Looking at JourneyCheck it looks like all of the 9 cars are not out today?

I would have assumed that that would be apart of the training though?

1742 to Cheltenham was covered by IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) whilst the Hereford issue was on however 1722 to Hereford is now IET with 1742 back to HST^▸ (High Speed Train). From 03/09, more Cheltenham diagrams change over:

UP DIRECTION
1L10 0528 Worcester SH - Paddington
1L36 0831 Cheltenham - Paddington
1L58 1236 Cheltenham - Paddington

DOWN DIRECTION
1G02 0640 Swindon - Cheltenham
1G21 0936 Paddington - Cheltenham
1G60 1742 Paddington - Cheltenham


I am also told that Stonehouse Platform Extention should be finished on the 25th, which will then mean 10 cars are cleared for the line.

I think I prefer the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) until these “improvements” come to these 40 years newer trains.

I am currently sat on a 9 car IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) with no hot water, no reservations and the trolley is no where near me, even at Swindon!

I meant my comment in a joking way, sorry if misunderstood. I do agree that a buffet provides a warm welcome and more of a long distance feel. The micro buffers do not live up to the “buffet standard” in my opinion, feeling overcrowded. Though a buffet is still better, and would probably provide better food options.

It’s a shame because the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) was a great benefit on the line, and it was in a place that was needed. The route should be 5 or 6 car Turbos, but GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) is a mess at the moment so many reasons why not.

Turbos provide lower comfort quality, and I remember traveling one Saturday two or so years ago and people were commenting on how it’s “comfy” “better than the last time we came” comparing with a 150 or 158, and they do not have 3x2 seating.

If the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) were cleared it would have been great to be able to operate them across areas of the network that may be busy that would normally be operated by commuter or regional trains but there you go, what a shame.

Not particularly looking forward to my Sunday Swindon works in October. Most weeks Inhad a 5 minute connection to catch at Parkway, some days missing it and continuing to Temple Meads. I also had to pay extra for any permitted route so I was not sat on a Rail Replacement Bus for 1hr 30mins.

You don’t like the trolley? Since when 

The city centre will let you down, however a new bus station is being built at the moment opposite the station. A lot of transport history though not very remains of the old Tuffley loop.

Found a photo on twitter of the new first class moquet https://twitter.com/cragoolia/status/1028167564730552320?s=21

Within two weeks of the 800s introduction the first 43s were off and you did not see any 5 vice 10 until the start of 2018 unless it was an issue with the staff of which five were locked out of use. I’d say between April and July were the most short forms, and I seem to feel that they have cut down slightly over the past month or so, but I can’t say it does not happen. The main issues related to short forms are currently that there are fewer HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) than needed, there are units still being used for testing and the trains have teething problems.

I personally as a whole have no issue with the train itself, yes a buffet would be nice, yes it would be nice if they were not split in half but GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) always tell me once they are fully introduced the only time I will see a short form is because of a fault with a train, or maintenance work. I believe that there will certainly be many, many less though it will still happen, and to what extent no one can say.

I am from Gloucester, I am told next year when the service goes hourly that my trains will be 5 and 9 cars off peak and 9 and 10 peak. That’s enough for my line, and it also allows the 9 cars to operate most Bristol and Cheltenham trains. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a 5 car 802 covering for a duty on my line because it is a fairly suitable train.

At the end of the day, both the Government, Hitatchi and GWR are to blame for the awful introduction of these ‘Super’ trains. I and many others see how they can provide better journey times and hopefully a better passenger experience, with 4tph Bristol and 3tph Wales (peak), also 1tph Cheltenham these trains will eventually (whenever that is) provide a better experience, hopefully  

(didcotdean, I was typing whilst you posted yours, sorry if things are repeated  )

Unless you are on a service out of Paddington near peak, and a family of four “helps themselves” to lots of it 

Didcot and Bath do not have on train announcements for short platforms as they are going to be extended, so manual SDO^▸ (Selective Door Opening) is used instead by the driver.

“If you see something that doesn’t look right..
or
Please do not leave your pasty unattended”