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Journey by Journey => South Western services => Topic started by: PhilWakely on September 04, 2021, 08:46:40



Title: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: PhilWakely on September 04, 2021, 08:46:40
Services between Exeter and Waterloo appear to have been culled severely today with nothing leaving Exeter between 10:25 and 16:25 and nothing in the opposite direction arriving between 09:44 and 15:44.

Journeycheck is not working, and there is nothing on the SWR website. I guess it is crew shortages, but can anybody confirm please?


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: PhilWakely on September 04, 2021, 09:24:21
Although SWR Journeycheck is still not working, SWR have corrected the broken link on their own website......

Quote

Changes due to staff absences on West of England Line services on Saturday 4 September

Due to high levels of staff absences, we will be making changes to some services this Saturday on the West of England Line.

You may use your ticket on earlier or later services in order to complete your journey. If you are travelling later in the evening, please consider travelling on an earlier train. South Western Railway tickets will be accepted on Great Western Railway services between Salisbury and Bristol, Basingstoke and Reading, and Exeter St David's and London Paddington in both directions.

Please check your journey before you travel and we’re sorry for any inconvenience this causes.

A full list of alterations is available below:

06:20 Honiton to Waterloo will start its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Honiton (06:20), Axminster (06:31), Crewkerne (06:44), Yeovil Junction (06:53), Sherborne (07:00), Templecombe (07:07), Gillingham (07:17), and Tisbury (07:27). This train will also be formed of three carriages instead of six carriages.

06:40 Exeter St David's to Waterloo will start its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Exeter St David's (06:40), Exeter Central (06:45), Pinhoe (06:50), Cranbrook (06:54), Whimple (06:59), Feniton (07:05), Honiton (07:13), Axminster (07:24), Crewkerne (07:37), Yeovil Junction (07:53), Sherborne (07:59), Templecombe (08:07), Gillingham (08:17) and Tisbury (08:27). This train will also be formed of three carriages instead of six carriages.

07:10 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will end its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Tisbury (09:04), Gillingham (09:06), Templecombe (09:17), Sherborne (09:25), Yeovil Junction (09:39), Crewkerne (09:49), Axminster (10:03), Honiton (10:16), Feniton (10:21), Cranbrook (10:29), Pinhoe (10:33), Exeter Central (10:39), and Exeter St David’s (10:42).

08:20 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will end its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Tisbury (10:04), Gillingham 10:06), Templecombe (10:17), Sherborne (10:25), Yeovil Junction (10:32), Crewkerne (10:49), Axminster (11:03), Honiton (11:16), Whimple (11:24), Cranbrook (11:28), Pinhoe (11:32), Exeter Central (11:39), and Exeter St David’s (11:42).

08:21 Salisbury to Waterloo will not run.

09:20 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will end its journey at Yeovil Junction. This train will no longer call at Crewkerne (11:49), Axminster (12:03), Honiton (12:16), Feniton (12:21), Cranbrook (12:29), Pinhoe (12:33), Exeter Central (12:39), and Exeter St David’s (12:42).

09:25 Exeter St David’s to Waterloo will end its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Andover (11:38), Basingstoke (11:57), Woking (12:17), Clapham Junction (12:37), London Waterloo (12:49).

09:50 Waterloo to Salisbury will be formed of three carriages instead of six carriages.

10:25 Waterloo to Exeter St David's will not run.

10:50 Waterloo to Salisbury will be formed of three carriages instead of six carriages.

11:20 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will end its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Tisbury (13:06), Gillingham (13:17), Templecombe (13:25), Sherborne (13:32), Yeovil Junction (13:39), Crewkerne (13:49), Axminster (14:03), Honiton (14:16), Feniton (14:21), Cranbrook (14:29), Pinhoe (14:33), Exeter Central (14:39), and Exeter St David’s (14:42). This train will also be formed of nine carriages instead of ten carriages.

11:25 Exeter St David’s to London Waterloo will start its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Exeter St David's (11:25), Exeter Central (11:30), Pinhoe (11:34), Cranbrook (11:39), Whimple (11:44), Honiton (11:55), Axminster (12:06), Crewkerne (12:19), Yeovil Junction (12:29), Sherborne (12:35), Templecombe (12:43), Gillingham (12:51) and Tisbury (13:01). This train will also be formed of three carriages instead of six carriages.

12:25 Exeter St David’s to Waterloo will start its journey at Yeovil Junction. This train will no longer call at Exeter St David’s (12:25), Exeter Central (12:30), Pinhoe (12:34), Cranbrook (12:39), Feniton (12:47), Honiton (12:55), Axminster (13:06) and Crewkerne (13:19).

13:20 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will start its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at London Waterloo (13:20), Clapham Junction (13:27), Woking (13:46), Basingstoke (14:07), and Andover (14:24).

13:25 Exeter St David’s to Waterloo will start its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Exeter St David's (13:25), Exeter Central (13:30), Pinhoe (13:34), Cranbrook (13:39), Whimple (13:44), Honiton (13:55), Axminster (14:06), Crewkerne (14:19), Yeovil Junction (14:29), Sherborne (14:35), Templecombe (14:43), Gillingham (14:51) and Tisbury (15:01).

13:52 Salisbury to Bristol Temple Meads will not run.

14:20 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will end its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Tisbury (16:04), Gillingham (16:06), Templecombe (16:17), Sherborne (16:25), Yeovil Junction (16:32), Crewkerne (16:49), Axminster (17:03), Honiton (17:16), Whimple (17:24), Cranbrook (17:28), Pinhoe (17:32), Exeter Central (17:38), and Exeter St David’s (17:42).

14:25 Exeter St David's to Waterloo will not run.

15:20 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will be formed of three carriages instead of six carriages.

15:25 Exeter St David’s to Waterloo will not run.

15:50 Bristol Temple Meads to Salisbury will not run.

16:20 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will end its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Tisbury (18:04), Gillingham (18:06), Templecombe (18:17), Sherborne (18:25), Yeovil Junction (18:32), Crewkerne (18:49), Axminster (19:03), Honiton (19:16), Whimple (19:24), Cranbrook (19:28), Pinhoe (19:32), Exeter Central (19:38), and Exeter St David’s (19:42).

18:20 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will start its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at London Waterloo (18:20), Clapham Junction (18:27), Woking (18:46), Basingstoke (19:07), and Andover (19:24).

18:25 Exeter St David’s to Waterloo will start its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Exeter St David's (18:25), Exeter Central (18:30), Pinhoe (18:34), Cranbrook (18:39), Feniton (18:47), Honiton (18:55), Axminster (19:06), Crewkerne (19:19), Yeovil Junction (19:29), Sherborne (19:35), Templecombe (19:43), Gillingham (19:51) and Tisbury (20:01).

19:20 Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will not run.

19:25 Exeter St David’s to Waterloo will be formed of three carriages instead of six carriages.

20:25 Exeter St David’s to Waterloo will start its journey at Salisbury. This train will no longer call at Exeter St David's (20:25), Exeter Central (20:30), Pinhoe (20:34), Cranbrook (20:39), Whimple (20:44), Feniton (20:49), Honiton (20:56), Axminster (21:07), Crewkerne (21:20), Yeovil Junction (21:30), Sherborne (21:36), Templecombe (21:44), Gillingham (21:52) and Tisbury (22:02).

20:53 Salisbury to Waterloo will not run.

20:57 Salisbury to Bristol Temple Meads will not run.
 
22:23 Bristol Temple Meads to Salisbury will not run.

22:50 Waterloo to Salisbury will not run.

22:55 Salisbury to Yeovil Junction will not run.

23:00 Exeter St David’s to Yeovil Junction will not run.

23:39 Waterloo to Basingstoke will be formed of three carriages instead of six carriages.


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: RichardB on September 04, 2021, 11:14:03
Thanks for flagging this up, Phil.

I thought I'd look at today's service at Honiton on Real Time Trains

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:HON/2021-09-04/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

Almost beggars belief.


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: Timmer on September 04, 2021, 12:45:09
Situation not helped by the cancellation of the GWR London - Paignton semi fasts again.


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: JayMac on September 04, 2021, 14:33:29
Four hour gap this afternoon for up services from Templecombe. Nothing toward Salisbury and beyond between 1343 and 1743.


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: RichardB on September 04, 2021, 17:17:20
No less than a seven hour gap in westbound services from Feniton today - 09 21 - 16 21.  Six hours the other - 10 51 - 16 51.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:FNT/2021-09-04/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: RichardB on September 04, 2021, 17:29:38
I've made some enquiries and been told the issue is down to a sudden shortage of staff due to sickness.   The plan for today was put together yesterday morning. 

Tomorrow, the Exeter trains are only running as far as Basingstoke.  Looking at Real time Trains, it seems the full service should be possible certainly west of Yeovil Junction.  Here's the plan for Honiton.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:HON/2021-09-05/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

Hope this is what happens. 


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: Lee on September 04, 2021, 18:28:15
I've made some enquiries and been told the issue is down to a sudden shortage of staff due to sickness.   The plan for today was put together yesterday morning. 

Tomorrow, the Exeter trains are only running as far as Basingstoke.  Looking at Real time Trains, it seems the full service should be possible certainly west of Yeovil Junction.  Here's the plan for Honiton.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:HON/2021-09-05/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

Hope this is what happens. 

On a completely unrelated note, Salisbury Pride was today - https://mobile.twitter.com/SW_Help/status/1433343517443624963

Quote from: SW_Help Twitter
We're #proud to be sponsoring

@pride_salisbury

this Saturday, 4 September! Train services to and from Salisbury are expected to be busier than usual. Remember to plan your journey in advance and have a safe and happy Pride! #salisburyprideuk


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: broadgage on September 05, 2021, 05:30:17
No less than a seven hour gap in westbound services from Feniton today - 09 21 - 16 21.  Six hours the other - 10 51 - 16 51.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:FNT/2021-09-04/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

"tickets may be used on the following train"

Or perhaps it should say, "tickets may used in part payment for a secondhand car" 

This sort of thing, combined with the failed IET project severely affecting GWR services to and from the same region is not going to encourage use of trains instead of driving.
What happened to the climate emergency ?


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: RichardB on September 05, 2021, 08:42:53
I've just tried Waterloo - Honiton and Waterloo - Cranbrook on SWR's website for next Saturday.

Nothing came up which has got to be concerning.


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: broadgage on September 05, 2021, 12:17:06
Why were so many services half length yesterday ? It takes no more staff to operate a 6 car 159 than to run a half length train.
With so many services cancelled, shortages of rolling stock seems unlikely. With so many cancellations, running full length trains is more important than ever.

So much for competition between GWR and South Western !
More like a race to the bottom.

"Their services are half length, so we should be able to get away with similar"
"They have almost abolished catering on long distance services, so that proves that we don't need it either"



Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: bradbrka on September 05, 2021, 16:36:21
Why were so many services half length yesterday ? It takes no more staff to operate a 6 car 159 than to run a half length train.
With so many services cancelled, shortages of rolling stock seems unlikely. With so many cancellations, running full length trains is more important than ever.


Maybe the staff shortage was in the depot, no body to empty the waste water tanks, refill with clean water, clean and refuel the train and the other pre-service checks. It must take more people to prepare 6 cars vs. 3, the same as 9 or 10 vs 5.


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: broadgage on September 06, 2021, 08:48:45
Possibly lack of depot staff, but I do wonder how hard they tried to overcome any such shortage.
Overtime working ?
Temporary staff ?

Or even send out a 6 car train with toilets only available in one unit. Toilet availability seems a low priority normally.

Or just simpler and cheaper to cancel numerous trains and make many of the rest half length.


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: grahame on September 06, 2021, 08:54:59
Or even send out a 6 car train with toilets only available in one unit. Toilet availability seems a low priority normally.

Bearing in mind that the line is run with through gangway units as is proper for regional and long distance trains, that makes sense.  Of course, if the issue isn't about topping up the loos with water but topping up the fuel tanks with diesel, it's a different matter.


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: broadgage on September 06, 2021, 10:12:48
I am not convinced that filling with diesel as is complex as "the railway" seem to think it is.
Diesel fuel is non volatile and low risk. Car and truck drivers handle it routinely without special training.
Car drivers are even allowed to handle petrol without training, a far more dangerous fuel.



Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: Witham Bobby on September 06, 2021, 16:50:28
I am not convinced that filling with diesel as is complex as "the railway" seem to think it is.
Diesel fuel is non volatile and low risk. Car and truck drivers handle it routinely without special training.
Car drivers are even allowed to handle petrol without training, a far more dangerous fuel.



Having had the pleasure of visiting Rossmore Road Depot, adjacent to Marylebone. in the days of Class 115 DMUs on the Banbury and Aylesbury routes, I can confirm that the DMUs were routinely refuelled by drivers - moved from siding to fuelling road, and either back again or out into traffic, with the driver getting out from the cab and doing the job.  I'm not sure if this was official, or simply a convenient way of working.  But it was definitely done.


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: JayMac on September 06, 2021, 17:16:52
Toilets, cleaning, fuelling, inspecting, maintaining, marshaling...

I get the impression some think that SWR are lying about staffing problems. I have it on good authority that Salisbury TMD is severely under staffed at present. They are having to concentrate their rostering efforts on the weekday service. There simply aren't the numbers at present to take up rest day work or overtime.

And despite trying to concentrate efforts on the weekday service there were still cancellations today (Monday 6th September 2021) due to staff shortages.

Add in the problem of a driver shortage too...


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: PhilWakely on September 06, 2021, 19:14:13
I get the impression some think that SWR are lying about staffing problems. I have it on good authority that Salisbury TMD is severely under staffed at present. They are having to concentrate their rostering efforts on the weekday service. There simply aren't the numbers at present to take up rest day work or overtime.

And despite trying to concentrate efforts on the weekday service there were still cancellations today (Monday 6th September 2021) due to staff shortages.

Add in the problem of a driver shortage too...

Interesting to note that stations east of Salisbury, together with the Romsey loop had a full service on Saturday with no cancellations.


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: ChrisB on September 06, 2021, 19:48:10
Be a little silly to use those available drivers west of Salisbury if there was then no/little way of getting from there towards Basingstoke/London?


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: RichardB on September 06, 2021, 19:55:29
Be a little silly to use those available drivers west of Salisbury if there was then no/little way of getting from there towards Basingstoke/London?

Chris, I hope you are not saying what happened west of Salisbury on Saturday was in any way acceptable.  It wasn't and I very much hope it was a one off.


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: ChrisB on September 06, 2021, 20:02:09
Not at all….just that if what I described had happened, there would have been a lot more people affected/stuck at Salisbury, proabably having to journey south with GWR


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: RichardB on September 06, 2021, 20:20:25
Not at all….just that if what I described had happened, there would have been a lot more people affected/stuck at Salisbury, proabably having to journey south with GWR

Salisbury passengers would at least have had an alternative.  Honiton, Axminster, Crewkerne etc passengers had nothing.  Not small numbers, especially in terms of day trips from Axminster, Honiton etc into Exeter. 


Title: Re: Exeter to/from Waterloo - Saturday, 4th September
Post by: broadgage on September 07, 2021, 03:35:33
I do not entirely trust SWR. I doubt that they are blatantly lying, but I suspect a certain amount of exaggeration. "No need to do their utmost, simply cancel and short form, and blame it on covid"

The average passenger does not even know what todays excuse is.
Staff shortage, signaling failures, weather, industrial disputes, bridge bashes, cracked trains, leaves on the line, or whatever.

They simply know that trains are not a reliable mode of transport, as well as being complex and expensive. Gaps of 6 hours or more on a main line is a third world railway. And as for paying some of the highest fares in the world to stand for hours on a new shorter train, simply unacceptable.

If SWR are really unable to service their trains, then charter stock should have been hired. This is serviced and made ready by the charter operator. A couple of full length charter sets on the busiest diagrams would have saved up to six 3 car 159s for other services.
Steam haulage would be fun, but a modern diesel more sensible.

Some tourist trade body have been promoting the message that "The west is open" well not by train it is not, at least not with any reliability.



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