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Title: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Lee on March 04, 2008, 16:23:52 I try my best to get out and take a closer look at the issues that might be of interest to members/site visitors. In this topic, I will post some of the photos of my travels, with the aim of showing both good and bad.
For photos from previous months, click on the link below. http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=1592.msg10419#msg10419 01/03/2008 : Patchway. http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/010308patchway1.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/010308patchway5.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/010308patchway6.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/010308patchway7.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/010308patchway8.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/010308patchway9.jpg Class 150/2 unit at Severn Beach. http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/010308sbeach150.jpg Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Lee on March 04, 2008, 16:32:35 02/03/2008 :
Breakfast at the Kings Head, Salisbury. http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308salbreakfast.jpg Redbridge (station buildings demolition currently in progress.) http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308redbridge1.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308redbridge2.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308redbridge3.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308redbridge4.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308redbridge5.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308redbridge6.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308redbridge7.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308redbridge8.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308redbridge9.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308redbridge10.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308redbridge11.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308redbridge12.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308redbridge13.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308redbridge14.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308redbridge15.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308redbridge16.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308redbridge17.jpg Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: swlines on March 04, 2008, 16:37:26 Interestingly, at Redbridge, SWT have given up putting up PIS screens as they normally get stolen.
Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Lee on March 04, 2008, 16:43:13 02/03/2008 :
4-coach Transpennine/Refurbished Class 158 combo at Salisbury (1115 Cardiff-Portsmouth service.) http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308sal158combo.jpg Class 153369 in Looe line livery (photo taken at Bristol Temple Meads.) http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308looe153.jpg Weston-super-Mare. http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308wsm1.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308wsm2.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308wsm3.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308wsm4.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308wsm5.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308wsm6.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308wsm7.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308wsm8.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308wsm9.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308wsm10.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308wsm11.jpg Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Lee on March 04, 2008, 16:57:37 02/03/2008 :
Bedminster. http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308bedminster1.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308bedminster2.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308bedminster3.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308bedminster4.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308bedminster5.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308bedminster6.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308bedminster7.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308bedminster8.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308bedminster9.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308bedminster10.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308bedminster11.jpg Worle. http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308worle1.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308worle2.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308worle4.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308worle5.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308worle6.jpg Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Lee on March 04, 2008, 17:03:18 02/03/2008 :
Parson Street. http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308pstreet1.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308pstreet2.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308pstreet3.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308pstreet4.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308pstreet5.jpg Yatton. http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308yatton1.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308yatton2.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/020308yatton3.jpg Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on March 04, 2008, 23:31:45 Wot, no Nailsea? :o
Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Lee on March 05, 2008, 07:47:53 Wot, no Nailsea? :o Not deliberate, Chris ;D To be honest, I looked at the timetable and tried to fit in as many stations on the Bristol-Weston line as possible in the time I had available. I also missed out Weston Milton, and have nothing against that station either.... If you get the chance (I know you are busy) perhaps you could go down and do a "My Local Station" piece for us? Indeed, maybe other forum members could consider doing the same elsewhere? Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Phil on March 05, 2008, 17:26:12 If you get the chance (I know you are busy) perhaps you could go down and do a "My Local Station" piece for us? Indeed, maybe other forum members could consider doing the same elsewhere? I'm happy to incorporate any such submissions into the appropriate General Information section in the "Journey by Journey" forums, if people would like to send them to me. That whole area is undergoing a slow process of regeneration. No plans to install barriers though, you'll be pleased to hear. Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: John R on March 05, 2008, 18:33:23 Wot, no Nailsea? :o Not deliberate, Chris ;D Maybe Lee asked the Town Council if there's a station for Nailsea. ;D Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on March 07, 2008, 00:44:07 Wot, no Nailsea? :o Not deliberate, Chris ;D Maybe Lee asked the Town Council if there's a station for Nailsea. ;D Good point, John! It seems the historic confusion over the identity of our local station continues. The station is actually located (just) within the parish of Backwell, but it was opened in 1841 as Nailsea, renamed Nailsea and Backwell in 1905, went back to Nailsea in 1974, and then became Nailsea and Backwell again some time later! ??? Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Lee on March 07, 2008, 01:03:02 Wot, no Nailsea? :o Not deliberate, Chris ;D Maybe Lee asked the Town Council if there's a station for Nailsea. ;D Good point, John! It seems the historic confusion over the identity of our local station continues. The station is actually located (just) within the parish of Backwell, but it was opened in 1841 as Nailsea, renamed Nailsea and Backwell in 1905, went back to Nailsea in 1974, and then became Nailsea and Backwell again some time later! ??? Quote from the link below : http://www.nailseatowncouncil.gov.uk/infopage.asp?infoid=596 Quote from: Nailsea Town Council Website Nailsea benefits from a beautiful rural location yet is only eight miles from the city centre of Bristol. From Nailsea and Backwell railway station Bristol is only a ten minute train ride away and regular trains directly link Nailsea with London and the West Country. So they do know it exists then ;D Unfortunately, the ever-reliable "Railways In Avon - A Short History Of Their Development And Decline" doesnt state when the station became Nailsea & Backwell again, but it was called that in 1983, if that's any help. Also, the date that the station first became unstaffed (obviously we know it has been staffed since) was 23/09/1968. Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on March 07, 2008, 01:25:49 Brilliant - thanks, Lee!
I shall indeed do a 'my local station' piece and send it to Phil to add to the appropriate Journey by Journey topic. John R, as another local commuter, do you have any material we could perhaps combine, by any chance? C. :D Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: John R on March 07, 2008, 19:07:19 Most of my pictures of Nailsea station have kettles in them.
But you might like to know that in 1970 services to Bristol left at:- 0649,0710,0751,0827,1338,1633,1730,1934,2023 and from Bristol at:- 0723,1245,1420,1645,1715,1745,1820,1930. On Sundays Nailsea was closed, although trains did stop at Bedminster and Parson St! So we don't have it too bad these days do we! Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on March 08, 2008, 00:09:02 Ah, yes, ... the good old days ... real trains ... buildings ... staff ...!
http://www.bristol-rail.co.uk/images/nailsea30.jpg ;D Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: John R on March 08, 2008, 08:28:01 Just 5 hours without a train. >:(
Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on March 08, 2008, 13:15:16 Rather similar to ... er, just taking an example, completely at random ... Melksham? ::) ;D
Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Lee on March 08, 2008, 13:48:20 Just 5 hours without a train. >:( Rather similar to ... er, just taking an example, completely at random ... Melksham? ::) ;D Chalk & cheese, Chris..... Melksham has a twelve and a half hour gap in services towards both Swindon and Westbury ::) ;D Interesting to note that Nailsea had no late evening services back then, just like Melksham now. Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: vacman on March 08, 2008, 14:54:44 Newquay has 5hrs 33mins between trains in the afternoon! I believe Newquay is infact bigger than Melksham?
Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: grahame on March 08, 2008, 17:47:35 Newquay has 5hrs 33mins between trains in the afternoon! I believe Newquay is infact bigger than Melksham? Very interesting comparison. Wikipedia says of Newquay: According to the 2001 census it had a permanent population of 19,423 and The town has a resident population of around 22,000 but this can increase to 100,000 or more in the summer. And Of Melksham: The 2001 UK census cited Melksham as having 20,000 inhabitants, including sizeable environs such as Bowerhill and Berryfield. And I will add Melksham has grown since 2001, and a figure of 23500 (+-500) is probably correct at the present day - to compare to the 22,000 (winter) and 100,000 (Summer) of Newquay. We do have an excellent hotel (http://www.wellhousemanor.co.uk) in Melksham, but wouldn't pretend to be able to house anywhere like the Newquay numbers. On - and, Lee - if you look at the gap in service times overnight, it's only a gap of eleven and a half hours ;D Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Lee on March 08, 2008, 17:50:31 Newquay has 5hrs 33mins between trains in the afternoon! I believe Newquay is infact bigger than Melksham? I dont condone the fact that Newquay has a long gap between trains either, although this is half the length of the daytime gap at Melksham. Good to hear from you earlier that this is being addressed though : summer timetable is in the system now, Newquay gets an afternoon train at last! 1559 Par-Nqy and 1733 Nqy-Par. Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: devon_metro on March 08, 2008, 17:53:58 Meanwhile AXCs timetable to Paignton on saturdays is looking very poor, unless of course you live in Manchester ::)
Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Lee on March 08, 2008, 19:00:15 Other examples of long service gaps in the FGW area :
Ascott-under-Wychwood, Combe and Finstock - (but at least they have a proper peak service.) Pilning - (weekly service.) Here, for your delectation, are some examples of questionable train services from further afield : Lakenheath - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakenheath_railway_station Shippea Hill - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shippea_Hill_railway_station Spooner Row - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spooner_Row_railway_station Swineshead - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swineshead_railway_station Gainsborough Central - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gainsborough_Central_railway_station Kirton Lindsey - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirton_Lindsey_railway_station Brigg - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigg_railway_station Reddish South - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reddish_South_railway_station Denton - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denton_railway_station Teesside Airport - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teesside_Airport_railway_station Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: vacman on March 08, 2008, 19:19:12 Sorry Graham, wasn't implying that Melksham wasn't worthy of a decent service, was just making a comparison, what annoys me about the Newquay service is that it is one of those places that people would use the train if there was a half decent service, whereas Looe on the other hand gets a near hourly service all year round and yet hardly anybody uses it! when FGW did the half price promo last month, loads of people were travelling from Newquay to Plymouth on a saturday.
Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Lee on March 09, 2008, 01:45:03 Sorry Graham, wasn't implying that Melksham wasn't worthy of a decent service, was just making a comparison, what annoys me about the Newquay service is that it is one of those places that people would use the train if there was a half decent service, whereas Looe on the other hand gets a near hourly service all year round and yet hardly anybody uses it! when FGW did the half price promo last month, loads of people were travelling from Newquay to Plymouth on a saturday. I seem to recall that we once had a conversation related to this..... Not good Smokey! If anything should be axed, it should be Looe! I think there is potential to do more to boost passenger numbers on the Looe line. The proposed Park & Ride scheme is one example, if set up in an appropriate manner (yes I have read the reservations of forum members.) Quote from Insider (link below) : http://indefenceoffirstgreatwestern.blogspot.com/2007/10/im-back.html "I've been trying to get a word with Julian Crow about this park and ride idea, although I haven't been able to get hold of him lately. I do know, however, that it is something that people have been asking for and it is likely to be very useful as we are trying to promote usage on the Looe line. I'll try and bring you more details when I have them." It should also be noted that the Looe line is well used in the summer months. It would be interesting to hear Richard B's view on that, as he had a row with Alistair Darling which resulted in the claim (by Richard B) that the guard couldnt get down the Looe train to sell tickets because it was so packed in summer. View noted. I have now had time to seek out the RichardB/Alistair Darling disagreement. Quotes from a Times article (17/03/2006, link below) : http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2090057,00.html Quote Alistair Darling, the Transport Secretary, admitted that he was partly responsible for the West Country cuts. He said: ^I am not seeking to avoid blame. We cannot be in the business of carting fresh air round the country. If we are terrified to go near any service for fear of flak, then sooner or later we will come a cropper.^ Mr Darling said that the Liskeard-to-Looe branch line, in Cornwall, which is losing five of its thirteen daily services, had attracted an average of only nine passengers a train in the twelve months to last April. But the Devon and Cornwall Community Rail Partnership said that Mr Darling was using misleading figures based only on tickets sold. Richard Burningham, the partnership^s manager, said: ^Trains on the Looe branch are so crowded in summer that the conductor cannot get down the aisle to sell tickets.^ Interestingly, RichardB seems to have partly won the argument. Quote from the DfT Review of Community Rail Development Strategy (link below.) http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/strategyfinance/strategy/community/revcomrail?page=3#a1007 Quote 2.35 The Looe Valley story is less happy and demonstrates how increases to the number of trains do not guarantee improved patronage. The timetable on this line was changed in Summer 2004 to provide an hourly service. Initially this was followed by a drop in patronage ^ though this has been reversed in Summer 2006. The initial drop was believed to be partly due to changes in the local bus services which can provide access to the town centres of Looe and Liskeard and which are faster than the train service. Although this was disappointing, the trains are still often full during the summer ^ on a typical day in the summer around 600 journeys are made on the branch. Further work is being done on increasing capacity when the trains are full and the timetable is being re-focused on timetabled connections rather than more frequent services. It's the same story on a lot of summer services with reagards to revenue collection, the hourly service on the Looe branch didn't really work because it was clock face and was timetabled so that it missed some mainline connections by about 2 minutes sometimes! I certainly don't agree with the earlier post by someone saying that Looe should be shut! It may not be the busiest branch but it is still used and there is usually a handfull of people on each daytime service. As for Alastair Darling, well, I couldn't possibly say what I think of him here because it would be a personal attack! ;) There you go, that should save a lot of time. Look on the bright side, at least we agreed on Alistair Darling ;D I should also point out to forum readers that Btline did clarify his earlier remark.... It's the same story on a lot of summer services with reagards to revenue collection, the hourly service on the Looe branch didn't really work because it was clock face and was timetabled so that it missed some mainline connections by about 2 minutes sometimes! I certainly don't agree with the earlier post by someone saying that Looe should be shut! It may not be the busiest branch but it is still used and there is usually a handfull of people on each daytime service. As for Alastair Darling, well, I couldn't possibly say what I think of him here because it would be a personal attack! ;) Please let me clarify: I do not want Looe to be shut!!!!!!!! I was mearly saying that if Totnes and Whitby should be shut, then Looe should be anyway. I hope it does not happen! Sorry for misunderstandings! Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Lee on April 12, 2008, 21:12:05 28/03/2008 :
Refreshed Class 158 2-coach unit at Trowbridge. http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/280308trow.jpg 29/03/2008 : Westbury station improvements. http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/290308westbury1.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/290308westbury2.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/290308westbury3.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/290308westbury4.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/290308westbury5.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/290308westbury6.jpg http://www.raildocuments.org.uk/mar08photos/290308westbury7.jpg Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: vacman on April 12, 2008, 21:21:32 Other examples of long service gaps in the FGW area : You missed Melksham!Ascott-under-Wychwood, Combe and Finstock - (but at least they have a proper peak service.) Pilning - (weekly service.) Here, for your delectation, are some examples of questionable train services from further afield : Lakenheath - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakenheath_railway_station Shippea Hill - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shippea_Hill_railway_station Spooner Row - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spooner_Row_railway_station Swineshead - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swineshead_railway_station Gainsborough Central - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gainsborough_Central_railway_station Kirton Lindsey - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirton_Lindsey_railway_station Brigg - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigg_railway_station Reddish South - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reddish_South_railway_station Denton - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denton_railway_station Teesside Airport - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teesside_Airport_railway_station Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on April 12, 2008, 21:28:29 To be fair: "Other examples" - as well as Melksham!
Glad to see some of the 'scenic' lines getting better services this summer, though, vacman! ;) :D ;D Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: devon_metro on April 12, 2008, 21:39:18 Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on April 12, 2008, 21:45:22 Heaven may well forbid it, d_m - but FGW do still miss Melksham, most of the time! ;D
Title: Re: Fletcher On Tour - March 2008 Post by: Lee on April 12, 2008, 21:53:50 To be fair: "Other examples" - as well as Melksham! Glad to see some of the 'scenic' lines getting better services this summer, though, vacman! ;) :D ;D Indeed. Here are the context quotes from earlier in the topic, including one from your good self, vacman ;D : Newquay has 5hrs 33mins between trains in the afternoon! I believe Newquay is infact bigger than Melksham? I dont condone the fact that Newquay has a long gap between trains either, although this is half the length of the daytime gap at Melksham. Good to hear from you earlier that this is being addressed though : summer timetable is in the system now, Newquay gets an afternoon train at last! 1559 Par-Nqy and 1733 Nqy-Par. This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |