There is nothing wrong with the seats! The foam is a bit hard because its new, same as brand new sofa, they are much more comfortable and don't vibrate like the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Mk3 seats.  As for not lining up with the windows, so don't the current FGW/GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) hst interiors, I wish people would stop finding fault with these new trains when actually there's very little different from the HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s & Class 180s that have been serving for the last 18 years.

Not really possible as the end doors don't open anyway, so they could only get through on the second and third set of doors. To be honest id rather have first class in exactly the same place every time which having it in the middle might be an easier way to do so, than having one end at London and one end at the country.  The difference between SWR and GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) is of course Gloucester, by having the train being constantly turned around it screws up the first class end, by having it in the middle its problem solved.

In relation to the Class 800s would it not be easier to put First Class in the middle of 10 car units, as that way it could be guaranteed to be in the same position, rather than having it and the middle and rear, or front and rear etc.

I honestly don't see why its so difficult to keep it in house at GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), if driver Ted is really so bored with it, then maybe look at a new train or retrofitting a Class 165 to run automatically along the route.

Is it possible to block people on the forum?   There's one or two members who really irritate me by instead of replying with logic and giving a sensible answer, just give a cocky and quite rude reply and get away with it.

So why was it even suggested in the first place   Its like asking if you want candles on your birthday cakes, saying yes and then being told tough because there isn't any!

I believe from what I interpreted at the far end of the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) franchise consultation that First Group have been instructed to look into the feasibility of a Okehampton to Exeter service, and how best to implement it so whether that will lead to anything who knows.  Surely with all the spare trains that seems to be coming around they couldn't just use one, put on a 2 or 3 hourly timetable, advertise it, and then run it for 3 to 6 months under a trail basis?  Im guess it would be too much red tape as per usual.


The Stratford services as I suggested is something GWR is being pressured to look at, although I do think serving Birmingham would be good too, mainly because I don't think HS2^▸ (The next High Speed line(s)) is going to happen anytime soon or at all, especially after Crossrails bad news.

Services to Minehead would be good, mainly because it removes the coach service from Taunton, and would allow more people to travel closer to Minehead, and then use the coaches as a shuttle service to Butlins, reducing road usage.

I also feel that a service to Kingswear would be beneficial, as it would link to the South Hams, Cruise ships in Dartmouth, the Navy College etc, even if it was a summer only service, or a special events service, such as when the Regatta is on, as long as the PDSR didn't lose any revenue because of it, It could help massively with parking issues in Dartmouth, and traffic around the local area on such a busy period. The only issue could be Greenaway Tunnel, but since IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)'s have been cleared on the line to Pembroke Dock I can't see much of an issue.

I should state that my idea is not to make the modern GWR like the old GWR but to look at ways it can enhance its services, and play its part in reducing congestion on many roads which nearly always happens in the South West during the summer period.

I just hope your not being so negative because of my comments on other places in this forum.

If you could or would like to see new services by GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) what would they be?

Mine are the following

*New services from Paddington to Birmingham Snow Hill (fast) and Stratford Upon Avon giving better links from the Midlands to London,South West and Heathrow.

*10:30 Paddington to Paignton extended to Kingswear during the summer to provide connections to the South Hams, possibly calling at Churston if the PDSR would permit it. Rerouted back via the original route of Bristol Temple Meads.

*Summer service to Minehead to cater for Butlins, replacing the current coach service from Taunton by Buses of Somerset.

*Services from Cardiff extended to Shrewsbury or looking at setting up a new direct service from Paddington to Shrewsbury with regular timings, possibly by merging some ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) services into the new service.

Except these horses you refer to have been bred over 100 years with racing genes, why do you think most racing horses struggle after leaving the racing industry because they are very difficult to handle.   Its like buying a high performance sports car and using it for slow town driving.   Most race horses actually enjoy racing and its fairly easy to tell because they get so excited.  I'm sorry to if this seems rude but the problem isn't all about the racing industry itself but uneducated people thinking they know best.

As I said before, safety improves are a better solution, 20 years ago F1 drivers where being burnt alive how often does that happen now?

The same could have been argued for formula 1 any many other sports several years ago,  improvements to safety is a better move forward, trying to stop the sport all together won't get much support because its so popular.

Neither were the class 166/165s 2 years ago, and extensive work has had to be done to them to allow them to go on the route, Class 180s im pretty sure can be used anywhere,  Just derate the engines too 100mph and get better acceleration.

Considering that they oversaw the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) electrification, IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) introduction, GWR fleet loses to Scotrail/Northern and several other failures, I think ill stand by my wording if thats ok.  As for the removal of routes I would argue the Reading to Gatwick route would be better in SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) hands then Cardiff to Portsmouth.

As someone who's been on both the 800s and 802s I can tell you a few things.  1 The seats a slightly firm because the foam underneath is new, exactly the same as buying a new sofa, after time it softens.  I do agree the lighting and that horrible lime green needs sorting, and im surprised no lesson where learnt from the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) dynamic lines refresh when the same problems where made out. First Class at the moment isn't great, im not sure if they are waiting for a year before putting in leather seats due to railway rules. Aircon in an 802 was perfectly fine, but the fresh air on a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) is much nicer.  In terms of quietness it depends on which coach you sit in, the 2nd standard class coach from the front, seems to be much quieter than the middle coach for some reason, yet they both have underfloor engines.

Depends where you are on the network,  major routes such as the Thames Valley, Bristol metro announce 2 minute delays,  deep down West its anything over 5 minutes.