The loco hauled set will work for 8 Saturdays only, not sure when the first is but cant be far off. Works an additional 08:34 BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI)) to WEY and 17:49 WEY to BTM. Not sure on stops yet, would imagine limited.

Motive power will be top and tail EWS^▸ (English Welsh & Scottish Railway Ltd, now known as DB Schenker Rail (UK^▸ (United Kingdom))) class 67s. A preview of this type of train will be seen later this week when two sets are used by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) on Taunton and Swindon to Castle Cary shuttles for Glastonbury.

Ticket barriers at Plymouth have definately helped raise passenger numbers at Ivybridge. Would think the same can be said for Saltash/St.Germans??

The unit fleet 'refresh' will start very soon, a class 158 will 'go in' mid July and emerge mid August in the new look. The fleet will get 'refreshed' interiours hence vinyling of the 150s has stopped and will only be done when they get the full job. 150261 should be the first 150 to be done in September.....

Not directly related, but FGW^▸ (First Great Western) ran two additional return services Exeter - Paddington today to cater for Exeter City playing at Wembley. Riviera stock with EWS^▸ (English Welsh & Scottish Railway Ltd, now known as DB Schenker Rail (UK^▸ (United Kingdom))) class 67 locos.

Its a bit more than 4 hours!! This is a Sat at Newquay:
Trains at NEWQUAY
All trains from 00:01 to 24:00 on 09/06/07
Lc Arr Dep Wttid Origin          Destination     Typ Days From   To     TC^‡(resolve)
08:36 ***** 2C34 PLYMOUTH  06:53 NEWQUAY   08:36 WTT^▸ (Working Time-Table) SO   260507 080907 OO^▸ ((Double O) - model railway, 4mm to 1 foot scale)
***** 09:40 1E47 NEWQUAY   09:40 NCASTLCEN 18:34 WTT SO   260507 090607 XX
11:03 ***** 1C08 PLYMOUTH  08:58 NEWQUAY   11:03 WTT SO   260507 080907 XX
***** 11:39 1A90 NEWQUAY   11:39 PADDINGTN 16:57 WTT SO   260507 080907 XX
13:02 ***** 1C77 PADDINGTN 08:05 NEWQUAY   13:02 VAR SO   090607 090607 XX
***** 13:20 1A92 NEWQUAY   13:20 PADDINGTN 18:21 WTT SO   260507 080907 XX
14:44 ***** 1V29 MANCR PIC 07:00 NEWQUAY   14:44 WTT SO   260507 300607 XX
***** 15:22 1M28 NEWQUAY   15:22 MANCR PIC 22:47 WTT SO   260507 300607 XX
16:43 ***** 1C82 PADDINGTN 11:35 NEWQUAY   16:43 WTT SO   260507 080907 XX
***** 17:13 1A97 NEWQUAY   17:13 PADDINGTN 22:29 WTT SO   260507 080907 XX
18:35 ***** 1V49 NCASTLCEN 09:41 NEWQUAY   18:35 WTT SO   260507 090607 XX
***** 19:50 2P86 NEWQUAY   19:50 PLYMOUTH  21:40 WTT SO   260507 080907 OO



So you would have 11:03 until 17:13, perfect for a family day out!!!

I would imagine 'shack' figures were the highest in a while at the end of Wessex, however FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have probably now killed these back down.

However big up FGW for running a extra HST^▸ (High Speed Train) this coming Bank Holiday Monday, although why run it out ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock)?? The guard must be travelling on it?? Even if it ran Plymouth to Newquay non stop would be of use:

Bank Holiday Monday 28th May HST:
5Z87 LAIRA TMD^▸ (Traction Maintenance Depot)  11:15 NEWQUAY    13:31 STP MO   280507 280507 EE
1Z93 NEWQUAY   13:45 PADDINGTN  19:09 STP MO   280507 280507 XX

Well the first FGW^▸ (First Great Western) out, and the last FGW back then... Would still offer a day in NQY^▸ (Newquay (Station)).....

Stopping wouldnt extend journey times much at all as the linespeed is so low.

The problem with the Newquay line is its 20 miles long and takes a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) best part of a hour! Newquay to Exeter by rail is near enough 3 hours, road can half that, especially now the A30 Goss Moor bypass is part open.

As for local traffic, Par is nothing apart from a junction, theres not a great deal there, people in Newquay dont want to visit Par, the more likely places are St.Austell and Truro, both far far easier/quicker by bus from Newquay!!

As for the intermediate shacks would love to see the usage figures over the last few years to compare, Wessex operated 8 services on a weekday one year and a fair few people used the shacks for days out in Newquay. If HSTs can again stop Saltash, St.Germans, Devonport, why cant the first one out to Newquay and the last one back call at the shacks to offer a day in Newquay for the locals??

Using a London HST^▸ (High Speed Train) as a peak stopper train from/to Exeter is still a mistake as it doesnt go direct to Exeter Central which is what the vast majority of people using these stops want. Then when do FGW^▸ (First Great Western) provide what people want??

Summer Saturdays there are x3 FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and x3 VXC^▸ (Virgin Cross Country - former franchise) services to NQY^▸ (Newquay (Station)).
Sundays there are x1 FGW HST^▸ (High Speed Train), x1 VXC and x4 FGW local.

Weekdays this year is a farce with just x4 units until July, then x4 units plus x1 HST for July/August only.

VXC Saturday services do not stop Par.

Despite the 'doubters' this is 100% happening. It will not involve FGW^▸ (First Great Western) crew in any way. The almost official comment is:

This is in effect a charter from Riviera, part of the attraction is that it saves us finding a crew as crew shortages rather than unit failures now the main reason for cancellations. Officially traction is EWS^▸ (English Welsh & Scottish Railway Ltd, now known as DB Schenker Rail (UK^▸ (United Kingdom))) 37s, rather than the Riviera heritage fleet. The aim is to break even, which seems a tad ambitious, even if full of neds as well as the bucket & spade brigade. 

It seems to be fairly common knowledge now, trains to be provided by Riviera Trains as part of their 'charter allience' involving EWS^▸ (English Welsh & Scottish Railway Ltd, now known as DB Schenker Rail (UK^▸ (United Kingdom))) who will provide the crew. Traction should be Riviera 47/8s, although EWS 37s have also been rumored. It is confirmed this WILL happen.

As already suggested the crew (well drivers at least) will be hired in. Guess it could end up with FGW^▸ (First Great Western) guards, at least for revenue, if not the whole job. Set should be top and tailed and spend the day at Weymouth running seven days a week for nine weeks. Its not just a rumor.

The affected 1A35 was 43037+43195 both Valentas

 You may have to stop doubting!! Look out for 'proper' trains in the peak 9 weeks.