As this ties in with the start of the December timetable, it could be a similar situation to May when the timetable was uploaded to RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) and then swiftly removed.

There's still no confirmation of an official start date so I wouldn't take this information as any form of revelation.

The sidings have been disconnected but the crossover remains.

These are what Train Planners call 'Q paths'. They may not be required but they're there in system and can be used at short-notice.

For example, there is an unadvertised Q path for the Night Riviera to go via the Southern route on Sundays. It is hardly ever needed but its there for when it is. The same principle applies for these Okehampton trains in that they're there and ready for when services can start.

The issue with the booking system has now been fixed and berths can be booked through the usual channels again.

Its also why you'll find exactly the same seats on Azumas^▸ (Brand name for Class 80x trains on LNER), Paragons and Novas. GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) would have had no choice in the seats at all.

Track renewals between Bourne End and Marlow for the duration with full branch line closures at weekends during those days.

Pedant alert: Tiverton Junction wasn't one of the stations closed in 1964. It closed 22 years later on 11 May 1986 with Tiverton Parkway opening the next day.

The line is actually closed until Sunday 29 March.

There will also be diversions continuing into the following week due to severe speed restrictions as a result of the work.

You would also need to re-instate the second platform at Yeoford as well as extend Crediton's signalling capabilities out to Coleford.

All completely possible I'd imagine, but someone would need to foot the bill.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the 0637 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)-PNZ is planned as a 5-car throughout. It certainly doesn't warrant any additional capacity from the times I've been on it.

Hopefully main line figures will climb next year on the back of the increased services in May 2019.

In order to keep rebranding costs to a mimimum, I belive rebranding trains into GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) livery was only done to trains that met either of the two criteria:

- They were due to stay beyond 2020 and required modification to fall in line with disability regulations
- They were due a repaint as part of their maintenance cycle

I believe the only ones left in FGW^▸ (First Great Western) colours are old HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) which are due to go off-lease post 2019 and the odd Turbo/150 which had already been modified and had a fresh lick of FGW paint just before GWR started. They'll be GWRised once their repaint cycle comes up again.

800001 entered revenue earning service for the first time today, completing GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)'s fleet of 93 IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train). Its currently paired up with 800010

So the 'nice refurbished, smooth, warm, comfortable Mk 3s' have been replaced by nice refurbished, smooth, warm, comfortable Mk 3s that will probably run more reliably!

The height of some internal vestibules is an issue for those of us who are gifted with height. I'd much rather sit on the floor than have to stand up in a vestibule. The saloons are fine on most trains.

One thing I really struggle with on most trains is leg room. IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) have excellent provisions, even on the standard (non-priority) seats. However, it is very much the exception to the rule. I don't like occupying the priority seats but these are generally the only places I can sit comfortably.