Great Western Coffee Shop

Coming back to this ... been rather too busy to post my thoughts so far - this is a generalisation from a thread elsewhere (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=20002.msg240753#msg240753)

Why might I take a significantly longer train journey to avoid engineering works rather than use a rail replacement bus for part of the journey?

1. To save the hassle of changing to / from a bus
2. Because I feel sick in a bus
3. The train is pleasant and I can get up and walk around
4. I can easily take my dogs on the train
5. I can take my cycle on the train
6. I can work better on a train than on a bus
7. I get to see some lovely new countryside
8. I know what I am getting with WiFi on the train
9. There are loos and perhaps refreshments on the train
10. The train won't (or shouldn't) get stuck in traffic jams
11. The train will be of relativley know quality and will likely have enough capacity

I know people with a bus interest who deliberately go out to catch rail replacement buses, as they can see older unusual coach body types turn up.

12. If I want or need to stretch my legs, I can walk along the corridor in a train.
13. The RRB might not have space for large luggage (ie. it might be a bus not a coach).

I can understand that if they know something special has been hired ...

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/specialbus1.jpg)

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/specialbus2.jpg)

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/specialbus3.jpg)

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/specialbus4.jpg)

There have been occasions where I have felt unsafe on a bus (both a FGW rail replacement and a National Express coach to Heathrow booked during rail engineering work) due to dreadfully low standards of driving.  Whilst there are no doubt some excellent coach drivers out there, the general standard is pretty low.  Rail replacement buses do seem to scrape the bottom of the barrel in terms of the quality of vehicles and drivers used.  I find First is especially bad for this being keen as they are to use vehicles and drivers from their generally poorly run bus companies.  

No 7 back to my old gripe you won't see much for all the trees and it seems now sold panel fencing.

Although in general I agree with you that I'd rather be on a train than a bus/coach especially with luggage.

I must admit I did Padd Swindon via Bicester Oxford for no other reason than to to get the new junction at Bicester the revamped   line to Oxford and the curve to Foxhall at Ddidcot.