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Mookiemoo
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« Reply #75 on: December 28, 2007, 20:13:01 » |
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When FGW▸ used MK2's when the line was closed between Plymouth and St Austell, the MK2's seemed to please customers a lot. All the seats where at tables, they had 6 carraiges so everybody thought FGW had increased capacity, basically it improved the image of FGW. And FGW could use the Riviera Alliance or someone like that to operate the services.
The only thing is Network Rail won't let FGW run Loco Hauled trains.
Why? It may seem a like a stupid question but... |
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Ditched former sig - now I need to think of something amusing - brain hurts -I'll steal from the master himself - Einstein:
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
"Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love"
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Conner
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« Reply #76 on: December 29, 2007, 09:26:01 » |
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I don't know why Network Rail don't allow FGW▸ to run Loco-Hauled trains. They've stopped attempts at doing it several times, recently between Weston-Super-Mare and Bristol at the start of the new timetable.
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Timmer
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« Reply #77 on: December 29, 2007, 10:26:41 » |
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Why?
It may seem a like a stupid question but...
This probably isnt the right answer to your question but the relationship between FGW▸ and Network Rail isn't very good and thats being polite about it. Yes FGW can very much point the finger at Network Rail for delays caused between London-Bristol/South Wales but a lot of that has to do with Reading being over capacity. What they can't blame Network Rail for is the problems on the ex-Wessex services as they aren't responsible for FGW not having enough rolling stock and enough traincrew to run a consistently decent service which can be relyed on. |
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Btline
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« Reply #78 on: December 29, 2007, 16:18:34 » |
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I think that it is silly, all those Mk2▸ coaches rusting away, while commuters have to be crammed into a 2 car 165!
What about DVTs‡? Would they be needed?
I heard an interview where the MD Andrew Haines said "we are scoring the land for extra rolling stock. However, it is currently not available."
Well Mr Haines, what about loco hauled Mk2s?
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Timmer
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« Reply #79 on: December 29, 2007, 16:59:17 » |
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I think that it is silly, all those Mk2▸ coaches rusting away, while commuters have to be crammed into a 2 car 165!
What about DVTs‡? Would they be needed?
I heard an interview where the MD Andrew Haines said "we are scoring the land for extra rolling stock. However, it is currently not available."
Well Mr Haines, what about loco hauled Mk2s?
Its definately the answer in the short term freeing up units to bolster other routes until new rolling stock is built. Wales and West used to have a loco hauled set which they used mainly in the summer months on the Bristol-Weymouth route but it was kept on and used in the winter months as well to increase capacity on busy services. |
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mada
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« Reply #80 on: December 29, 2007, 19:45:18 » |
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I think that it is silly, all those Mk2▸ coaches rusting away, while commuters have to be crammed into a 2 car 165!
What about DVTs‡? Would they be needed?
I heard an interview where the MD Andrew Haines said "we are scoring the land for extra rolling stock. However, it is currently not available."
Well Mr Haines, what about loco hauled Mk2s?
Its definately the answer in the short term freeing up units to bolster other routes until new rolling stock is built. Wales and West used to have a loco hauled set which they used mainly in the summer months on the Bristol-Weymouth route but it was kept on and used in the winter months as well to increase capacity on busy services. According to Wikipedia they rented it from another company called "Fragonset" rather than a ROSCO» . |
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Btline
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« Reply #81 on: December 30, 2007, 18:11:03 » |
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Just an update on the poll 30/12/07: Most people think something should be done, although a handful think that FGW▸ should be left as it is. A number of people think that the franchise should be split in two, with most of these not wanting FGW to have either half. A few people think that the government should take over. An interesting response! It seems that nothing can/will be done, so lets just hope for improvements! Happy New Year!  |
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grahame
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« Reply #82 on: December 30, 2007, 18:24:00 » |
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It seems that nothing can/will be done, so lets just hope for improvements! Happy New Year! Actually Bill, more people have voted for "let FGW▸ improve" than anything else ... although you could consider the other votes fragmented. You're probably right that nothing can be done at the structural level, but a heck of a lot can be done in terms of making customer inputs to make it very clear to all parties concerned that they should be running a service that's fit for it's customers. First Great Western are producing a newsheet called "Customer Matters." Let's make it our mission in the new year to have them consider that "Customers Matter".Happy New Year to you too ... and to all our members and guests. |
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« Last Edit: December 30, 2007, 18:25:39 by grahame »
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Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
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Conner
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« Reply #83 on: December 30, 2007, 18:42:30 » |
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First Great Western are producing a newsheet called "Customer Matters."
But they haven't released the December edition, shows how much they actually mean that. |
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Timmer
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« Reply #84 on: December 30, 2007, 19:48:31 » |
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But they haven't released the December edition, shows how much they actually mean that.
Yes I couldn't find a copy this month so lets hope for a bumper edition in January  |
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vacman
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« Reply #85 on: December 30, 2007, 21:45:45 » |
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I think that it is silly, all those Mk2▸ coaches rusting away, while commuters have to be crammed into a 2 car 165!
What about DVTs‡? Would they be needed?
I heard an interview where the MD Andrew Haines said "we are scoring the land for extra rolling stock. However, it is currently not available."
Well Mr Haines, what about loco hauled Mk2s?
Its definately the answer in the short term freeing up units to bolster other routes until new rolling stock is built. Wales and West used to have a loco hauled set which they used mainly in the summer months on the Bristol-Weymouth route but it was kept on and used in the winter months as well to increase capacity on busy services. According to Wikipedia they rented it from another company called "Fragonset" rather than a ROSCO» . They were the days! it was under Wessex Trains that class 31's were hired on a "spot hire" basis, the same as now when they hire Riviera trains MKII's and EWS▸ 67's , they were used on Fridays only for the 1200 Bristol-Brighton and the return working and also for summer services on the Weymouth-Bristol services and for ad-hoc fottball specials etc, it all ended when FGW▸ took over! |
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Jim
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« Reply #86 on: December 30, 2007, 21:52:59 » |
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According to Wikipedia they rented it from another company called "Fragonset" rather than a ROSCO» .
They were the days! it was under Wessex Trains that class 31's were hired on a "spot hire" basis, the same as now when they hire Riviera trains MKII's and EWS▸ 67's , they were used on Fridays only for the 1200 Bristol-Brighton and the return working and also for summer services on the Weymouth-Bristol services and for ad-hoc fottball specials etc, it all ended when FGW▸ took over! [/quote] It was indeed fabulous having a set of peds based 6mile away! |
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Cheers Jim AG's most famous quote "It'll be better next week" |
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smokey
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« Reply #87 on: January 01, 2008, 22:40:39 » |
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Best thing FGW▸ can do BESIDES HAND BACK THE KEYS TO DFT▸ , IS SACK THEIR ROSTERING TEAM Most problems seem to be Train Crew Rostering, I've known Trains to Be Cancelled because of Shortage of Train Crew when the Cover turn man was sitting in the mess room awaiting instructions just yards from the cancelled train.
I also heard of a Driver from Depot A sitting in his cab in Station A waiting to leave when a Driver from Depot B has walked up to work the train and whilst they were trying to sort out who should work it a Driver from Depot C has turned up to work the same train, and he had been sent 100 odd miles by Taxi to work the train. With 3 drivers for one train it's a case of NO S**T SHERLOCK that there's a shortage of Train Crew. and it's the poor public that will end up paying for all these **** ups.
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Btline
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« Reply #88 on: January 11, 2008, 18:15:59 » |
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I have now shut the poll.
It is clear that a large majority want something to happen.
Perhaps it is unlikely...
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smokey
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« Reply #89 on: January 11, 2008, 18:42:03 » |
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What is this Rubbish about Network Rail won't let First Great Western run Loco Hauled Coaching Stock?
What's that train that runs at 23.45 from Paddington, 22.00 from Penzance then, CORNISH MIST?
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Poll
