Cotswold Line - 2018 cancellation and amendments log

[whole diary]

[charles_uk]

This one is an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) (and going to be cosy for a Friday as far as it goes):

17:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 20:26 will be terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcester Foregate Street, Malvern Link, Great Malvern, Colwall, Ledbury and Hereford but will call additionally at Didcot Parkway.
It is being delayed at London Paddington.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Will be formed of 9 coaches instead of 5.

[IndustryInsider]

Looking back over this thread, thare are fewer posts than before (used to be daily)- can we deduce that the service is getting slightly better? (The emphasis is on the "slightly") The cancellations now seem to be more due to train faults rather than staffing issues. Are the recent train faults IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) or HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train)?

Yes, there has been a slight improvement, mostly due to Worcester depot finally getting everyone trained up.  Bristol depot are also covering much more work than has historically been the case whilst Oxford drivers go through the IET course.  Not out of the woods by any means, but better than it was. 

The key for the next few months is whether enough drivers at Oxford can be trained in time to cover the extra IET operated services that are commencing shortly as more HSTs depart.

[1st fan]

The 11:22 today from Paddington was running late due to a sick HST^▸ (High Speed Train). We never made up the lost time and the train was cancelled after Shrub Hill. The tourists I sat across the aisle from were very impressed with 1st. They had done the trip on "another train type" and hadn't enjoyed that one as much because it wasn't as luxurious on board. Interestingly the 10:22 also had a similar delay. Both fared better than the 06:22 which was cancelled at Paddington

[charles_uk]

Although, as has been mentioned, the service seems to be getting better, over the last couple of weeks, more cancellations and amendments have been appearing in the morning peak service towards London. Today's example being:

04:47 Hereford to London Paddington due 07:52 will no longer call at Pershore, Kingham and Hanborough.
It has been delayed at Hereford and is now 18 minutes late.
This is due to a fault on this train.

From experience of previous years, it's as we get into October, and poor rail conditions start to become an issue, that the service starts to deteriorate significantly.

[IndustryInsider]

I am hopeful that autumn won’t be as bad as previous years along the route, as significant vegetation removal has taken place since last year.

[charles_uk]

Pretty much a cancellation:

18:29 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:05 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.

It will no longer call at Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough, Oxford, Reading, Slough and London Paddington.
This is due to train crew being delayed.

Last Updated:03/09/2018 18:44

[Worcester_Passenger]

Followed by the rather curious

19:32 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 21:53
An additional train service has been planned to operate as shown 19:32 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 21:53.
Last Updated:03/09/2018 19:37

[charles_uk]

Just turned up on JourneyCheck ten minutes after service was due to depart:

15:22 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 17:28 has been cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Last Updated:05/09/2018 15:31

[Worcester_Passenger]

Thursday Sep 6:

10:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 13:47 will be terminated at Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a problem with line-side equipment.
Last Updated:06/09/2018 11:50

15:14 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:28 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a problem with line-side equipment.
Last Updated:06/09/2018 11:50

[charles_uk]

Things are certainly getting better. However:

17:52 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 20:06 has been cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

and

20:59 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 23:36 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

The wording of the 17:52 and timing - "Last Updated:13/09/2018 18:11" - suggests it was a late cancellation.

[charles_uk]

No line updates on JourneyCheck but a speed restriction due to defective track between Oxford and Evesham is causing some degree of congestion including so far:

15:22 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 17:28 will no longer call at Slough.
It has been delayed between Worcester Shrub Hill and Oxford and is now 45 minutes late.
This is due to a speed restriction over defective track.

15:51 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 17:59 will be terminated at Reading.
It will no longer call at Slough and London Paddington.
It has been delayed at Charlbury and is now 45 minutes late.
This is due to a speed restriction over defective track.

17:38 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 19:03 will be terminated at Reading.
It will no longer call at Slough and London Paddington.
This is due to a speed restriction over defective track.

outward bound 15:50 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains):MIM surprisingly going beyond Oxford and arriving at MIM 28 minutes late

19:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 22:52 will be started from Reading.
It will no longer call at London Paddington and Slough.
This is due to a speed restriction over defective track.

later update

Line update now on JourneyCheck:

Delays to services between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill
Due to a speed restriction over defective track between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill trains have to run at reduced speed.
Train services running through these stations may be delayed by up to 45 minutes. Disruption is expected until 20:30 14/09.
Last Updated:14/09/2018 18:18

and the 15:14 Hereford to Paddington has just come through Wolvercote Junction 58 minutes late having been almost on time at Ascott-under-Wychwood.

Days like this certainly support the case for further redoubling at the eastern end of the line as per IndustryInsider's new thread today.

further update

18:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 21:32 will be diverted between Reading and Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will no longer call at Oxford, Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham and Pershore but will call additionally at Didcot Parkway.
It is being delayed between Reading and Worcester Shrub Hill and is now expected to be 15 minutes late.
This is due to urgent repairs to the track.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 8.
Last Updated:14/09/2018 18:53

another update

and for those who wanted to go beyond Oxford on the 18:22...

19:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 22:52 will be started from Reading.
It will no longer call at London Paddington and Slough.
It will be delayed at Reading and is expected to be 25 minutes late.
This is due to a speed restriction over defective track.

and has just left Reading 34 minutes late, with further delays of up to 45 minutes expected beyond Hanborough.

[IndustryInsider]

The condition of the track along the Cotswold Line is truly shocking in places.

[Worcester_Passenger]

14:35 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 17:26 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:15/09/2018 09:57

15:13 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:27 will be terminated at Reading.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:15/09/2018 10:13

16:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 19:50
Facilities on the 16:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 19:50.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9.
Last Updated:15/09/2018 05:54

19:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 22:24 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:15/09/2018 10:12

20:20 Hereford to London Paddington due 23:50.
Facilities on the 20:20 Hereford to London Paddington due 23:50.
Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 9.
Last Updated:15/09/2018 05:54

22:41 Great Malvern to Evesham due 23:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:15/09/2018 10:12

[Worcester_Passenger]

Sunday September 16:

16:37 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 19:23 will be started from Reading.
This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.
Last Updated:16/09/2018 04:16

18:37 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 21:07 will be started from Reading.
This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.
Last Updated:16/09/2018 04:16

[Worcester_Passenger]

Tuesday September 18:

06:42 Hereford to London Paddington due 09:46 will be diverted between Worcester Shrub Hill and Reading.
It will no longer call at Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough and Oxford.
It has been previously delayed, is being further delayed between Worcester Shrub Hill and Reading and is now expected to be 80 minutes late.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:18/09/2018 07:56