Great Western Coffee Shop

Last night into Plymouth 1C94 was 32 mins late, arriving at 2312, with 80+ passengers for Cornwall.
2C54 wasn’t held, due to depart at 2245, but ran late leaving Plymouth at 2306. I cant fathom why this service wasn’t held another few minutes saving so much inconvenience. If it hadn’t departed 21 late already I’d understand not holding it 30 mins.

A single 53 seater coach was sourced for all stops between Bodmin and Truro. With passengers for all stops between Plymouth and Liskeard sent by taxi.

2C54 reached Truro 17 late at 0016. The replacement coach arrived Truro at about 0130.

For the sake of holding 2C54 less than another 10 mins it’s cost GWR the cost of the coach call out, another 30 or so passengers taxi fares, around 50 passengers 90 mins late into Truro and the relevant compensation claims, instead of the potential for less than 30 mins late. One passenger was over carried and dropped back at Bodmin Parkway at 0230 as she fell asleep and missed it on the way down.
How van management be allowed to run up such a (probably) unnecessary and expense and avoidable if they’d held 2C54 less than another 10 minutes.

The coach passengers were all commenting how good the communication from 1C94 train manager was.

I was on the train between Swindon and Newton Abbot and can confirm

a) the train was very busy
b) the TM was indeed excellent

He announced the coaches had been laid on shortly after we left Westbury so I suspect having organised them it was easier to stick with the plan.

The train was 24 minutes late by Reading and then was held outside Swindon while another service cleared the platform.   It then had to wait at Thingley for the 16:00 from Penzance to clear the single line through Melksham.

At Cogload Junction a Cross Country was held for a couple of minutes so it could follow 1C94 into Taunton and provide a connection for passengers for Totnes.

Being the last train, maybe the driver was short on driving hours? But why in that case, it didn't leave on time, if the coach was already organised?

Just to add it was two coaches.   One for Liskeard to St Austell and one for stations beyond to Penzance.  There were taxis for Saltash and St Germans.

Didn't see the other one. Tamar Coaches did Bodmin to Truro ;) Taxis did Saltash, St Germans and Liskeard. Seen here at Truro


(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/959/27316899207_d989429e8d_z.jpg)

and Bodmin


(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/907/27316891047_f2b9f2b4e0_z.jpg)

 I suspect the crew's hours were the issue, but it was held long enough to make the connection from the late train from Glasgow which arrived just after 11pm

Or possibly signal boxes being closed for the night or an engineering possession needing to be taken?

The boxes in Cornwall have always been 24/7 except for St.Erth, which is Early/Lates only.  Suspect there might have been an engineering possession booked or as stated above, drivers/guards hours at risk.