I’ve also noticed trains coming in from North Pole still full of rubbish - so on a short turnaround you then also have the cleaning crew to contend with.

Fridays 1550 to Great Malvern came in late and was dirty plus the reservations (and carriage numbers) didn’t come on until after we’d left Paddington - so lots of confused people.

Why oh why can’t the empty stock be cleaned before leaving Paddington, or even when stabled for part of the day??? It makes everyone’s life miserable, especially the cleaning crew who have to battle through boarding passengers

sat on the 1550 - guard telling us we're going beyond Oxford

BUT we pull into platform 3 - so probably going nowhere...

Look forward to standing all the way home!

Bizarre set of events at Paddington on this one.

Noticed it was booked as 10 car which seemed odd - boarded as normal with no special announcements about being in front set - then at departure time we were held as they decided they couldn’t take the whole train to Moreton...

Finally left (all 10 carriages) about 12 mins late - with train manager unsure what was happening after Oxford (although me being a regular on this train knew the late departure alone was enough for us to be cancelled at Oxford).

Part way through further delayed journey, announced that we indeed couldn’t go beyond Oxford

Now waiting for the likely packed 1622 stopper (which is also short formed today...)

I thought the timings had moved back to normal again (0633 off Charlbury) - which makes sense because it always has to wait for the train in the opposite direction coming off the single line.

I was on an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) last week with a substantial wet patch on the seat next to me - someone still sat on it even when I pointed it out (they got on at Reading heading to Paddington)

For the sake of clarity, the wet patch was not my doing!

Does anyone know which bridge was actually struck?

It's a long way between Worcester and Oxford...

Thanks - yes wasn’t aware of that so would have faced a lovely 45 minute wait after the non-existant 0633 ex-Charlbury!

05:28 HFD^» (Hereford - next trains)-PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) now running 49 late (i'm on it). We stopped additionally at Didcot for some reason, and were running on the slow lines for quite a while.

I was on the 0605 from Charlbury, got delayed at Oxford - the guard said someone had climbed a signalling gantry in an apparent suicide attempt (just beyond Oxford). Believe all was resolved without injury and I made it to Paddington with a 15 minute delay

It sure did make it - I was very worried as we sat outside Oxford for the announcement of doom - but it never came!!!

I’ve seen a brief mention of this, but very few details from 1 - 22 July.

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) site just says buses will replace trains on separate days - no idea what that means!

Cross Countty do list a bit more detail - but again not that helpful.

Seems closures between Banbury/hanborough and Oxford/Didcot.

Just trying to plan ahead and the thought of no direct trains from Charlbury to Paddington for three weeks isn’t sounding great

Not sure on the accuracy of the cancellation reason - we left Paddington late - the guard did announce it but didn’t provide an explanation.

We eventually rolled into Oxford a bit late, and as per normal, any sign of late running on this train results in it being dumped so we can await the all stations stopper.

Thankfully we were treated to a shiny new train (what is the 1622 exPAD) - first time I’ve been on one on that particular journey. The annoucements were automated for short platforms, but didn’t state which coach to be in, only that the doors at one end of my carriage (B) (between A&B) weren’t opening at Hanborough, Combe or Finstock - not a multiple announcement, just once per stop) - so what, do they open the doors in the middle? All the regulars for hanborough were loaded at the front on departure from Oxford only to have to trudge through a train of standing passengers to get off.

I travel to London most days from Charlbury. I now refuse to get the 0731 which is a turbo at the moment as I simply can’t work on it. I catch the earlier 0712 (or 0633) HST^▸ (High Speed Train) - still get a seat but it’s fairly busy.

Same goes for the 1622 back - it’s so variable that i just stay later at work to avoid a turbo

Or at least offer to resign - Lord Bates style

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42897401

Bloody pain - I couldn't be bothered so caught the Cathedrals Express (0835 from Charlbury) - missed a meeting but preferred that to sardine conditions