Great Western Coffee Shop

Did anyone else try to get the 18.33 Paddington to Maidenhead tonight like I did. Instead of getting home at 7pm I got home at 8pm.. First the train was delayed, then (after I had tried and failed to get on the 18.44 due to lack of space) when the 18.33 finally arrived, and we'd all got on, it was announced that it was no longer stopping at Maidenhead so as to speed it up a bit....!!! ???

 So I suffered a nice squash on the 19.14 in the end...

And I pay lots of money for this?

It was a shambles. Didn't know they took the Maidenhead stop off the 18:33. Believe the train left 35 late in the end..

The 19:22 Paddington - Great Malvern : Normally a 5car 180..today...2 car turbo. Bit insane when you consider it's the first off-peak fast train to Reading and Oxford

Welcome to the board, Jo ... please do post up about your Thames Valley experiences, as we're a bit light on people from the east of FGW territory here.  And you'll find that some of our experts are very good right across the West.

-- Graham

P.S.  Please tell your friends, local paper and travel companions about us  ;)

The 165 did a 16.22 to Oxford and return working as well!

Hi johoare.

Yes I noticed that on the Service Incidents last night and thought to myself that there would be a few WEEEEELLLL PLEEEEAAASSED homeward bound commuters last night. You were one of them, my commiserations.

Not much better tonights.

1645 to Reading formed 3 coaches instead of 6.

1814 to Henley On Thames formed of 3 coaches instead of 6.

1833 London Paddington to Oxford formed of 2 coaches instead of 5.

So there are going to be a few more WEEEEELLLL PLEEEAASED tonight as well.

See the thread I commenced today, Bloody Nose, on the Fairs Fair message board on this forum.

Thank you. Yes I did notice the Bloody nose topic. I'm sure First Great Western (or Worst Great Western as I affectionately like to call them) would have refunded my annual ticket by now and would be owing me money! I have had some weeks where my morning train has had 0% punctuality.. WGW have responded to this by removing it from the December timetable. It won't be late anymore then..!

As for today, an ill child ensured I worked at home, and didn't have to suffer any stressful train travel... lovely!

I can hardly wait for tomorrow...

But then you got the weekend to look forward to.

05/10/2007 ;-

And tonights PLEEEEEAAAASED comuters will be those that are regulars on this one ;-

16:52 London Paddington to Oxford due 17:49

This train has been cancelled. This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.

and them was finking theyd ave a urly start to the weekend, Uh  >:(

Sorry to disappoint you Marty but the 16:52 was re-instated.

Well them commuters were WEEEEELLLL PLEEEAASED when they arrived at Paddington tonight after checking before they left their offices that their train was running and found it wunt so didnt bover t urry over to Pad and found many of the regulars not there and to be informed that the train ran after all, bugger. FGW commuters are on a lose lose situation aint em.

Yes, they are.   But so are the staff at FGW who have to take the reports of train cancellations (certains, probables, posssibles) and decide when publich what news.  Imagine some repairman at Old Oak Common saying "I'm working on it but I don't knwo if it will be fixed in time" - what do the customer facing staff say?  Or imagine that a staff member is late for work - he could just be stuck in traffic or doing a "no show" and again a decision has to be made.

Personally, I suspect that the bulletins are about right (and I prefer them to be issued as soon as things become clear rather than weight a while for spell and grammar checking). But what is really needed is a dramatic improvement of teh circumstances that lead to the need for these announcements - more robust train ability, and more crew availability at the right place / right time.

I see your point, If I remember correctly the message we got through about the 16:52 running again came about 15-20mins before it was due to go.

Well I e-mailed Andrew Haines as a result of this particular delay. The result, a lovely bouquet of flowers and a ^20 cheque. This was of course a very nice gesture.. Now all we need is a reliable service like we used to have a few years ago!

WOW things are improving under Andrew Haines. All you used to get was some bulk standard letter that said sorry about 20 times throughout.

The 1922 is a 2 car turbo more often than not it seems these days (or at least whenever I am unlucky enough not to get the 1822). 

When that happens I wait for the 2022 and accept getting home at 2330 (by the time I get to WOS and drive home).  Luckily I can usually arrange to work from home the next day. 

2022 is a turbo but is usually a planned 3 car so at least you get 32 seats with tables!

I just want to know where all the 180's are which should be working that route?

Broken down!