Great Western Coffee Shop

I'm enjoying the continued HSTs on the 1445 Paddington to Swansea, but does anyone know why it's been consistently in reverse formation since last Thursday? It hasn't even been the same set each day (although I'm glad to get 43002 again this afternoon). I understand that the diagram originates in St Philip's Marsh -- why don't they just run this train out of the other end of the depot if it's back-to-front?

The reverse formation causes prolonged stops at Cardiff Central, where the station design channels people to wait on the wide bit of the platform at the Down end (accentuating the issue of the exits being at the front at Neath and Swansea). The scrum at the door next to the buffet that results is ridiculous.

Hmm.  :-\

Thanks for your post, jamestheredengine.

I was in a very useful meeting with someone senior with Great Western Railway in Swindon this morning, and we discussed how members of this forum could obtain answers to just such questions (amongst many other agenda items).

Please give me until tomorrow - I'll see whether I can get you an authoritative answer.  ;)

No promises - I'll see what I can do!  :-X

Unfortunately, jamestheredengine, I've drawn a blank so far - can't get hold of someone who could answer.

However, as it's hopefully not time-critical, I'll have another go tomorrow.  ;)

Thanks for trying, Chris. I can well imagine that it hasn't been the easiest day for getting hold of people. Yeah, not time-critical at all.