Great Western Coffee Shop

Journey by Journey => London to Swindon and Bristol => Topic started by: grahame on February 24, 2019, 10:18:02



Title: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: grahame on February 24, 2019, 10:18:02
Special train - 23rd March 2019 - day trip Bristol, Bath and Chippenham to London.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bristol-and-bath-for-europe-train-to-london-march-tickets-57096658643

Quote
Approximate departure times: 8.30am from Bristol Temple Meads, 9am from Bath Spa, 9.20am from Chippenham. Return from London Paddington: 6pm. Exact scheduling times to be confirmed by GWR.

Intent of trip is to let you join "Put It To The People March" and on that basis I have some doubt as to whether it's wise or potentially inflammatory for me to post it on the forum.  HOWEVER .. it's a GWR special, all views welcome (on the forum if potentially not on the train), tickets on sale so I'm posting and putting my tin hat on!

Timing not yet showing on Real Time Trains. I really doubt half an hour from Bristol Temple Meads to Bath Spa!

Will this be the first private hire IET?


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: bobm on February 24, 2019, 11:28:23
Currently there are some advance tickets totalling £34.50 from and back to Bristol which (after the booking fee) work out cheaper than the special train.


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: phile on February 24, 2019, 12:19:00
Special train - 23rd March 2019 - day trip Bristol, Bath and Chippenham to London.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bristol-and-bath-for-europe-train-to-london-march-tickets-57096658643

Quote
Approximate departure times: 8.30am from Bristol Temple Meads, 9am from Bath Spa, 9.20am from Chippenham. Return from London Paddington: 6pm. Exact scheduling times to be confirmed by GWR.

Intent of trip is to let you join "Put It To The People March" and on that basis I have some doubt as to whether it's wise or potentially inflammatory for me to post it on the forum.  HOWEVER .. it's a GWR special, all views welcome (on the forum if potentially not on the train), tickets on sale so I'm posting and putting my tin hat on!

Timing not yet showing on Real Time Trains. I really doubt half an hour from Bristol Temple Meads to Bath Spa!

Will this be the first private hire IET?

Seems to be a march by Remoaners who are turning to underhand tactics to disrespect a democratic vote and stop Brexit.     At least, they haven't the honesty to openly state their intentions


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: JayMac on February 24, 2019, 12:37:58
Seems to me it's a group of people exercising a democratic right to protest being told a pack of lies and being sold a pup by a previous Conservative administration, and to protest at the succeeding administration's woefully poor management and planning for exiting the EU.


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: phile on February 24, 2019, 12:45:43
Seems to me it's a group of people exercising a democratic right to protest being told a pack of lies and being sold a pup by a previous Conservative administration, and to protest at the succeeding administration's woefully poor management and planning for exiting the EU.

Project Fear told a pack of lies also but Remoaners forget about that


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: grahame on February 24, 2019, 12:52:53
... I'm posting and putting my tin hat on!

Good to see the diverse views of our members ....


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: Red Squirrel on February 24, 2019, 14:16:26
Seems to be a march by Remoaners who are turning to underhand tactics to disrespect a democratic vote and stop Brexit.     At least, they haven't the honesty to openly state their intentions

Quite thinly concealed though, these intentions:

Quote
Bath for Europe and Bristol for Europe are excited to collaborate for the first time on a train service to London.

Join your fellow protesters on a special rail service to the Put It To The People March.




Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: GBM on February 24, 2019, 14:43:57
... I'm posting and putting my tin hat on!

Good to see the diverse views of our members ....
[/quote]

Only reflects the view across the country; which also reflects such a close % vote.
To an extent that also reflects MP's views as they are equally divided.

I do take the view that the vote was to leave, so leave we should.
However.... let's not start shelling each other  ;D ::)


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: patch38 on February 24, 2019, 17:18:54
... I'm posting and putting my tin hat on!

Good to see the diverse views of our members ....

Yes, I think tin is a very poor choice of headwear material. One should really be seen in a solar topee or a Panama...


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: Phantom on February 25, 2019, 10:43:21
Great, I'm travelling from Weston to London that day to watch rugby at West Ham's ground
Originally I was told it was a replacement bus between WSM and Temple Meads, and now the trains are going to be full of protesters too?


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: grahame on February 25, 2019, 11:33:43
Originally I was told it was a replacement bus between WSM and Temple Meads, and now the trains are going to be full of protesters too?

I think that the idea of a special train is that the protesters can all/largely travel together so that other trains may see little more than regular traffic?  Ancilliary services marketed / supplied with a main product (in this case a special train promoted with "come on the march") typically have a very good market penetration, so I suspect that the idea will work.


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: froome on March 11, 2019, 14:20:11
Originally I was told it was a replacement bus between WSM and Temple Meads, and now the trains are going to be full of protesters too?

I think that the idea of a special train is that the protesters can all/largely travel together so that other trains may see little more than regular traffic?  Ancilliary services marketed / supplied with a main product (in this case a special train promoted with "come on the march") typically have a very good market penetration, so I suspect that the idea will work.

I've been told that this train was fully booked within 4 days of tickets being made available.


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: grahame on March 11, 2019, 14:30:03
Originally I was told it was a replacement bus between WSM and Temple Meads, and now the trains are going to be full of protesters too?

I think that the idea of a special train is that the protesters can all/largely travel together so that other trains may see little more than regular traffic?  Ancilliary services marketed / supplied with a main product (in this case a special train promoted with "come on the march") typically have a very good market penetration, so I suspect that the idea will work.

I've been told that this train was fully booked within 4 days of tickets being made available.

I'm not seeing any "1Zxx" stuff on Real Time Trains ... looked at Chippenham and Bath Spa.   Any clues, anyone?


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: rogerw on March 11, 2019, 14:51:29
Specials often not shown until about 7 days before.  Likely to be coded as FRGT  rather than 1Zxx.  UK Railtours train to Cranmore on the same date still not posted although confirmed times have been published by the operator.


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: Gordon the Blue Engine on March 11, 2019, 16:55:52
Sorry, I don’t think this Forum is the place to promote Brexit views or events, either for or against.  Anymore than we should get on to fox hunting, badger culling, the NHS, immigration etc.  Let's keep this Forum for GWR related issues (or related light-hearted diversions) - which I think was a conclusion from our day at Westbury.


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: Red Squirrel on March 11, 2019, 17:08:43
I don't remember any such conclusion being reached. Personally I'd much prefer that there were no limitations on what can be discussed here, provided it is done politely.


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: grahame on March 11, 2019, 17:25:11
Sorry, I don’t think this Forum is the place to promote Brexit views or events, either for or against.  Anymore than we should get on to fox hunting, badger culling, the NHS, immigration etc.  Let's keep this Forum for GWR related issues (or related light-hearted and related diversions) - which I think was a conclusion from our day at Westbury.

I don't remember any such conclusion being reached. Personally I'd much prefer that there were no limitations on what can be discussed here, provided it is done politely.

And I'm coming at this from a third angle.

Unless I'm being blind, I don't see anywhere this thread has turned into a discussion about the right and wrongs of Brexit.  It's about a special train - perhaps the very first IET charter that GWR have run.   It's about crowd and passenger control and flows on the railway, and how and when special trains are flagged up.

I ask myself "what if the train was carrying people to a demonstration in favour of renaming Mars Bars to Venus Bars" or "what if the train was carrying Everton fans [Liverpool supporter here]" ... I suspect the discussion would have been just the same.

This is posted in "London to Swindon and Bristol" and it is about a train from Bristol to London (I think we allow versa vice, especially as it returns later in the day).  There are ... other ... places on the Coffee Shop where wider discussions including Brexit concerns may be politely discussed - for example the business of ensuring that enough spares are available for GWR trains if the whole thing goes messy, and whatever happens in the next month the impact on GWR of changes in passenger flows brought on by economic changes.


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: Gordon the Blue Engine on March 11, 2019, 18:06:56
I based my earlier comments on the following:

1       
Intent of trip is to let you join "Put It To The People March" and on that basis I have some doubt as to whether it's wise or potentially inflammatory for me to post it on the forum.  HOWEVER .. it's a GWR special, all views welcome (on the forum if potentially not on the train), tickets on sale so I'm posting and putting my tin hat on!


2      Draft Objectives from Westbury:
Objectives

The purposes of the Group are:
* providing a voice for the community
* promoting sustainable, healthy and accessible travel
* bringing communities together, supporting diversity & inclusion
* supporting social and economic development

To work towards these aims, the Group will operate an internet forum for discussion of matters relating to the Great Western Railway primarily, railways and public transport generally and connected topics.   (My bold)

However, I'm just expressing a view, quite relaxed about it really.



Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: grahame on March 11, 2019, 18:25:56

To work towards these aims, the Group will operate an internet forum for discussion of matters relating to the Great Western Railway primarily, railways and public transport generally and connected topics.   (My bold)

However, I'm just expressing a view, quite relaxed about it really.


My turn to bold ...  I wrote "Intent of the trip is to let you join " and not "Intent of the post is to let you join " ... and went on to talk about the rail aspect.    Very much aware I was sailing close to the wind.  "HOWEVER .. it's a GWR special ..."

Also relaxed ... and NOT travelling on that train.  My Facebook feed is filled far too much with views in all directions and I've other things to do that protest one way, protest the other way, or not protest because the folks who are doing it have it right.


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: Adelante_CCT on March 16, 2019, 09:13:07
Quote
I'm not seeing any "1Zxx" stuff on Real Time Trains ... looked at Chippenham and Bath Spa.   Any clues, anyone?

It's on now (http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/V09853/2019/03/23/advanced)

08:11 from Bristol, 08:26 from Bath, 08:41 from Chippenham

Returns from Paddington at 18:37 (http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/V09854/2019/03/23/advanced)


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: grahame on March 23, 2019, 07:15:05
Quote
Alterations to services between Bristol Temple Meads and Swindon

Due to a fault with the signalling system at Bath Spa fewer trains are able to run on all lines. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

Train services between Bristol Temple Meads and Swindon may be delayed or diverted.

Customer Advice

Owing to a problem with the signalling system there will be a reduction in the frequency of train services between Swindon and Bristol Temple Meads (in both directions) which are able to serve Chippenham and Bath Spa.

Would customers intending to join train services at Bath Spa should note that services will almost certainly be using the opposite platform to normal - customers are requested to ensure that they check the station information displays.

Interesting to see if the special is one of those diverted ...


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: bobm on March 23, 2019, 07:33:11
Problems with the signalling between Bathhampton and Bath Spa. 

Down trains are using the up line and up trains are using the down.

Just to add to the mix Cross Country services are being diverted along the Avon Valley today.


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: Phantom on March 23, 2019, 09:07:05
I'm on the 0900, we've been diverted via parkway.
No sign of the special train on the screens here


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: Adelante_CCT on March 23, 2019, 09:10:44
Special train ran normal route with minimal delay


I'm on the 0900, we've been diverted via parkway.
No sign of the special train on the screens here
I would hope not as it left at 08:11  :)


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: froome on March 23, 2019, 22:24:58
Problems with the signalling between Bathhampton and Bath Spa. 

Down trains are using the up line and up trains are using the down.

Just to add to the mix Cross Country services are being diverted along the Avon Valley today.

Yes this has been happening all day, with eastbound services stopping on the opposite platform to usual at Bath Spa, and westbound services stopping on the opposite to normal as well.

I don't actually understand why that happened. I can understand that there have been signalling problems all day. But why should this lead to having to use the wrong platforms for all services? I can understand services having to use the opposite platform because the other can't be used, but it obviously could be used and was being so. I can't understand how a signalling problem could cause trains to have to cross over - have the signals somehow got a mind of their own and decided to swap sides?

Confused of Bath.


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: stuving on March 23, 2019, 23:39:20
Problems with the signalling between Bathhampton and Bath Spa. 

Down trains are using the up line and up trains are using the down.

Just to add to the mix Cross Country services are being diverted along the Avon Valley today.

Yes this has been happening all day, with eastbound services stopping on the opposite platform to usual at Bath Spa, and westbound services stopping on the opposite to normal as well.

I don't actually understand why that happened. I can understand that there have been signalling problems all day. But why should this lead to having to use the wrong platforms for all services? I can understand services having to use the opposite platform because the other can't be used, but it obviously could be used and was being so. I can't understand how a signalling problem could cause trains to have to cross over - have the signals somehow got a mind of their own and decided to swap sides?

Confused of Bath.

My guess is that one of the crossovers at Bathampton or just west of Bath got stuck, or had to be clipped, so all trains had to cross over there. They then all have to cross three miles away as well, and the question arises what to do with the other direction. While that stretch could be operated single line, making both directions cross and re-cross probably causes less conflict and simplifies things at Bath for passengers and staff.


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: grahame on March 24, 2019, 05:53:27
Problems with the signalling between Bathhampton and Bath Spa. 

Down trains are using the up line and up trains are using the down.

Just to add to the mix Cross Country services are being diverted along the Avon Valley today.

Yes this has been happening all day, with eastbound services stopping on the opposite platform to usual at Bath Spa, and westbound services stopping on the opposite to normal as well.

I don't actually understand why that happened. I can understand that there have been signalling problems all day. But why should this lead to having to use the wrong platforms for all services? I can understand services having to use the opposite platform because the other can't be used, but it obviously could be used and was being so. I can't understand how a signalling problem could cause trains to have to cross over - have the signals somehow got a mind of their own and decided to swap sides?

Confused of Bath.

My guess is that one of the crossovers at Bathampton or just west of Bath got stuck, or had to be clipped, so all trains had to cross over there. They then all have to cross three miles away as well, and the question arises what to do with the other direction. While that stretch could be operated single line, making both directions cross and re-cross probably causes less conflict and simplifies things at Bath for passengers and staff.

Agreed.  Or perhaps it really is a signalling system fault and one direction cannot run on its normal side.   Double crossover is messy, but probably leads to less capacity loss than single line working, as well as spending the crowds at Bath station over 2 platforms, and with the ability for both platforms still to be loading / unloading at same time.

Noting the problem continues today (Sunday 24th).


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: bobm on March 24, 2019, 06:37:53
The problem affects at least one signal on the down line between Bathampton and Bath Spa.

To allow technicians the chance to work on it, it is easier to use operate the line in the opposite direction using the reversible signals. 

The alternatives would either be single line working on the up line or talking past one or more signals on the down. Both would lead to greater delays. 


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: IndustryInsider on March 24, 2019, 09:10:07
I believe the problem was a ‘wrong side’ signal failure - when a signal displays an aspect or gives an indication that is less restrictive than it should be.  Thorough testing required when that sort of thing happens.  Not sure if it’s connected with the upcoming resignalling?


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: Red Squirrel on March 24, 2019, 11:17:17
I believe the problem was a ‘wrong side’ signal failure - when a signal displays an aspect or gives an indication that is less restrictive than it should be.  Thorough testing required when that sort of thing happens.  Not sure if it’s connected with the upcoming resignalling?

Oh well; can't blame Jeremy Corbyn - he was, er, elsewhere - as usual.


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: TaplowGreen on March 24, 2019, 13:24:24
I believe the problem was a ‘wrong side’ signal failure - when a signal displays an aspect or gives an indication that is less restrictive than it should be.  Thorough testing required when that sort of thing happens.  Not sure if it’s connected with the upcoming resignalling?

Oh well; can't blame Jeremy Corbyn - he was, er, elsewhere - as usual.

......did he hear a rumour that Chuka Umuna might turn up? 🙂


Title: Re: Special train - 23rd March 2019 - Bristol Bath and Chippenham to London
Post by: bobm on March 24, 2019, 14:48:32
Work has moved to a second signal and that has meant the closure of the down line. So everything is now using the up line and one platform at Bath Spa.



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