15:41 Bedwyn to London Paddington due 16:52
15:41 Bedwyn to London Paddington due 16:52 will call additionally at Newbury Racecourse, Midgham and Aldermaston.
This is due to damage to the overhead electric wires.
Background ... there's a problem (somewhere near Reading West?) with the overhead lines, and the Reading to Newbury local service can't run as it's electric trains these dye, and there's no power, So -
sensible decision - the
IETs▸ that normally run fast through Newbury Racecourse, Midgham and Aldermaston are calling at those stations to provide an alternative service.
I am posting on the TransWilts board because this is an example of what can be done. IETs have automatic doors, selective door opening and doors in the front vehicle and so they can make extra stops at smaller stations when the local service is not running for some reason or another. It's also made more practical by the far better acceleration of IETs so each stop costs even less time.
So .. should local services from Swindon to Westbury calling at Chippenham, Melksham and Trowbridge be withdrawn (due to the line being needed for IET services from London to Exeter and beyond, can the 2 hourly semifast services please call at Chippenham, Melksham and Trowbridge on their way through - just like the Bedwyn services are calling at Aldermaston, Midgham and Newbury Racecourse today? Thank you!
Please note - not a call for every West Country express to call ... just the semifasts, rather as is happening this afternoon in the Kennet Valley.
