Great Western Coffee Shop

Journey by Journey => Thames Valley Branches => Topic started by: bobm on March 16, 2011, 09:01:03



Title: 18:12 London Paddington to Henley on Thames
Post by: bobm on March 16, 2011, 09:01:03
Caught the above train for the first time last night. Got on about 15 minutes before it was due to leave. I was in the front coach of the five car train. I thought after the 18:06 which runs fast to Twyford had left my train would fill up. However when we departed at 18:16 only three other people were sitting in my part of the train.

Perhaps I now know why. When we reached Hanwell the brakes went on as we caught up with a stopping train and then crawled all the way to Twyford. It is obviously timetabled to do this as we kept time. However it's about perception. If a train is going noticeably less than full speed for an appreciable amount of time people feel they are losing time.

Do the other through trains to Henley have the same problem?  I know things are tight out of London but couldn't a better path be found?


Title: Re: 18:16 London Paddington to Henley on Thames
Post by: grahame on March 16, 2011, 09:17:00
In contrast, I've been on the 18:06 heading further west and quite surprised at the high number who get off at Twyford - a torrent that flows over the bridge and along to the bay platform.   A timetable shows up some interesting things:

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/padhot.jpg)


Title: Re: 18:16 London Paddington to Henley on Thames
Post by: bobm on March 16, 2011, 09:34:31
I've caught the 18:06 from Twyford to go to Newbury and am normally the only one to get on and so can usually get a seat (and a g&t from the buffet). Just wonder how valuable a through service to Henley is if it takes much longer than changing trains


Title: Re: 18:12 London Paddington to Henley on Thames
Post by: eightf48544 on March 16, 2011, 10:23:31
Didn't the through Henley's used to be Maidenhead first and last stop?

There used to be stopping Bourne End in the peak which ran Relief but it connected with a fast from Padd at Maidenhead so no one used it as a through tin.


Title: Re: 18:12 London Paddington to Henley on Thames
Post by: bobm on March 16, 2011, 10:26:37
I know years ago there was a through train just after the morning rush hour that used to run fast from Maidenhead. Must have been 15 years ago at least.


Title: Re: 18:12 London Paddington to Henley on Thames
Post by: autotank on March 27, 2011, 09:48:30
The 1712 and 1812 are slightly odd services - anyone with sense would use the 1706 and 1806 which get you to Henley branch stations almost 30 minutes earlier (and give you a chance to HST bash!). With all the slack in the schedule surely they should make some extra stops - especailly the 1812 which is 5 cars and lightly loaded out of Paddington. Perhaps calls at Iver and Langley would be a useful? It seems odd that most other services leaving Paddington at that time are wedged!

The third direct train of an evening is a real flyer though - the 1906 often makes it to Henley in 44 minutes but is pretty packed until Maidenhead which is the first stop.

The two direct up services in the morning are both pretty quick, although pretty rammed by the time they leave Maidenhead for the dash to Paddington.


Title: Re: 18:12 London Paddington to Henley on Thames
Post by: autotank on June 12, 2011, 12:22:02
I've noticed the 1712 now makes welcome stops at Burnham and Taplow (think this change came in at the May timetable change) which doesn't have any impact on total journey time due to the large amount of slack mentioned previously. I still think there is scope to add a couple of calling points into the 1812 direct service which is still a crawl and only stops at Slough and Maidenhead at the moment before Twyford, Wargrave, Shiplake and HOT.


Title: Re: 18:12 London Paddington to Henley on Thames
Post by: argg on June 13, 2011, 14:01:43
The 1712 and 1812 are slightly odd services - anyone with sense would use the 1706 and 1806...

I disagree - Not odd but rather quite refreshingly different.  A peak time train where you can get a seat at the last minute and have space to your side.  Added bonus for Twyford passengers that it arrives on platform 4.  With time on my hands 18.06 is great but need to be there early!

Yes, the 18.12 takes a bit longer and it would be lovely if it could use the main line to Slough but let's not shout too loudly in case FGW will see it as a loss maker if its not "standing room only".

The 19.06 (3 car) is usually a bit of a scrum to get on as it usually arrives at Pad about 19.02 and is packed to the rafters. (interestingly the departure boards usually say "preparing" when the train is still 5 minutes away)




This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net