Advert - take the train to Gatwick. ALL the way from home to Gatwick!!

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Not good, but only one cancellation every three and a half hours in each direction, one in every seven. Presumably not enough Turbos or crews available.

Agreed.

One in seven passengers hits a cancellation, which puts them back 30 minutes, so the average passenger is delayed by 4.28 minutes.   

Interesting to do the same calculation for my local line ...

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between Gatwick Airport and Reading

Due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time between Gatwick Airport and Reading trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines.

Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled. Disruption is expected until 19:00 08/11.

Customer Advice
Apologies to customers, some of our trains have broken down and we don't have enough trains in our GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) fleet to operate a full service on the North Downs Line. Therefore some trains will be cancelled.

[Fourbee]

Cancellations to services between Gatwick Airport and Reading

Due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time between Gatwick Airport and Reading trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines.

Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled. Disruption is expected until 19:00 08/11.

Customer Advice
Apologies to customers, some of our trains have broken down and we don't have enough trains in our GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) fleet to operate a full service on the North Downs Line. Therefore some trains will be cancelled.

We obviously see the text in italic a fair bit, but I think that's the first time I've seen the part in bold. I reckon we could just use the bit in bold from now on as the part in italic is trotted out so much as to be implausible.

[John D]

Cancellations to services between Gatwick Airport and Reading

Due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time between Gatwick Airport and Reading trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines.

Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled. Disruption is expected until 19:00 08/11.

Customer Advice
Apologies to customers, some of our trains have broken down and we don't have enough trains in our GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) fleet to operate a full service on the North Downs Line. Therefore some trains will be cancelled.

We obviously see the text in italic a fair bit, but I think that's the first time I've seen the part in bold. I reckon we could just use the bit in bold from now on as the part in italic is trotted out so much as to be implausible.

Someone will have to explain to me why more trains needing repairs, means all trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines.

Are they all suddenly not certified for normal speed, it is not like they are substituting with a slower train.   

I also don't like reference to all lines, is that all England, all UK^▸ (United Kingdom), or simply a badly worded that route only.

Surely if it is due to we have flattened some wheels why not say so, or explain why they can't swap in some good ones (have insufficient spares) and although it happens every year, explain why never bought extra wheel lathe (having sufficient serviceable trains in not a priority), or whatever the reason is.

[grahame]

Someone will have to explain to me why more trains needing repairs, means all trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines.

Are they all suddenly not certified for normal speed, it is not like they are substituting with a slower train.   

I also don't like reference to all lines, is that all England, all UK^▸ (United Kingdom), or simply a badly worded that route only.

It's badly worded - in fact awfully worded.

There are two classes of turbo trains - the 165 and the 166, and the top speed in 75 mph and 90 mph I believe, so - yes - it is quite possible that a trains timed for a 90 mph unit which needs repair (or is overdue maintenance and cannot be used until that happens) is getting replaced by one with a 75 mph limit.   Perhaps others "in the know" can confirm this?

[eightonedee]

According to Wikipedia, all GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Turbos are rated at 90mph. Although since I retired two years ago I no longer travel the North Downs daily, generally around Reading and the Thames Valley I only see 165s (when I look/notice - to be fair, not often! I'm grateful that most of my journeys are on Electrostars). I think most 166s "went west", but no doubt more westerly based colleagues will confirm.

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between Reading and Gatwick Airport

Due to a shortage of train crew between Reading and Gatwick Airport fewer trains are able to run on some lines.

Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day
.
Customer Advice
Due to train crew shortages throughout the day, a number of train services operating between Reading - Gatwick Airport (both directions) have been cancelled/ altered.