and Didcot Parkway/Swindon, as Network Rail renew track between Didcot and Swindon in preparation for our new Electrostar trains at Didcot Parkway station.




Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: Timmer on December 10, 2017, 07:33:36
Someone’s thoughts on the expectation and provision of extra rail services for the Bath Christmas market:
http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/news/bath-news/bath-christmas-market-shoppers-complaining-901971

And no it’s not me!  :)


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: grahame on December 10, 2017, 09:19:45
Someone’s thoughts on the expectation and provision of extra rail services for the Bath Christmas market:
http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/news/bath-news/bath-christmas-market-shoppers-complaining-901971

And no it’s not me!  :)

It reminds me somewhat of the click-bait I sometimes see on my Facebook feed - "14 most disappointing places to visit ..." and a lot of world iconic sites are illustrated.   There's a common theme that I noticed which is "overcrowded"

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/tml0.jpg)


Title: Re: Learning where GWR's priorities lie ...
Post by: JayMac on December 10, 2017, 10:24:13
Someone’s thoughts on the expectation and provision of extra rail services for the Bath Christmas market:
http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/news/bath-news/bath-christmas-market-shoppers-complaining-901971

And no it’s not me!  :)

A 'Bah! Humbug' correspondent after my own heart.

I love the line, "Second-rate tat from third-rate sheds."

 ;D



This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net