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AFAIAA the only additional service terminating at Exeter is the normal Summer Fridays only 1436 London Paddington-Exeter and 1820 return. The HST▸ (High Speed Train) to run this service is, as it was last year, being sourced by running the 1551 London Paddington-Worcester and 1849 return as 180 on Fridays in the high summer. Does anyone have any experience as to how busy it was last year when it was a 180? As a consequence of the additional 180 required for that service it appears that the 1221 London Paddington-Great Malvern will be a Turbo. This goes on to form the halts train so has to be a 2-car, so is the 1221 London-Great Malvern really going to be booked a 2-car throughout on Fridays in the Summer? Hopefully another set will be attached as far as Oxford or that could be a little cosy.
The 15:51 was very busy last summer when it was a Class 180. So much so, that I remember one of our posters saying he preferred it being a Turbo - which it was on a couple of occasions! I predict there will be people standing from London as far as Moreton-In-Marsh at least. Pretty poor form, but it just goes to show how the utilisation of stock is at breaking point.
Today's 15:51 was the first time I have ever seen a service being described as "full & standing" on the information screens at Oxford station. I'd managed to avoid this service for the last two Fridays but it was more than just a little cosy today. I appreciate that FGW▸ (First Great Western) do want to provide an additional service to the west country on Fridays but surely there has to be a better option than taking the HST from the busy Friday PAD» (Paddington (London) - next trains)-WOS» (Worcester Shrub Hill - next trains) service?
