Great Western Coffee Shop

05:47 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 08:15 will be started from Reading.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

06:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 09:37 will be terminated at Oxford.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

08:21 London Paddington to Hereford due 11:40 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

09:54 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 12:28 will be started from Oxford.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

12:09 Hereford to London Paddington due 15:27 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Charlbury and Oxford trains have to run at reduced speed on the line towards Oxford.
Train services running through these stations may be delayed by up to 30 minutes. Disruption is expected until 10:30 03/01.

09:50 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 11:30 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.

16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

15:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 17:58 will be terminated at Oxford.
This is due to train crew being delayed.


18:34 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:31 will be started from Oxford.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

06:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 09:37 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcester Foregate Street, Malvern Link and Great Malvern.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

10:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 13:47 will be terminated at Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Further Information
Customers are advised to travel on the next available train service between Worcester Foregate Street and Hereford.

15:14 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 will be started from Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Further Information
Customers at Hereford travelling to Reading and London Paddington are advised to travel to Newport on Arriva train 15:51 Hereford to Tenby service and change at Newport for London Paddington.
Customers between Hereford and Worcester Shrub Hill travelling to London Paddington are advised to travel on the London Midland 15:39 Hereford to Birmingham New Street service and change onto Virgin West coast 17:30 Birmingham New Street to London Euston. Arrangements have been made for Great Western rail tickets to be accepted for these journeys.

Given all the cancellations, it seems a little petty to point out that the 15:22 Paddington to Great Malvern has been short-formed all week - it's been confirmed it will be a Turbo again today. Presumably this short-formation is going to be a medium term pragmatism given lack of other available stock.

15:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 17:58 will be terminated at Worcester Foregate Street.
It has been delayed at Reading and is now 28 minutes late.
This is due to a tree blocking the railway earlier today.


18:34 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:31 will be started from Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a tree blocking the railway earlier today.

It's also misleading - the delay was at Paddington, not Reading:  I was on the 1552 to Moreton - a nice empty HST which was alongside the jam packed 1522 at Paddington and left (on time) 5 minutes after the 1522.  Small details but it does make you wonder if they are just making it all up

09:54 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 12:28 is being delayed at Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a fault on this train.

12:21 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 14:38 has been cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.
Further Information
Customers are advised to travel on the next available train service.

15:22 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 17:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.
Further Information
Customers are advised to travel on the next available train service.

All IET services along the Cotswold Line are supposed to be crewed by the new Worcester depot IIRC, which has had a less than successful start - the depot manager has recently left after only a few months in the job. 

Not sure why they are short?  Possibly a case of relying on a small depot that is more likely to be affected by sickness or other issues that affect availability?

15:14 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will no longer call at Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough, Oxford, Reading, Slough and London Paddington.
It is being delayed at Hereford.
This is due to a fault on this train.

12:42 London Paddington to Hereford due 16:01 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

14:42 London Paddington to Hereford due 17:56 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

15:42 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 18:05 will be reinstated and will now run as scheduled.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 10.

16:34 Hereford to London Paddington due 20:04 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

18:26 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 21:00 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

18:30 Hereford to London Paddington due 22:13 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

21:42 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 00:16 will be started from Reading.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

10 down to 3.............is that a record?

12:42 London Paddington to Hereford due 16:01 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

14:42 London Paddington to Hereford due 17:56 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Customers are advised to catch the next available train service.

15:42 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 18:05 will be reinstated.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 10.

16:34 Hereford to London Paddington due 20:04 will be reinstated.
It will be started from Oxford.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 10.

18:26 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 21:00 will be reinstated.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 10.

18:30 Hereford to London Paddington due 22:13 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

21:42 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 00:16 will be started from Reading.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

10 down to 3.............is that a record?


15:42 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 18:05 will be reinstated.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 10.

GWR are reporting a "Good service". How in all conscience can they morally do that with the situation on the North Cotswold line?
Any excuse explaining that the trains they are running are on time etc.etc and therefore it is a good service should be treated with the contempt it deserves.
As an ex BR operations manager I have given up trying to defend GWR.

05:28 Hereford to London Paddington due 08:27 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

As a HST rather than an IET.

09.21 from Paddington to Worcester cancelled too, and the 12.00 return.

Edit: And the 10.22 Paddington to Hereford, and the 15.14 return. 12.09 from Hereford caped at Shrub Hill.

Edit 2: 16.22 Paddington-Malvern, 17.52 Paddington-Worcester, 19.42 Malvern-Paddington, 20.59 Worcester-Paddington all cancelled.

Both the CLPG and Charlbury Town Council have written to Mark Hopwood asking what the ---- is going on (in politer language, no doubt).

Edit 3: 19.22 Paddington-Hereford also cancelled. Unbelievable.

13:22 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 15:41 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

15:51 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 17:59 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

06:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 09:37 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

09:54 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 12:28 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

09:35 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 12:25 will be started from Reading.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 8. First class not available. Catering is not available. There are no reservations on this service.

Facilities on the 13:15 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 16:04.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 8. First class not available. Catering is not available. There are no reservations on this service.

15:42 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 18:05 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

18:26 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 21:00 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

Sunday January 14, at 05:10:

08:00 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 10:54 has been cancelled.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.

11:14 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 14:07 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

It seems that the Cotswold line suffers very disproportionately taking into account the infrequency of services at the best of times - almost daily cancellations creating huge gaps between services.

Shortforming an 3 hour, 8 carriage HST service down to a 2 car Turbo is simply appalling.

The main passenger flow on the 09:35 out of Paddington on a Sunday morning will be tourists off to Oxford for the day. Too many for a two-car Turbo. But if you're forcing them to change at Reading there are alternatives in the form of four-car Voyagers.

It really shouldn't be down to just the odd train having an accident and needing significant repair of even being written off ... but GWR are two power cars down on what they expected at the moment due to collisions with trees, and I understand the damage isn't quickly fixable - indeed may not be fixed with the power cars in question now being amongst those withdrawn from service as they're displaced by IETs rather than heading for Scotland or Cornwall.

I wasn't aware that GWR had any Voyagers, or that any Voyager drivers had route knowledge between Paddington and Reading.

As the original says "forcing them to change at Reading", I suspect the original poster was thinking of Oxford passengers catching any HST out of Paddington and changing to a Cross Country Voyager at Reading - minimum 4 cars, occasionally 5!

It really shouldn't be down to just the odd train having an accident and needing significant repair of even being written off ... but GWR are two power cars down on what they expected at the moment due to collisions with trees, and I understand the damage isn't quickly fixable - indeed may not be fixed with the power cars in question now being amongst those withdrawn from service as they're displaced by IETs rather than heading for Scotland or Cornwall.

15:42 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 18:05 will be reinstated.
It will be started from Oxford.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

18:26 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 21:00 will be reinstated.
It will be terminated at Oxford.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

As the original says "forcing them to change at Reading", I suspect the original poster was thinking of Oxford passengers catching any HST out of Paddington and changing to a Cross Country Voyager at Reading - minimum 4 cars, occasionally 5!

Indeed, the alternative that the journey planners would offer would normally be a change at Reading into a CrossCountry - but whether that would appeal to a tourist is another matter.  My expectation would be that they would prefer the next direct train, one hour later.

For Oxford-bound tourists, I suspect increasingly they would prefer the service from Marylebone...

16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:15/01/2018 01:52

19:42 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 22:31 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:15/01/2018 02:35

09:21 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 11:31 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:15/01/2018 07:16

12:00 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 14:27 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:15/01/2018 07:16

11:22 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 13:44 will be terminated at Oxford.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:15/01/2018 10:02

13:55 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 16:27 will be started from Oxford.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:15/01/2018 10:02

15:14 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 was terminated at Ledbury.
It will no longer call at Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough, Oxford, Reading, Slough and London Paddington.
This is due to a fault on this train.

16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 will be reinstated.
It will be started from Reading.
It will no longer call at London Paddington and Slough.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 10.

All six were supposed to be IET operated again but no trained drivers available, though the Shrub Hill to Foregate Street cancellation is comparatively minor of course.

I guess a small detail like having drivers to drive the lovely shiny new trains is a minor detail, and so easily overlooked  ::)

Facilities on the 16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 5. First class not available. Catering is not available. There are no reservations on this service. Toilet facilities are reduced.

Facilities on the 19:42 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 22:31.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 5. First class not available. Catering is not available. There are no reservations on this service. Toilet facilities are not available.

The GWR crystal ball has a new capability - it can predict that the reduced toilet facilities will fail at Great Malvern about 19:30.

Not on JourneyCheck but the 07:10 Moreton-in-Marsh to Paddington was a three coach Turbo instead of the usual HST. It did join up with another Turbo at Oxford so there were six coaches through to Paddington.

...hugely short...

Oxymoron of the week for sure :)

The GWR crystal ball has a new capability - it can predict that the reduced toilet facilities will fail at Great Malvern about 19:30.

16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

....the song remains the same.....

....the song remains the same.....


16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 will be cancelled.

This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 will no longer call at Combe and Finstock.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 5. First class reduced. Catering is not available. There are no reservations on this service.

This service has been reinstated with a different type of train...

....the song remains the same.....


16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 will be cancelled.

This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 will no longer call at Combe and Finstock.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 5. First class reduced. Catering is not available. There are no reservations on this service.
Additional Information

This service has been reinstated with a different type of train to the planned Intercity Express Train, owing to the change in the type of train forming this service we are unable to honour seat reservations that customers may have made for this journey.

The song has changed!

Due to a broken down train between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill the line towards Worcester Shrub Hill is blocked.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 16:00 21/01.

The 08:00 Padd'n - Great Malvern was cancelled betweeen Oxford and Shrub Hill due to (according to RTT) a planning error.

And today's bigger problem is

This has resulted in the cancellation between Oxford and Hereford of

• 10:42 Padd'n - Hereford
• 12:42 Padd'n - Hereford
• 14:32 Hereford - Padd'n
• 16:34 Hereford - Padd'n

14:21 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 16:44 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

15:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 17:58
 
Facilities on the 15:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 17:58.
Will be formed of 8 coaches instead of 5.

...............It won't be today!

07:10 Moreton-In-Marsh to London Paddington due 08:51


Facilities on the 07:10 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 08:51.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 6 from Reading.

Especially as there’s now a tree on the line at Ascott.

Cancellations to services between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill
Due to a tree blocking the railway at Ascott-under-Wychwood all lines are blocked. Disruption is expected until 12:30 24/01.
Train services between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill may be cancelled or delayed.
Last Updated:24/01/2018 09:58

07:50 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 10:15 will be terminated at Charlbury.
This is due to a tree blocking the railway.
Last Updated:24/01/2018 09:24

08:21 London Paddington to Hereford due 11:40 will be terminated at Oxford.
This is due to a tree blocking the railway.
Last Updated:24/01/2018 09:17

08:25 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 10:57 is being delayed at Kingham.
This is due to a tree blocking the railway.
Last Updated:24/01/2018 09:32

09:21 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 11:31 has been cancelled.
This is due to a tree blocking the railway.
Last Updated:24/01/2018 09:23

09:50 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 11:30 will be cancelled.
This is due to a tree blocking the railway.
Last Updated:24/01/2018 09:37

09:54 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 12:28 will be diverted between Worcester Shrub Hill and Reading.
It will no longer call at Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough and Oxford but will call additionally at Cheltenham Spa and Swindon.
It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 32 minutes late.
This is due to a tree blocking the railway.
Last Updated:24/01/2018 10:07

10:59 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 13:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a tree blocking the railway.
Last Updated:24/01/2018 09:37

12:00 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 14:27 will be cancelled.
This is due to a tree blocking the railway.
Last Updated:24/01/2018 09:29

12:09 Hereford to London Paddington due 15:27 will be started from Oxford.
This is due to a tree blocking the railway.
Last Updated:24/01/2018 09:27

The morning service seems to be a write off - disruption expected until 12.30pm. I think, perhaps, we can forgive GWR this one...

And sending the 09:54 from Great Malvern round via Stroud doesn't seem to have cost it any time.

The morning service seems to be a write off - disruption expected until 12.30pm. I think, perhaps, we can forgive GWR this one...

That's one minor benefit of the new Worcester depot, as there's now a better chance the crew will sign the Stroud route, so handy for unplanned diversions.

15:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 17:58 has been cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

15:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 17:58 has been cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:24/01/2018 15:24

18:34 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:24/01/2018 15:24

09:50 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 11:30 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Facilities on the 11:22 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 13:44.
Will be formed of 7 coaches instead of 5.

Facilities on the 14:21 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 16:44.
Will be formed of 8 coaches instead of 5.

Only fair to report good news as well as bad:



and the return trips in both cases.

The more pertinent point is that were these supposed to be IETs and, if so, is it lack of stock or lack of suitably trained drivers that has resulted in these substitutions?

19:42 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 22:31 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Further Information
Customers between Great Malvern and Worcester Foregate Street are advised to travel on the next London Midland service to Worcester Shrub Hill.
Last Updated:25/01/2018 17:04

But they weren't very good coaches:

1P21 0554 Great Malvern to London Paddington
This service was cancelled throughout due to an issue with the train crew (TH).

07:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 10:00 will be terminated at Oxford.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:27/01/2018 05:45

08:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 11:40 will be terminated at Oxford.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 8. First class reduced. Catering is not available. Toilet facilities are not available.
Additional Information
A rail replacement coach service will operate between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill.

10:43 Worcester Shrub Hill to Hereford due 11:40
An additional train service has been planned to operate as shown 10:43 Worcester Shrub Hill to Hereford due 11:40.
Last Updated:27/01/2018 07:45

10:45 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 13:29 will be started from Oxford.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:27/01/2018 05:47

Facilities on the 12:13 Hereford to London Paddington due 15:26.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 8. First class reduced. Catering is not available. Toilet facilities are not available.
Last Updated:27/01/2018 04:36

18:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 21:35 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:27/01/2018 08:12

Shortage of train managers for most of that list.  Pathetic. GWR - Going Wrong Rapidly.

When was the last day on which the Cotswold's line service ran as advertised?

Sorry - my fault with the date. But now corrected. And the correct answer is indeed Friday January 26.

1 day out of 29 so far in 2018 where the line ran as advertised (just out of interest, how many short formations on the 26th?)

10:59 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 13:29 will be started from Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to congestion.
Further Information
Passengers for onwards connection to Great Malvern should await the 10:49 GWR departure from Worcester Shrub Hill for Hereford.
Passengers wishing to travel from Great Malvern should await the West Midlands Railway service from Great Malvern at 11:10 to Worcester Foregate St and then change for the 12:00 GWR departure for London Paddington.
Last Updated:29/01/2018 10:01

We also need to document that

snip

15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 17:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

17:38 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 19:02 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Now the 1522 Paddington to Great Malvern is being held at Oxford waiting for a crew member! As they say, you couldn't make it .

Now terminated at Oxford leaving a two coach 1622 Paddington to Great Malvern service to deal with the 2 cancellations.

06:53 Foregate Street - Didcot was only 12 late at Oxford but (according to RTT) took ages to get into Didcot, arriving 45 late.

That one had a Cat A SPAD approaching Didcot Parkway and passed a red signal by one coach length.

When are the press going to start picking up on this I wonder?

When there was a big meltdown, on Sunday January 7, I emailed the grisly details to the Worcester News. Not interested.

When there was a big meltdown, on Sunday January 7, I emailed the grisly details to the Worcester News. Not interested.

I guess when something happens every day in some ways it's less newsworthy - one might expect, taking into account the dire service since Christmas a communication/explanation/apology from the direction of the Invisible Man or one of his acolytes in the GWR bunker.................however we know where GWR is when it comes to attitudes to Customer Service/Communication...............almost as reliable as its trains!  ::)

15:22 PAD-GMV now restarted at Oxford 45 late and going as far as Worcester which is something I suppose!

19:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 22:52 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will no longer call at Worcester Foregate Street, Malvern Link, Great Malvern, Colwall, Ledbury and Hereford.
This is due to a shortage of train managers.

07:10 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 08:51 has been cancelled.
This is due to a points failure.

due to the signalbox not being open (OL).

05:28 Hereford to London Paddington due 08:27 will be started from Great Malvern.
This is due to train crew being delayed.
Last Updated:31/01/2018 04:56

This service was cancelled between Hereford and Great Malvern due to a planning error (TI).

08:25 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 10:57 will be reinstated.
It will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

05:28 Hereford to London Paddington due 08:27 will be diverted between Worcester Shrub Hill and Reading.
It will no longer call at Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Charlbury, Hanborough and Oxford but will call additionally at Didcot Parkway.
It has been previously delayed, is being further delayed between Worcester Shrub Hill and Reading and is now expected to be 66 minutes late.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.

was cancelled between Worcester Shrub Hill and Great Malvern due to unknown cause (R8).

09:54 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 12:28 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.
Last Updated:02/02/2018 08:31

The divergence between the public timetable service and reality on the route has become a disgrace.  I can't understand why the press haven't picked-up on the way  passengers are being treated by "GWR"; it should surely be headline news.  You'd think those at the top responsible for this omnishambles would, if they had any honour and self-respect, resign.

I am not entirely sure who's fault it all is.  GWR obviously have their part of the blame but it could include any or all of the following points that I have heard mentioned:

• delays in electrification that meant that rolling stock changeover including staff training was compressed into too short a timescale
• delays in new trains meaning that rolling stock changeover including staff training was compressed into too short a timescale
• repeated failure of infrastructure due to either lack of maintenance poor procurement decisions in the past or disturbance by crossrail works
• new trains not working out of the box like they were supposed to
• just trying to do too much on the line at once.
• too short a franchise (extension) to allow GWR invest in staff.
• DfT negotiating the price down so much that GWR had to cut costs.
• insufficient human resources available to train enough new staff.
• alienation between staff and management leading to excessive staff turnover.

I am not sure that senior managers falling on their swords always achieves very much unless it was that individual that autocratically controlled the organisation (or failed to when it needed it). 

There is a good reason why DfT have been extending the franchise, because the experience of WCML upgrade was that the such franchises are toxic to the franchise company. 

The enormous point that you are missing, is that Hopwood is 100% on point and accountable for explaining the situation openly and honestly to his customers and outlining the steps that he is taking to recover the situation with whichever stakeholders are necessary.

The very fact that you are having to speculate via the list above, demonstrates that he and his organisation are totally failing in this most basic of leadership functions - effective communication.

I am not even sure I can blame that on him or even GWR as there seems to be an agreement in the railway industry not to pass blame about. Presumably this is because the various parties have to work together somehow.  However, the lack of transparency seems to be the result. It is not personal it is systemic in the railway industry. 

I don't think the resignation of an MD will change that. 

10:45 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 13:29 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to a shortage of train guards.

12:22 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 14:00 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh.
This is due to a shortage of train guards.
Last Updated:03/02/2018 12:45

15:20 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 18:01 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcester Foregate Street, Malvern Link and Great Malvern.
This is due to a shortage of train guards.

16:35 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 19:26 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will no longer call at Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough, Oxford, Reading, Slough and London Paddington.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 8. First class not available.

17:22 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 19:44 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a shortage of train guards.

18:35 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:25 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to a shortage of train guards.

20:04 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 22:31 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to a shortage of train guards.

Facilities on the 14:32 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:05.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 5 from Oxford.
Last Updated:04/02/2018 17:03

Facilities on the 18:42 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 21:11.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 5 to Oxford.
Last Updated:04/02/2018 17:03

16:21 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26
16:21 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 has been cancelled.
This is due to train crew being delayed.
Last Updated:05/02/2018 16:37

15:14 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29
15:14 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 has been delayed at Worcester Foregate Street and is now 19 minutes late.
This is due to a fault on a train in front of this one.

15:51 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 17:59
15:51 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 17:59 will no longer call at Evesham, Moreton-in-Marsh and Charlbury.
It has been previously delayed, has been further delayed at Worcester Shrub Hill and is now 24 minutes late.
This is due to a fault on this train.

19:42 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 22:31 will be reinstated.
It will be started from Reading.
This is due to a safety inspection on a train.
Last Updated:05/02/2018 17:30

The return working of the 16:21 from Paddington to Great Malvern had been cancelled, but now

"Reinstated" ??  Not for a passenger from, say, Evesham, it's not been reinstated.

I suppose it's entertaining to see what excuses are given for these non-performances.  The outward train cancelled because of traincrew being delayed but the return not running for most of it's journey because of a safety inspection.  Very creative.  Straight from la-la land.

I quite like the words "on a train" as opposed to "on this train". The way it's written doesn't even mean the train that was due to be used on that service.

Wording is standard and can apply to a different train ... for example if something is pulled up on a running line for a safety check and train(s) behind can't get through / have to turn back short.   Agreed it remains a cancellation as far as stations not served are concerned.

Well I did raise at the GWR Customer Panel Meeting this evening the issue of the reliability (or lack of it) currently on the Cotswolds in particular the amount of total cancellations and short running arising from staff or train availability.

The core reason given is not much more than what has already been discussed here, viz training of staff for IETs particularly at Worcester. As the staff are trained the issue should be progressively reduced and gone within 2 months or so. Etc Etc.

I did strongly advise that customers deserved some high level public explanation and reassurance, and just leaving the cancellations to pile up day after day without one builds up severe reputational damage.  Whether this advice is taken up remains to be seen.

12:22 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 14:00 will be reinstated.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 8. First class reduced. There are no reservations on this service.

14:50 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 16:29 will be reinstated.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 8. First class reduced. There are no reservations on this service.

Cotswold Line travellers might be interested in this public meeting in Charlbury on 8th February, organised by the local MP: http://www.charlbury.info/events/5226

Cancellations to services at Worcester Shrub Hill
Due to a points failure at Worcester Shrub Hill all lines are blocked.
Train services running through this station may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 18:00 10/02.
Customer Advice
Due to a points failure just to the London/Cheltenham Spa side of Worcester Shrub Hill station, no trains are able to run between Worcester Shrub Hill and Evesham/Cheltenham Spa

13:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 16:04 will be terminated at Worcester Foregate Street.
It will no longer call at Malvern Link and Great Malvern.
It is being delayed at Evesham and is now expected to be 35 minutes late.
This is due to a points failure.

14:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 17:00 will be delayed at Moreton-in-Marsh.
This is due to a points failure.

14:35 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 17:26 is being delayed between Worcester Shrub Hill and Pershore.
This is due to a points failure.

15:42 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 18:07
Facilities on the 15:42 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 18:07.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 8.
Last Updated:11/02/2018 10:07

18:26 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 21:02 will be started from Oxford.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 8.
Last Updated:11/02/2018 10:06

18:30 Hereford to London Paddington due 22:11 will be terminated at Reading.
This is due to a shortage of train managers.
Last Updated:11/02/2018 11:09

07:10 Moreton-In-Marsh to London Paddington due 08:51
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 5 from Oxford.
Last Updated:12/02/2018 04:42

08:25 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 10:57 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

09:21 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 11:31 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:12/02/2018 09:07

12:00 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 14:27 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:12/02/2018 09:07

14:21 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 16:44 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

17:26 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 19:59 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

as was the outward 05:47 Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street. Curiously, Realtime Trains gave the reason for this cancellation as being "due to the train being swapped (YU)".

16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
It is being delayed at Reading and is now expected to be 26 minutes late.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.
Last Updated:12/02/2018 17:18

The return trip is the important one given it’s half term.  Hundreds more inconvenienced people to add to the list since the service collapsed from the new year onwards.

13:55 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 16:27 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

14:21 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 16:44 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

13:55 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 16:27 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Reading, Slough and London Paddington.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

14:21 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 16:44 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at London Paddington, Slough and Reading.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

15:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 17:58


Facilities on the 15:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 17:58.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 5.


................and the return 1834...........isn't this supposed to be an HST?

This is a relatively new service (filling a long-standing gap between 14:22 and 15:49 from Paddington) and was originally a Class 180 before becoming an IET in mid-January (with a Turbo substitution inbetween).

05:47 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 08:15
05:47 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 08:15 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

.......and the 0825 return trip cancelled

Same again today.

But it's unacceptable to cancel the first off-peak London bound service every day during half-term.

19:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 22:52 will be terminated at Great Malvern.
It will no longer call at Colwall, Ledbury and Hereford.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 will no longer call at Slough.
It has been delayed at London Paddington and is now 24 minutes late.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.

17:52 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 20:06 has been delayed at London Paddington and is now 18 minutes late.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.

18:34 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:29 will be started from Worcester Foregate Street.
It will no longer call at Great Malvern and Malvern Link.
This is due to a fault on a train in front of this one.

Same again today.

09:21 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 11:31 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

Further Information
Customers are advised to travel on the 10:22 London Paddington to Hereford service.

12:00 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 14:27 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

Further Information
Customers are advised to travel on the 12:09 Hereford to London Paddington service.

"GWR" have obviously given up on even pretending to run the service properly now.  They should acknowledge that they can't do it, and let another operator have a go with the route.

"GWR" have obviously given up on even pretending to run the service properly now.

14:21 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 16:44 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

Further Information
Customers are advised to travel on the next available service.

16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

Further Information
Customers are advised to travel on the next available service.

17:26 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 19:59 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

Further Information
Customers are advised to travel on the next available service.

19:42 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 22:31 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

Further Information
Customers are advised to travel on the next available train service.

Seems to be little appetite from... local politicians... to try to do anything about it though.

13:55 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 16:27 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will no longer call at Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough, Oxford, Reading, Slough and London Paddington.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

Further Information
Road replacement transport will operate between Worcester Shrub Hill and Oxford.

And again today. It does feel like this was a planned cancellation for the whole week rather than an on the day decision.

04:47 Hereford to London Paddington due 07:52 will be diverted between Worcester Shrub Hill and Didcot Parkway.
It will no longer call at Pershore, Evesham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough and Oxford.
It has been delayed at Hereford and is now 50 minutes late.
This is due to train crew being delayed.

I'm in London twice next week and live 5 minutes from Honeybourne, but, reading this thread, will clearly have to drive to Warwick Parkway - no one in their right mind would dream of planning to use a Cotswold line service at the moment. Chiltern must be enjoying their increased revenues!

05:54 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 08:27 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of train guards.
Last Updated:17/02/2018 05:01

12:42 London Paddington to Hereford due 16:01
12:42 London Paddington to Hereford due 16:01 will be started from Reading.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 8.
Last Updated:18/02/2018 11:20

13:32 Hereford to London Paddington due 17:11
Facilities on the 13:32 Hereford to London Paddington due 17:11.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 8.
Last Updated:18/02/2018 10:17

16:28 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 19:09
Facilities on the 16:28 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 19:09.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 8.
Last Updated:18/02/2018 11:55

16:34 Hereford to London Paddington due 20:09
Facilities on the 16:34 Hereford to London Paddington due 20:09.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 8.
Last Updated:18/02/2018 11:21


19:42 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 22:24 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Further Information
Replacement road transport will operate between Oxford and Great Malvern. Customers are requested to wait for road transport in the designated road replacement areas. Customers are advised that buses will run later that than the advertised train times due to line of route and additional time required for loading and unloading.
Last Updated:18/02/2018 14:33

04:47 Hereford to London Paddington due 07:52 has been delayed at Worcester Foregate Street and is now 17 minutes late.

05:11 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 07:27 has been delayed at Worcester Shrub Hill and is now 35 minutes late.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.

05:28 Hereford to London Paddington due 08:27 has been delayed at Hereford and is now 14 minutes late.
This is due to train crew being delayed.

Just because the 07:10 used to be an HST, does not mean it is short formed, it has planned to be a turbo for a while now and is now retimed to 07:12

Just because the 07:10 used to be an HST, does not mean it is short formed, it has planned to be a turbo for a while now and is now retimed to 07:12

20:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 22:57 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Further Information
Due to no road transport available, customers are advised to travel on the next available train service.

The next available (and last) train departing Paddington one hour 26 minutes later, and only going as far as Worcester Shrub Hill.

Someone should tell GWR then. Their timetable and booking engines still show it departing at 0710, offering seat reservations, first class, catering, power sockets...

Anyway, irrespective of whether it's a short-formation or not, this morning GWR served up just two coaches for the 07:10 (or is it 07:12 - who knows, certainly not JourneyCheck or National Rail Enquiries) Moreton-in-Marsh to Paddington train - a service which was an 8 coach HST until mid-January.

It is supposed to couple up to another 3-car at Oxford to form a 6-car, which isn’t too bad and will obviously not be a long term arrangement as an IET should be working it by the end of the year, after which the timetable will be changed. 

It's difficult to avoid the conclusion that GWR regard the Cotswolds line as somewhat irrelevant and its customers expendable in the greater scheme.

21:51 Hereford to London Paddington due 01:17 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to urgent repairs to the track.
Further Information
Alternative road transport currently being sourced.
Last Updated:20/02/2018 13:50

15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 17:26 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh.
It has been delayed between London Paddington and Reading and is now 20 minutes late.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.

21:48 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 00:15 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Shipton, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore and Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to urgent repairs to the track.

15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 17:26 will be terminated at Oxford.
It has been delayed between London Paddington and Reading and is now 20 minutes late.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.
Last Updated:20/02/2018 16:58

17:38 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 19:02 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Moreton-in-Marsh.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.
Last Updated:20/02/2018 16:58

Facilities on the 17:52 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 20:06.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 3.
Last Updated:20/02/2018 16:47

Facilities on the 20:59 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 23:36.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 3.
Last Updated:20/02/2018 16:47

Facilities on the 17:52 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 20:06.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 3.
Last Updated:20/02/2018 16:47

I must have missed the downgrading of the 17:52 to be a Turbo. It's in the pocket timetable as an HST or an IET.

17:38 Moreton-In-Marsh to London Paddington due 19:02
17:38 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 19:02 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Moreton-in-Marsh.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.
Last Updated:20/02/2018 16:58

04:47 Hereford to London Paddington due 07:52 will be diverted between Worcester Shrub Hill and Didcot Parkway.
It will no longer call at Pershore, Evesham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough and Oxford.
It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 29 minutes late.
This is due to urgent repairs to the railway.

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/16038585.GWR_under_fire_after_day_of_chaos_on_services_to_and_from_Worcester/?ref=twtrec

Made the Press.....you'll note that GWR failed to provide a comment in reply.

It is supposed to couple up to another 3-car at Oxford to form a 6-car, which isn’t too bad...

08:21 London Paddington to Hereford due 11:40 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of train guards.
Last Updated:22/02/2018 09:38

12:09 Hereford to London Paddington due 15:27 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of train guards.
Last Updated:22/02/2018 09:38

Note the time of the posting of this.

And also note that "GWR" don't regard it as a cancellation, merely a "train service update".  But it is a cancellation, surely, for anyone intending to travel on it from Worcester to Hereford.  This playing with words to make a situation look less bad than it really is does "GWR" no credit.

12:21 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 14:38
12:21 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 14:38 will be terminated at Evesham.
It will no longer call at Pershore and Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:22/02/2018 13:49

15:22 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 17:29 will be started from Evesham.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:22/02/2018 13:49

15:51 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 17:59 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.
Last Updated:22/02/2018 14:59

16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:22/02/2018 16:16

19:42 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 22:32 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:22/02/2018 16:16

06:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 09:37 will be cancelled.
This is due to the train for this service having broken down.

09:54 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 12:28 will be cancelled.
This is due to the train for this service having broken down.

06:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 09:37 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

Additional Information
For more detailed information please contact a member of station staff or make use of the Customer Help Point systems available. Please allow more time for your intended journey.
Customers are advised to use the next available service.

09:54 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 12:28 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will no longer call at Great Malvern, Malvern Link and Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 5. Catering is not available. There are no reservations on this service. Disabled toilet facilities are not available.

Additional Information
Owing to a change in the type of train forming this service we are unable to honour seat reservations that customers may have made for this journey.

Another week begins:

[...] better news on the return run:

04:47 Hereford to London Paddington due 07:52 will no longer call at Didcot Parkway.
It has been delayed at Ledbury and is now 32 minutes late.
This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.

06:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 09:37 has been cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

07:10 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 08:51 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to congestion.

09:54 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 12:28 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

According to RTT, the 0511 from Worcester SH was 72 minutes late into PAD. It looks like it was stuck between Twyford and Maidenhead for about 50 minutes, presumably due to the signalling issue which was mentioned on GWR JourneyCheck.

12:09 Hereford to London Paddington due 15:27 has been previously delayed but is now 30 minutes late from Oxford.
This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption.

15:14 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:38 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will no longer call at Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link and Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.

15:22 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 17:29 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Reading, Slough and London Paddington.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:27/02/2018 15:12

04:47 Hereford to London Paddington due 07:52 will no longer call at Didcot Parkway.
It has been delayed between Hereford and Worcester Shrub Hill and is now 24 minutes late.
This is due to earlier engineering works not being finished on time.

07:10 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 08:51 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.

05:47 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 08:15 was terminated at Evesham.
It will no longer call at Pershore, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a fault on a train in front of this one.

06:53 Worcester Foregate Street to Didcot Parkway due 08:28 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

07:10 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 08:51 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.

Appreciating that the weather may well impact upon today's service, for the record:

10:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 13:47 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will no longer call at London Paddington, Slough, Reading, Oxford, Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham and Pershore.
This is due to severe weather.

11:22 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 13:44 has been cancelled.
This is due to severe weather.

12:21 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 14:38 will be cancelled.
This is due to severe weather.

Due to severe weather between Oxford and Hereford all lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations will be cancelled. Disruption is expected until 23:59 03/03.
Customer Advice
Ticket acceptance has been arranged with CrossCountry, Chiltern Railways, Virgin West Coast and West Midlands Railway for customers travelling between Worcester Shrub Hill and Hereford. Customers travelling at intermediate stations between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill are advised not to travel, replacement road transport cannot be provided due to the severe weather conditions.
Further Information
An update will follow within the next 5 hours.
Last Updated:03/03/2018 00:10

Due to severe weather between Oxford and Hereford all lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations will be cancelled. Disruption is expected until 12:00 03/03.
Customer Advice
Ticket acceptance has been arranged with CrossCountry, Chiltern Railways, Virgin West Coast and West Midlands Railway for customers travelling between Worcester Shrub Hill and Hereford. Customers travelling at intermediate stations between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill are advised not to travel, replacement road transport cannot be provided due to the severe weather conditions.
Further Information
An update will follow within the next 5 hours.
Last Updated:03/03/2018 06:41

It might be worth trawling through RTT to establish what actually ran, just as a record of how bad things can be when the snow gets in the way.

Due to severe weather between Oxford and Hereford all lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations will be cancelled. Disruption is expected until 16:00 03/03.
Customer Advice
Ticket acceptance has been arranged with CrossCountry, Chiltern Railways, Virgin West Coast and West Midlands Railway for customers travelling between Worcester Shrub Hill and Hereford. Customers travelling at intermediate stations between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill are advised not to travel, replacement road transport cannot be provided due to the severe weather conditions.
Further Information
An update will follow within the next 5 hours.
Last Updated:03/03/2018 11:42

Still no trains either way in Charlbury today (sunday) so three days now, luckily the roads are open.

A few years ago (2010?) when we had bad snow the train kept running while the roads were closed.

And cancellations and delays this morning due to a faulty train.

06:53 Worcester Foregate Street to Didcot Parkway due 08:28 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

07:10 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 08:51 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to a broken down train.

15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 17:26 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh.
This is due to a fault on this train.

16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

19:42 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 22:32 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

A full day without cancellations today, I think? Indeed, if RTT is to be believed, the notorious 16.22 even ran early at some stage... http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C56095/2018/03/08/advanced

..........normal service resumed!

08:25 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 10:57
08:25 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 10:57 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

05:47 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 08:15 was terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.
It has been delayed at London Paddington and is now 14 minutes late.
This is due to a fault on this train.

16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

19:42 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 22:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

Last Updated:09/03/2018 10:48

And they have the nerve to continue with their misjudged advertising campaign. :-[

......have you noticed how the "Building a Greater West" propaganda campaign has been quietly dropped?

I don't believe that these new trains exist.  ;)

Since the beginning of January I have been using a fairly random selection of early-mid morning trains into oxford and evening/late evening trains back and haven't yet even seen one. If the train has even run, it has been formed of a HST or turbo.

05:18 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 08:02 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:10/03/2018 03:16

08:43 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 11:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:10/03/2018 03:18

17:22 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 19:44 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:10/03/2018 03:19

20:04 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 22:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:10/03/2018 03:20

13:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 16:04
Facilities on the 13:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 16:04.
This is due to a derailment within the depot.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 8. Catering is not available. There are no reservations on this service.
Last Updated:10/03/2018 13:08

Facilities on the 14:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 17:00.
This is due to a derailment within the depot.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 8. Catering is not available. There are no reservations on this service.
Last Updated:10/03/2018 13:09

Facilities on the 16:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 19:45.
This is due to a derailment within the depot.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 8. Catering is not available. There are no reservations on this service.
Last Updated:10/03/2018 14:59

Facilities on the 16:35 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 19:26.
This is due to a derailment within the depot.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 8. There are no reservations on this service.
Last Updated:10/03/2018 07:38

Facilities on the 17:45 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 20:27.
This is due to a derailment within the depot.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 8.
Last Updated:10/03/2018 08:09

Facilities on the 20:20 Hereford to London Paddington due 23:51.
This is due to a derailment within the depot.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 8. Catering is not available. There are no reservations on this service.
Last Updated:10/03/2018 14:59

08:00 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 10:54 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:11/03/2018 05:30

11:14 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 14:07 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:11/03/2018 06:55

14:42 London Paddington to Hereford due 17:56 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Additional Information
Customers should use the next available service to Worcester Foregate Street and change there for connections to Hereford.
Last Updated:11/03/2018 08:09

18:30 Hereford to London Paddington due 22:13 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:11/03/2018 07:33

19:42 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 22:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:11/03/2018 07:41

14:32 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:05
14:32 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:05 will no longer call at Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Additional Information
Customers should use the 16.28 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington service which calls at Kingham at 17.20, Charlbury 17.31 and Hanborough 17.41.
Last Updated:11/03/2018 12:38

16:28 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 19:04
16:28 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 19:04 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will no longer call at Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough, Oxford, Didcot Parkway, Reading, Slough and London Paddington.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Further Information
Passengers are requested to utilise the next available service.
Last Updated:11/03/2018 13:41

I can't see the logic of cutting out some stops, on a train that isn't (yet) running late, on account of a shortage of drivers.

14:32 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:05 will no longer call at Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Additional Information
Customers for Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough should circulate via Oxford.
Last Updated:11/03/2018 14:39

13:32 Hereford to London Paddington due 17:06 will be terminated at Reading.
It will no longer call at Slough and London Paddington.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:11/03/2018 16:19

Driver needed back at Oxford as soon as possible apparently, though I can see no obvious reason why that should need to be the case!

Leaving aside the politics of whether the buck stops with GWR, DafT, or Network Rail, passengers deserve a statement explaining what the issues are, why they've happened, what's being done to resolve them and when a near normal service might be expected, and - if necessary - emergency timetables issued so there is a level of service that customers can realistically expect.

They've reinstated one of the Cardiff-London trains, probably the busiest post match one of all at 1722 so I'm guessing they must have pinched a driver from elsewhere to run that one?

According to RTT, into Oxford 7 minutes early. I do hope it was worthwhile.

05:47 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 08:15 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

Last Updated:12/03/2018 06:09


08:25 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 10:57 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

12:09 Hereford to London Paddington due 15:27 will be started from Ledbury and terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will no longer call at Hereford, Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough, Oxford, Reading, Slough and London Paddington.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

13:55 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 16:27 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will no longer call at Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Will be formed of 10 coaches instead of 5 between Worcester Shrub Hill and London Paddington.
Additional Facilities Information
Only the front 5 coaches will be available for customer use.

15:20 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 17:58 will no longer call at Slough.
It is being delayed at London Paddington.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 17:26 will no longer call at Slough, Hanborough, Charlbury and Kingham.
It will be starting late from London Paddington and is expected to be 15 minutes late.

Looks like the 15:20 Paddington to Great Malvern is being terminated at Oxford; currently running 23 late.
Sorry I was mistaken the following service has been cancelled from Oxford. Not sure how I delete the post.

Mark that you want to delete it, Ray951, as you have done and one of the admins will tidy up. Sadly, past incidents have meant that members aren't allowed to delete posts.  I won't go into the reasons and methods just in case there are any idiots who would do major damage.   I will give you and others a few hours to see this comment, then delete the post - Graham

Nothing wrong with the message. It was terminated at Oxford! I've gone to get a lift but someone has posted a picture on Twitter say is impossible to get on to the platform at the moment.

14:21 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 16:44 will be cancelled.

This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Additional Information
Customers are advised to travel on the next available train service.

Last Updated:13/03/2018 10:41


17:26 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 19:59 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

And here come the first of today's offerings:

This service was cancelled throughout due to an issue with the train crew (TG).

16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:14/03/2018 13:20

19:42 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 22:31 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

I wonder if GWR may be better off issuing a bulletin each evening letting people know which trains WILL run each day so that people can plan, rather than this daily creeping death?

06:53 Worcester Foregate Street to Didcot Parkway due 08:23 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Pershore, Evesham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Shipton, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Charlbury, Finstock, Combe and Hanborough.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

Last Updated:15/03/2018 05:26

09:21 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 11:31 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

12:00 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 14:27 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

Last Updated:15/03/2018 06:00

11:22 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 13:44 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

13:55 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 16:27 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

Last Updated:15/03/2018 10:54

14:21 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 16:44 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

17:26 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 19:59 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

Last Updated:15/03/2018 12:29

16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

19:42 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 22:31 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:15/03/2018 12:49

This is getting beyond a joke now. GWR have either simply given up or don't give a **** for their Cotswold Line customers

11:22 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 13:44 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

13:55 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 16:27 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:16/03/2018 08:30

16:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

19:42 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 22:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

Last Updated:16/03/2018 14:23

12:18 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 14:00 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:17/03/2018 03:27

13:18 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 16:04 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:17/03/2018 03:27

14:50 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 16:38 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:17/03/2018 03:27

16:35 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 19:37 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:17/03/2018 03:27

17:18 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 19:44 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:17/03/2018 03:27

20:04 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 22:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:17/03/2018 03:27

What is the cancellation rate for the 16:22 since the turn of the year?  At a guess I’d say it must be around 60% of the time.  Is there a worse train in the country currently?

18:18 London Paddington to Hereford due 21:35 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Additional Information
Customers are advised to travel on the next available train service.
Last Updated:17/03/2018 14:58

... the train stopped at Charlbury ...

The weather has wiped out the entire London bound morning peak service:

04:47 HFD:PAD cancelled
05:11 WOS:PAD started from Oxford
05:28 HFD:PAD cancelled
06:42 HFD:PAD cancelled
07:10 MIM:PAD cancelled
08:25 WOF:PAD cancelled
09:50 MIM:PAD will be started from Reading

Seems a little dramatic given yesterday's service seemed to run without too much disruption.

(edit to add 09:50 to list)

Yesterday's service (Sunday March 18) had several trains cancelled between Paddington and Reading, but only one train cancelled between Oxford and Worcester (the 14:42 Paddington - Hereford, which started at Shrub Hill).

According to RTT, several of this morning's cancellations are "due to high winds".

19:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 22:52 will be cancelled.
This is due to severe weather.
Last Updated:19/03/2018 18:13

21:48 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 00:15 will be cancelled.
This is due to severe weather.
Last Updated:19/03/2018 18:13

The evening is also suffering from the severe weather:

The 21:48 is the last train to Worcester. It forms the first train out of Shrub Hill in the morning, at 05:11.

04:47 Hereford to London Paddington due 07:52 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

15:14 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to urgent repairs to the track.

Last Updated:22/03/2018 14:59

Cancellations to services between Worcester Shrub Hill and Hereford

Due to urgent repairs to the track between Worcester Shrub Hill and Hereford all lines are blocked.

Train services running through these stations may be cancelled. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

17:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 20:26 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.

18:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 21:33 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.

19:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 22:52 will be cancelled.

Alterations to services between Worcester Shrub Hill and Hereford

Due to urgent repairs to the track between Ledbury and Hereford all lines are closed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day. Train services between Worcester Shrub Hill and Hereford have been suspended. Malvern Link, Great Malvern, Colwall, Ledbury and Hereford will not be served.

Customer Advice
Great Western Railway services will predominantly start/terminate at Worcester Shrub Hill. Selected GWR services will however work through to Worcester Foregate Street, Malvern Link and Great Malvern.

West Midlands Trains services will start/terminate at Ledbury.

Replacement Road Transport (coaches) will operate between Hereford and Worcester Stations calling all stations.

Ticket acceptance has been agreed with the following train operators to help customers complete their journeys via alternative routes:
Arriva Trains Wales are conveying passengers between Hereford and Newport South Wales in both directions until further notice.
CrossCountry are conveying passengers between Birmingham New Street and Reading in both directions until further notice.
Virgin Trains West Coast are conveying passengers between Birmingham New Street and London Euston in both directions until further notice.
West Midlands Railway are conveying passengers between Ledbury and Birmingham New Street in both directions until further notice.

Further Information
An update will follow within the next 2 hours.
Last Updated:23/03/2018 04:02

18:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 21:33 will be terminated at Reading.

This is due to a fault on this train.

08:43 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 11:37 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

09:18 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 11:47 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

10:45 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 13:38 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

12:06 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 14:37 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

17:18 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 19:44 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

08:00 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 10:54 will no longer call at Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to train crew being delayed.
Last Updated:25/03/2018 10:39

08:42 London Paddington to Hereford due 11:57 will call additionally at Hanborough and Honeybourne.
This is due to the train making extra stops because a train was cancelled.
Last Updated:25/03/2018 09:55

19:42 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 22:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Last Updated:25/03/2018 13:42

04:47 Hereford to London Paddington due 07:52 will call additionally at Honeybourne.
It has been delayed at Worcester Foregate Street and is now 20 minutes late (and 38 late by Oxford).
This is due to the train making extra stops because of service disruption.

05:11 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 07:27 will be diverted between Worcester Shrub Hill and Reading.
It will no longer call at Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough, Oxford and Maidenhead.
It has been previously delayed and is now expected to be 20 minutes late from Reading.
This is due to train crew being delayed.

07:10 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 08:51 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to train crew being delayed.

I too am getting wound up, why have we not got an emergency timetable, if that had been in place in January , at least the line would have not lost droves of passengers , as they would have certainty.
Clearly after 3 months , we now know a full timetable is not possible .

CALLS to dual the train tracks on the Cotswold Line ahead of thousands of new homes in West Oxfordshire could be put to the Government.

A motion will be put to Oxfordshire County Council today for its leader to urge the Transport Minister to upgrade the line which links Oxford with Long Hanborough, Charlbury and Kingham.

In putting forward the motion county councillor for Charlbury, Liz Leffman, said passenger numbers were declining due to regular delays and cancellations.

With just the one track, any broken down train or delay has a knock-on effect.

She said since Oxford Parkway opened numbers at Charlbury dropped ten per cent.

06:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 09:37 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcester Foregate Street, Malvern Link and Great Malvern.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

09:54 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 12:28 will be started from Oxford.

Last Updated:28/03/2018 03:26

09:50 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 11:30 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Reading, Slough and London Paddington.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.

Last Updated:28/03/2018 10:09

It's amazing that the Right Honourable Nigel Huddleston, the Right Honourable Geoffrey Clifton Brown etc. haven't raised the issue in the House. The closest they get is the former suggesting that his constituents contribute to the GWR franchise consultation. https://www.nigelhuddleston.com/news/government-launches-consultation-great-western-rail-franchise

I have secured a Westminster Hall debate on “The Future of West Oxfordshire Rail Services (Upgrades to the Cotswold Line)” here in Parliament.  During this debate, I will highlight the points you have raised with me [about the service] and bring them before the Transport Minister, outlining the improvements to rail services on the Cotswold Line that we want to see, and making clear the strength of feeling around this issue.

I am therefore writing to invite you to Parliament to attend this debate, which will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, 28th March [today!] in Westminster Hall from 16:30 – 17:30.

From a Robert Courts email yesterday -

13:22 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 15:41 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
It has been previously delayed, will be further delayed at Evesham and is expected to be 20 minutes late.
This is due to a fault on this train which is now fixed.
Last Updated:28/03/2018 14:53

15:51 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 17:59 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a fault on this train which is now fixed.
Last Updated:28/03/2018 14:51

17:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 20:26 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:28/03/2018 14:24

21:51 Hereford to Worcester Shrub Hill due 22:39 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:28/03/2018 14:24

Shouldn’t the last message say “2151 Hereford to Paddington will start from Worcester Shrub Hill. This service will not serve Hereford, Ledbury, Great Malvern, Malvern Link and Worcester Foregate Street”. As it is it can be misunderstood quite easily.

Planned engineering work will take place between London Paddington and Worcester Shrub Hill, and between Hereford and Worcester Shrub Hill on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 21:45, Tuesday 27 March 2018 to 01:00, Friday 30 March 2018.

The 2151 Hereford to London Paddington service will terminate at Worcester Shrub Hill.

I understand what you say about the engineering works but is there no replacement service of any kind to cover?.... I cannot help feeling it is written in such a way to confuse and avoid providing cover.

Notice the scheduled -13 minute connection at Oxford between the arrival from Worcester and the departure to London.

06:42 Hereford to London Paddington due 09:46 will be diverted between Worcester Shrub Hill and Reading.
It will no longer call at Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough and Oxford but will call additionally at Cheltenham Spa.
It has been previously delayed, is being further delayed between Worcester Shrub Hill and Reading and is now expected to be 68 minutes late.
This is due to train crew being delayed.

Last Updated:29/03/2018 07:43

1W02 1722 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill
This service was cancelled between Worcester Shrub Hill and Hereford due to an issue with the train crew (TG).

This service was cancelled throughout due to an issue with the train crew (TG)

15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 17:26 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh.
It has been delayed at London Paddington and is now 20 minutes late.
This is due to a broken down train.

Last Updated:04/04/2018 16:50

Tuesday 3 April

04:47 Hereford to Paddington

18:34 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:29 will be terminated at Reading.
It will no longer call at Pershore, Honeybourne, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough, Slough and London Paddington.
It has been delayed at Great Malvern and is now 31 minutes late.
This is due to a fault on this train.

14:42 London Paddington to Hereford due 17:56 will be reinstated.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:08/04/2018 10:06

18:30 Hereford to London Paddington due 22:13 will be reinstated.
It will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
[...]
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.
Last Updated:08/04/2018 09:58

21:42 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 00:16 will be started from Reading.
[...]
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:08/04/2018 06:04

The last pair of these leaves a three-hour gap towards London in the late afternoon, with nothing out of Worcester between 17:28 and 20:31.

Evesham Journal reports ...

Mid-Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston calls for government intervention over 'significant deterioration' to Great Western Railways train services

http://www.eveshamjournal.co.uk/news/evesham/16128718.MP_calls_for_government_intervention_over___39_significant_deterioration__39__to_train_services/ (http://www.eveshamjournal.co.uk/news/evesham/16128718.MP_calls_for_government_intervention_over___39_significant_deterioration__39__to_train_services/)

About time too.  Who knows if it make any difference?  I suspect not.

15:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 17:58 was terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcester Foregate Street, Malvern Link and Great Malvern.
This is due to train crew being delayed.

Last Updated:10/04/2018 16:28

15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 17:26 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh.
This is due to a safety inspection of the track.

Additional Information
Following an earlier safety inspection of the track at Moreton-in-Marsh; restrictions have been put in place that currently prevent us from reversing certain types of trains at Moreton-in-Marsh. Rectification works are underway, but due to this issue the 15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh and return 17:38 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington will today terminate and start from Oxford.

Last Updated:11/04/2018 14:58

15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 17:26 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh.
This is due to a safety inspection of the track.

Additional Information
Following an earlier safety inspection of the track at Moreton-in-Marsh; restrictions have been put in place that currently prevent us from reversing certain types of trains at Moreton-in-Marsh. Rectification works are underway, but due to this issue the 15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh and return 17:38 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington services will today terminate and start from Oxford. They are also likely to terminate/start from Oxford tomorrow, Friday 13th April 2018.

Last Updated:12/04/2018 14:21

17:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 20:26 has been cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

Last Updated:13/04/2018 17:38

17.52 appears to be a 3-coach Turbo west of Oxford. Currently waiting on Oxford P4 for it to arrive. 16 coaches down to 3 is not going to be pretty.

Edit: Yup... extremely cosy. A pair of lovely Chiltern 168s have just drawn into P3 to taunt us...

21:51 Hereford to London Paddington due 01:18 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will no longer call at Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern and Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.
Additional Information
Road Transport (minibus) is being sourced to operate between Hereford and Worcester Shrub Hill.
Last Updated:13/04/2018 18:40

12:18 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 14:00 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

14:50 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 16:38 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

GWR don't believe that there are any passengers on their trains:

One of many services that will be much better when operated by a 5-car IET.  Or even a Class 153.  ;)

17:18 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 19:44 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:14/04/2018 12:36

20:04 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 22:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:14/04/2018 12:36

Until you find what services that same set of carriages operates in its "diagram" early in the day.

It's incredibly difficult to get overall seat occupancy during the day over 30% ... even though there is so much talk of overcrowding!

This service was cancelled throughout due to an issue with the train crew (TG)

16:35 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 19:37 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

Last Updated:14/04/2018 13:47

15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 17:26 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh.
This is due to a problem currently under investigation.

Last Updated:16/04/2018 15:08

Hopefully not the same reason as last week...

I bet it is!  Also, the very busy 15:22 PAD-GMV is only a 2-car Turbo, vice a 3-car one (which is a medium term vice 5-car IET anyway!).

In which case a whole week of cancellations beckons. This service is now running the 16:22 Paddington to Great Malvern close in terms of cancellations along the Cotswold Line.

...it is likely to be cancelled all week due to a problem currently under investigation. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

07:10 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 08:51 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system.

09:50 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 11:30 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to urgent repairs to the track earlier today.

If it's still last week's issue, it was that GWR are unable to turn HSTs around at Moreton-in-Marsh. That being the case, is a Turbo substitution possible?

Good news on the 15:52 Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh today - it's going to be a five coach IET.

05:47 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 08:15 was terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Slough, Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.
It has been delayed at London Paddington and is now 34 minutes late.
This is due to a fault on this train.

08:25 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 10:57 will be started from Oxford.

05:47 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 08:15 was terminated at Reading.
This is due to a fault on this train.

08:25 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 10:57 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

After the usual weekend cancellations (on how many Saturdays recently has the 0843 GMV:PAD actually been operated?), back to the working week:

How does my daughter's friend stand as to compensation for the "service" she didn't receive?

Not confirmed yet but the 15:52 PAD:MIM is booked as an HST today and, according to GWR's social media team, "it's likely that this won't go beyond Oxford today".

Confirmed now.........

15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-In-Marsh due 17:26


15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 17:26 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh.
This is due to a safety inspection of the track.

it is likely it won't run [beyond Oxford] but it depends on what crew are available closer to the time.

Compensation under the GWR passenger charter is based on the lateness arriving at the ultimate destination.

Today's 15:52 PAD:MIM update from GWR's social media team:


So expect the cancellation beyond Oxford to be announced sometime after 3pm.

05:47 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 08:15 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.

08:25 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 10:57 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.

It's going to terminate at Oxford all this week. We will try and source an IET set next week, not possible at the moment because of Newbury works

And here's the update on the 15:52 Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh service.

The 1650 Oxford to Moreton In Marsh will operate today and tomorrow due to extra staff onboard the train so they won't have to reserve the train... [but] on Friday it will not operate between Oxford and MIM.

05:47 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 08:15 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

08:25 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 10:57 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 17:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 17:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Despite "GWR"'s statements about trying harder, nothing seems to be improving for the Cotswold and Hereford route.

15:51 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 17:59
15:51 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 17:59 will call additionally at Pershore.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:27/04/2018 15:45

21:28 Worcester Shrub Hill to Hanborough due 22:32 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

22:04 Hanborough to Great Malvern due 23:27 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

23:40 Hanborough to Worcester Shrub Hill due 00:45 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

today it will terminate at Oxford from next week we are sourcing an extra driver to ensure it can go through to and reverse at Moreton

This service was cancelled between Moreton-in-Marsh and Oxford due to a problem at the depot (MU)

Here's the outlook for the 15:52 PAD:MIM this week. Not good news.

17:35 Maidenhead to Hereford due 20:26 will be reinstated.
It will be started from Reading and terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Maidenhead, Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcester Foregate Street, Malvern Link, Great Malvern, Colwall, Ledbury and Hereford.
This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 5. First class reduced. Catering is not available. There are no reservations on this service. Toilet facilities are reduced.
Last Updated:07/05/2018 16:44

15:21 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 17:58 will be started from Reading.
It will no longer call at London Paddington and Slough.
This is due to a speed restriction because of high track temperatures.

15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 17:26 will be started from Reading.
It will no longer call at London Paddington and Slough.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 8.

Another rash of Slough stops being omitted from Cotswold Line services today.  For reasons of speed restriction.  Unless I've missed something, it seems to be only in the Up direction today.

Cancellations to services at Oxford
Following a fault with the signalling system at Oxford all lines have now reopened.
Train services running through this station are returning to normal but some services may still be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 10:00 11/05.

This is due to a fault with the on train signalling system earlier today.
Last Updated:11/05/2018 08:27[/i]

On train signalling system? Have we gone European?
Thought on train signalling was common in Europe but would be introduced in the UK 'drekly'.

15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 17:26 was terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh.
This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.
Last Updated:14/05/2018 16:55

17:38 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 19:07 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Moreton-in-Marsh.
This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.

04:47 Hereford to London Paddington due 07:54 has been delayed at Worcester Foregate Street and is now 23 minutes late.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

05:11 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 07:27 will no longer call at Kingham, Hanborough and Maidenhead.
It has been delayed at Worcester Shrub Hill and is now 34 minutes late.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

07:10 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 08:54 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to congestion.

09:50 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 11:30 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Reading, Slough and London Paddington.
This is due to a speed restriction over defective track.

15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 17:26 was terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh.
This is due to urgent repairs to the track.
Last Updated:15/05/2018 16:49

17:38 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 19:07 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Moreton-in-Marsh.

15:52 London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh due 17:26 was terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh.
This is due to a fault with the signalling system earlier today.
Last Updated:16/05/2018 16:54

17:38 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 19:07 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Moreton-in-Marsh.

05:47 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 08:15 will be terminated at Oxford.
It has been delayed at Didcot Parkway and is now 30 minutes late.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.


08:25 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 10:57 will be started from Oxford.

Last Updated:18/05/2018 07:09

08:02 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 10:54 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

08:34 London Paddington to Hereford due 11:51 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

11:13 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 14:10 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

12:34 London Paddington to Hereford due 15:55 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

13:32 Hereford to London Paddington due 17:11 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

16:34 Hereford to London Paddington due 20:08 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

18:29 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:05 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will no longer call at Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough, Oxford, Reading, Slough and London Paddington.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

20:22 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 22:57 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

06:18 London Paddington to Evesham due 08:19 will be cancelled.
09:18 London Paddington to Evesham due 11:19 will be cancelled.
09:22 Evesham to London Paddington due 11:30 will be cancelled.
12:28 Evesham to London Paddington due 14:30 will be cancelled.

15:28 Evesham to London Paddington due 17:30
16:18 London Paddington to Evesham due 18:23
17:18 London Paddington to Evesham due 19:19
17:25 Evesham to London Paddington due 19:30
18:18 London Paddington to Evesham due 20:23
21:36 Evesham to London Paddington due 23:51

11:25 Evesham - Paddington was also restored, starting from Moreton. Again, on RTT as "This service was cancelled between Evesham and Moreton-in-Marsh due to an error having been made (OC)."

10:22 London Paddington to Evesham due 12:21 was terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne and Evesham.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

11:22 London Paddington to Evesham due 13:21 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne and Evesham.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.

12:21 London Paddington to Evesham due 14:19 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at London Paddington, Slough and Reading.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.

17:22 London Paddington to Evesham due 19:14 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at London Paddington and Reading.
This is due to a shortage of train drivers.