IETs to Bedwyn initially delayed - now running from May 2019

[whole diary]

[Thatcham Crossing]

Long answer there ... basic answer is "it's not JUST Bedwyn" ...

Also not yet mentioned is that Bedwyn serves Marlborough, probably the largest and most affluent town in the immediate area.

Bedwyn is slightly closer to Marlborough (and closer to London, and better served) than Pewsey is.

[grahame]

Long answer there ... basic answer is "it's not JUST Bedwyn" ...

Also not yet mentioned is that Bedwyn serves Marlborough, probably the largest and most affluent town in the immediate area.

Bedwyn is slightly closer to Marlborough (and closer to London, and better served) than Pewsey is.

And much cheaper fares to London too. Example - anytime (period) return Pewsey to London - £116. Anytime (day) return, Bedwyn to London, £61.20 ... those are 2018 fares.  Slightly less marked difference on off peaks, but still a saving at Bedwyn.

[SandTEngineer]

Don't forget BEDWYN is the boundary for DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) Operation.  Extending beyond there adds costs.

[Dispatch Box]

Don't forget BEDWYN is the boundary for DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) Operation.  Extending beyond there adds costs.

Why?

[IndustryInsider]

Because it was the boundary for Network SouthEast services when that was set up and DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) services were established in the early 90s when the Turbos arrived.

There is an agreement not to extend the boundaries of DOO between the Unions and GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), so whilst not impossible, it would involve a lot of politics.

[TaplowGreen]

There is an agreement not to extend the boundaries of DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) between the Unions and GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), so whilst not impossible, it would involve a lot of politics.

aka a lot of noise about safety & a strike threat, which would magically disappear when additional pay is offered! 

[ellendune]

... which would magically disappear when additional pay is offered! 

Possibly not given recent experience on Southern and South Western

[TonyK]

Yes, indeed.  I should’ve added politics to my list on my previous post. 

Dunno about about added - it should have been the first item on the paper! But for politics, it would probably have been all electric decades ago, with a mixture of fast and stopping trains throughout.

[IndustryInsider]

... which would magically disappear when additional pay is offered! 

Possibly not given recent experience on Southern and South Western

Yes indeed.  GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have been wise (and a little fortunate) in not getting bogged down in lengthy disputes with their new trains.  They'd be foolish to risk the relatively good relationship with the unions in that regard with trying for an extension to Westbury, which although desirable, is not of the up-most importance.

[eightonedee]

Yes indeed.  GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have been wise (and a little fortunate) in not getting bogged down in lengthy disputes with their new trains.  They'd be foolish to risk the relatively good relationship with the unions in that regard with trying for an extension to Westbury, which although desirable, is not of the up-most importance.

It is though sad that this lack of flexibility hinders extending a well-tried working practice a little further west to help make a better service down the Berks & Hants viable. 

[ellendune]

Yes indeed.  GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have been wise (and a little fortunate) in not getting bogged down in lengthy disputes with their new trains.  They'd be foolish to risk the relatively good relationship with the unions in that regard with trying for an extension to Westbury, which although desirable, is not of the up-most importance.

It is though sad that this lack of flexibility hinders extending a well-tried working practice a little further west to help make a better service down the Berks & Hants viable. 

Yes a wise and fortunate position to take.

However, sad because the problems with DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) seem to be more to do with the busy stations nearer to London. Stations such as Bedwyn and Pewsey seem to be more suited to DOO. 

[IndustryInsider]

I’m hearing through the railway grapevine that IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) will operate the Bedwyn’s from the May timetable.  If DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) monitors haven’t been cleared by then, they will be worked with Train Managers.

[Reading General]

I may be letting the effects of the early 90's rose tinted specs get in the way here, but I seem to remember that in the network southeast days locomotive pulled trains from london down this line (semi-fast, Theale, Thatcham, etc.) continued to and finished at Westbury. Does this mean the Bedwyn termination began when the Turbos arrived? I recall signs at the top of the steps to the down platform at Theale suggesting trains for Newbury and Westbury long after the turbos had arrived.

[grahame]

I may be letting the effects of the early 90's rose tinted specs get in the way here, but I seem to remember that in the network southeast days locomotive pulled trains from london down this line (semi-fast, Theale, Thatcham, etc.) continued to and finished at Westbury. Does this mean the Bedwyn termination began when the Turbos arrived? I recall signs at the top of the steps to the down platform at Theale suggesting trains for Newbury and Westbury long after the turbos had arrived.

Here's the timetable from 51 years ago.



In those days, the only service from the west to call at Bedwyn was at 08:10 - all the rest started there. And the only westbound service to carry on beyond after calling was at 18:50.   The service has doubled since then, with services from the west calling at 06:28 and 06:44, and westbound services departing at 19:27 and 19:34.

I'll see if I can find anything for intermediate years.

If DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) monitors haven’t been cleared by then, they will be worked with Train Managers.

If that happens, it will be very interesting to see what effect it has on revenue.

[grahame]

Summer 1989 has table 116 as "London and Reading -> Westbury and Birmingham" so would be a major scan to post it all here. Bedwyn served by a variety of terminating locals from Reading and from Newbury, with a single westward departure at 19:11. In the other direction, the only arrival from the west at 07:17.

Even harder to follow in 1998 as table 116 has become "London and Reading -> Bedwyn and Birmingham"