Easier interchange at Taunton

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Ooops sorry - I misread the map on Nationalrail.co.uk, and thought that the ticket office and main car park was on the north - up - side of the track. Google maps suggests some station access on north side - is that right?

The northern side access that I know of is through the lower level ticket hall / office and barriers - although there are no tracks to cross, use of a lift or stairs is required to platform 5, just as it is to platform 4 - the difference being you a few yards to walk the tracks to get to that lift and stair case.

I thought I was the cynical one. I don't think Starbucks would have such control over railway operations!

As I said, from 21st May the up Royal Duchy is due to call platform 4.

I recall that historically all trains had to stop at Swindon for 10 minutes so that the refreshment folks could sell them refreshments, so there is a precedent.   And if I was looking to invest in a franchise, I would want some sort of assurance / guarantee that my landlord and other clients of his weren't going to make changes that would route the passing trade away!

[JayMac]

I recall that historically all trains had to stop at Swindon for 10 minutes so that the refreshment folks could sell them refreshments, so there is a precedent.   And if I was looking to invest in a franchise, I would want some sort of assurance / guarantee that my landlord and other clients of his weren't going to make changes that would route the passing trade away!

I'm confused now. OP^▸ (Original Poster / topic starter) starts with a passenger friendly suggestion to make interchange easier. Then, when it's confirmed that's what is happening, you express concern that Starbucks might lose trade. 

I think Starbucks on platform 5 will survive despite potentially losing a bit of trade when the up Royal Duchy switches its call to P4. If the loss is too much, if they are concerned that Royal Duchy passengers won't get their caffeine fix, they can always lobby Network Rail for a small unit to be built on the island. 

[grahame]

I'm confused now. OP^▸ (Original Poster / topic starter) starts with a passenger friendly suggestion to make interchange easier. Then, when it's confirmed that's what is happening, you express concern that Starbucks might lose trade. 

Not concern from me - an asking if Starbucks might be.

[JayMac]

I don't think they'll be trembling in their boots in Seattle. 

[stuving]

It's not an obvious track arrangement, is it? We are used now to the practice of only installing the S&C^▸ (Settle and Carlisle ) needed for normal operation, and not valuing flexibility, but it's hard to see what normal operations it was built for. I mean, if P6 is for terminators to or from Bristolwards, why isn't is accessible off the Down Lines? There was a half-plan to do that ten years ago, but no sign of it in the last Route Study. And if all four through tracks need to be signalled in the Up direction, why are only two available the other way?

And as for the track names - if the third track south of the Up and Down Mains west of the station is called Down/Up Relief, and the P5 track is the Up Relief, why is there no path between them? Very odd, and hardly a Victorian hangover as it was only four-tracked less than 100 years ago.

[4064ReadingAbbey]

I would agree concerning facilities on 5 v facilities on 4 though.  Perhaps it's part of the refreshment franchise agreement that through train must use that platform (and two fingers to passengers who are connecting!)

I thought I was the cynical one. I don't think Starbucks would have such control over railway operations!

As I said, from 21st May the up Royal Duchy is due to call platform 4.

The proprietor of the refreshment rooms at Swindon certainly did in the days of Isambard Kingdom...

...so there is a precedent. 

Added in edit: Oops! I see that Grahame got there before me. It's these 10 minute pauses that throw the system...

[bobm]

I don't think they'll be trembling in their boots in Seattle. 

Wonder if they will be "sleepless"?

[JayMac]

The proprietor of the refreshment rooms at Swindon certainly did in the days of Isambard Kingdom...

...so there is a precedent. 

An arrangement that IKB^▸ (Isambard Kingdom Brunel) was none too pleased with apparently.

And, even if the Starbucks at Taunton station may lose out on a few Venti, sugar-free, non-fat, vanilla soy, double shot, decaf, no foam, extra hot, Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha with light whip and extra syrup orders, they are at least serving real coffee.

The 'coffee' in the Brunel era refreshment rooms at Swindon was of questionable quality. IKB complained to the proprietor about it:

Dear Sir,

I assure you that Mr Player was wrong in supposing that I thought you purchased inferior coffee. I thought I said to him that I was surprised you should buy such poor roasted corn. I did not believe you had such a thing as coffee in the place; I am certain I never tasted any. I have long ceased to make complaints at Swindon. I avoid taking anything there if I can help it.

Yours faithfully,

I K Brunel