Great Western Coffee Shop

So I make that two arrivals into Weymouth and two return trains cancelled (south of Westury) - let's hope the remaining train(s) convey the extra carriages ...

Sadly, if JC is to be believed it’s got worse:

Cancelled:
0645 Westbury - Weymouth
0848 Westbury - Weymouth
0858 Bristol PW - Weymouth

1310 Weymouth - Gloucester
1654 Weymouth - Westbury

Not operating between Westbury - Weymouth - Westbury:
0846 Weymouth - Gloucester
1042 Gloucester - Weymouth
1610 Weymouth - Great Malvern

So as things stand 4 out of 9 trains are cancelled between Westbury and Weymouth and 4 out of 9 between Weymouth and Westbury. Not great for a bank holiday weekend. The only good thing is most trains aren’t the ‘peak’ trains expected to be loaded, though the 1728 Weymouth to Westbury could be cosy with both the 1610 and 1654 both cancelled.

Let’s hope the 0652 Worcester to Weymouth and the 0842 Gloucester to Weymouth have extra carriages between Bristol Parkway/Westbury and Weymouth to cover for the cancelled 0954 Bristol Parkway to Weymouth. Same for the 1728 Weymouth to Westbury to cover for the cancelled 1610 and 1654.

It appears a shortage of traincrew at Westbury is the cause of the cancellations today. Been affecting Cardiff - Portsmouth services all week.

UPDATE:
Looks like the 1042 Gloucester to Weymouth, 1310 Weymouth to Gloucester and the 1610 Weymouth to Great Malvern are now running as timetabled, so some good news there.

Oh no, just when things were looking up:


So it’s a choice of the 1728 or 2020. Bare in mind both only go as far Westbury. The 1610 being the last through service to Bath and Bristol.

No HoW cancellations on Bank Holiday Monday (yet) ... but the 17:36 to Westbury is "formed of 2 coaches instead of 3".

Previous train 14:55

Next train 20:16

Rather stunned that this train is rostered for only 3 coaches to start with.

 :o :'(

Haven't you heard? This is what going back to pre-Sectorisation/Network SouthEast/Regional Railways BR 1970s mediocrity - but without the Intercity 125-style flagship (sorry stuving) trains to inspire the next generation with - looks like in practice. It's not about the passenger anymore - The railway must be run as the rail industry says it must.

This is the new Age Of The Train - Enjoy.

Surely we aren't common "passengers" nowadays............we are "customers".............paying for a service  >:( >:(

No the railway must be run as the DfT says it must!

As other members with inside knowledge of the process have said elsewhere, the Treasury/DfT may be the ones asking for the budget cuts, but they have left the method of execution very much down to the rail industry to decide.

And as those of us who have studied Network Rail Business Plans over the years know, that method of execution is very much in line with what they have wanted to do all along.