|
Title: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on December 30, 2025, 20:37:04 Here's another new topic I've primed, ready. CfN. ;)
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on December 30, 2025, 21:21:45 Here's another new topic I've primed, ready. CfN. ;) Thank you. Let's hope it's much much much much quieter than this year. Lisa and I celebrating the New Year tonight - firstly because we like to be ahead of the game, and secondly because I want to be up early on 1st January to catch the first train of the year! Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on January 01, 2026, 11:52:41 Quote 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault on this train. Quote 13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault on this train. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: TaplowGreen on January 01, 2026, 12:34:19 18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21
18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21 will be cancelled. This is due to a shortage of train crew. 20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 will be cancelled. This is due to a shortage of train crew. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 01, 2026, 16:07:44 18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21
Quote 18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21 will be cancelled. This is due to a shortage of train crew. Additional Information Replacement road transport has been arranged to run in lieu of this train service. There will be a Travel Southwest minibus running. Please check the stations Onward Travel Information poster and wait for the replacement road transport at the designated stop. The replacement road transport may run later than the advertised train times owing to the additional time taken by road between stations and the time required for loading and unloading at each stop. You may also use your ticket, at no extra cost, on train services changing at Bath Spa Additional information added just after 15:50. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 01, 2026, 17:02:21 and
Quote 16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled. This is due to a broken down train. Last Updated:01/01/2026 16:15 No alternative offered Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: TaplowGreen on January 01, 2026, 20:20:52 21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58 will be cancelled. This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time. 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 will be cancelled. This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 01, 2026, 20:49:43 A ... wonderful day ...
(https://www.wellho.info/pix/faway.jpg) ... four bus journeys, and supposed to be four journeys by train but one turned into this ... (https://www.wellho.info/pix/fhome.jpg). Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Mark A on January 01, 2026, 22:19:00 Is that a taxi dropping its sole occupant down at the station rather than at their preferred destination?
Mark Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 02, 2026, 04:08:40 Is that a taxi dropping its sole occupant down at the station rather than at their preferred destination? Mark No - that is a taxi dropping three occupants at the station. On the cusp of a delay-repay claim - 15 minutes late. The taxi was also charged with picking any passenger from Melksham to Trowbridge, so there was logic in him going there. Fuller reports to follow - a very interesting "state of the nation" set of learning journeys! Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 02, 2026, 07:25:48 Here is a summary of yesterday:
(https://www.wellho.info/pix/mkm_rtt_20260101.jpg) 1 planned cancellation because (?) it was a public holiday 2 cancellations described as "staff shortage" 6 cancellations described as "fault on this train" 9 services ran 50% cancellation rate Of note from personal experience * the 13 minute delay to the 07:21 (2M81) was due to 6M50 (Westbury to Bescot) which passed through Melksham at 07:09 (35 minutes early - it was due at 07:43) but then got held on the single line approaching Thingley, blocking 2M81 on the line approaching Bradford Junction. At the time the train was due, the display on the platform at Melksham said: (https://www.wellho.info/pix/mkm_stn1_20260101.jpg) * I was returning to Melksham on 2M30, and arrived into Chippehnam from Bristol (separate story) at 17:34. I knew to go over to the gateline and ask staff for help. The announcement system was advising people that the train was cancelled and "The next fastest train will be the 19:00 to Salisbury" - correct advice, but not telling people who didn't want to wait for nearly an hour and a half that they could seek further assistance if they did not want to wait for the train. (https://www.wellho.info/pix/cpm_stn2_20260101.jpg) Capacity was also limited between Bristol and Bath yesterday afternoon, with single line working on one line while a safety check was made. Altenate London <-> Bristol trains routed via Bristol Parkway, and just one an hour not 3 running from Westbury to Bristol. One has to wonder as a passenger why one of the trains stuck at Westbury could not have been used in place of the faulty one on the Swindon service. My taxi driver from Chippehnam was metering his run, and GWR will be invoiced just shy of £45 - not a cheap ride at Bank Holiday rates! Final thought - why when a train is cancelled does it say "Calling at" on the boards - the whole point is that it is NOT calling at and really it should say "not calling as planned at" should it not? (https://www.wellho.info/pix/cpm_stn1_20260101.jpg) Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: ChrisB on January 02, 2026, 11:16:14 Is that a taxi dropping its sole occupant down at the station rather than at their preferred destination? Errr......your ticket is to the *station* - not your 'preferred destination'. Taxi drivers are usually required to meter to the station & won't be paid any additional mileage incurred - so don't be surprised if your taxi will only go to the station. This is definitely the case when carrying more than 1 passenger - each passenger can not insist that they are dropped at their 'preferred destination' - but at the station concerned. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 02, 2026, 13:25:17 Quote 21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:16 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:16 will be cancelled. This is due to a shortage of train crew. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 02, 2026, 13:28:57 Is that a taxi dropping its sole occupant down at the station rather than at their preferred destination? Errr......your ticket is to the *station* - not your 'preferred destination'. Taxi drivers are usually required to meter to the station & won't be paid any additional mileage incurred - so don't be surprised if your taxi will only go to the station. This is definitely the case when carrying more than 1 passenger - each passenger can not insist that they are dropped at their 'preferred destination' - but at the station concerned. I would agree with that. And in this case he had to do a drop off and perhaps a pick up too. They are averse to letting you off early - "you're driving past the end of my street - can I get off here?" either - but then so are buses, and have you ever asked a train not due to call at Dilton Marsh to make a stop there, even if the local train that should call is cancelled? Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on January 02, 2026, 13:59:39 Is that a taxi dropping its sole occupant down at the station rather than at their preferred destination? They are averse to letting you off earlyTitle: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Mark A on January 02, 2026, 14:09:09 Yes, near-midnight Yorkshire taxi person on a railway contract working on a dirty night took me to the door rather than to the... awkwardly situated station some distance from the village.
Mark Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: ChrisB on January 02, 2026, 15:46:09 I guess that drivers are able to volunteer to do that - as long as their mileage claim to the TOC isn't fraudulent - but the way you posed the question Mark A - it read as though you thought there was a duty on the driver if you so asked? There definitely isn't.
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Timmer on January 02, 2026, 17:15:29 I suspect the 16.23 to Swindon, a 2 car 158, was rather cozy as it would have had passengers off 13.55 Paignton to London. This train terminated at Westbury because of the track issue between Westbury and Pewsey. See:
https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=31378.msg370461#new Transwilts to the rescue! Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Trowres on January 02, 2026, 22:10:09 ... Transwilts to the rescue! Quote 21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58 will be cancelled. 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:16 will be cancelled. This is due to a shortage of train crew. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 06, 2026, 08:45:56 Quote 07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:34 07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:34 has been delayed at Westbury and is now 10 minutes late. This is due to a points failure. In amongst all the other - chaos - on GWR this is minor Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on January 06, 2026, 10:10:14 A bit OTT but the central waiting room at Chippenham was flippin cold yesterday evening while waiting for the 1735 Swindon-Westbury. I can understand the heating having trouble keeping it warm in sub-zero temperatures, but the blowers weren't even blowing - something was broken. I reported it to the staff on the main exit barrier (across the bridge) who said they would investigate.
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 09, 2026, 07:41:51 With Storm Goretti ranging, it's amazing that the only change on trains that run via the Westbury - Swindon line is:
Quote 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill. It will no longer call at Worcester Foregate Street. This is due to severe weather. To some extent, a technical report as far as the TransWilts is concerned - through passengers from South of Swindon to Foregate Street are few and far between, and the 12 minute scheduled wait at Shrub Hill on this train means that it's not attractive anyway. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 10, 2026, 07:49:35 Quote 08:44 Chippenham to Westbury due 09:19 08:44 Chippenham to Westbury due 09:19 will be cancelled. This is due to a broken down train. Last Updated:10/01/2026 07:20 Quote 07:45 Westbury to Chippenham due 08:11 07:45 Westbury to Chippenham due 08:11 will be cancelled. This is due to a broken down train. Last Updated:10/01/2026 07:05 Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 10, 2026, 08:40:33 Quote 07:45 Westbury to Chippenham due 08:11 07:45 Westbury to Chippenham due 08:11 will be cancelled. This is due to a broken down train. Last Updated:10/01/2026 07:05 Here is that same train 4 weeks ago - 14th December. At that date, it was running to both Chippenham and Swindon. For today, it had been cut back to Chippenham because of planned engineering, and then less than an hour before it was due, it was cancelled. (https://www.wellho.info/pix/to_swi_20251214.jpg) Image © 2026 by Graham Ellis is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (https://www.wellho.info/pix/). I am taking this opportunity to post / remind readers of the copyright on my photographs shared / used on the Coffee Shop - it's been a recent subject of discussion (here) (https://www.passenger.chat/r31403.html) and it's worthy of occasional reminder. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 11, 2026, 14:11:01 Quote 13:54 Chippenham to Weymouth due 15:45 13:54 Chippenham to Weymouth due 15:45 will no longer call at Frome. This is due to a short-notice change to the timetable. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on January 11, 2026, 16:54:15 Quote 13:54 Chippenham to Weymouth due 15:45 13:54 Chippenham to Weymouth due 15:45 will no longer call at Frome. This is due to a short-notice change to the timetable. ... which means ... exactly what, GWR ? Your text is just random words, selected from the Oxford Dictionary. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: ChrisB on January 11, 2026, 17:03:22 Today, we have removed the Frome stop from this service.
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 11, 2026, 17:14:33 Quote 13:54 Chippenham to Weymouth due 15:45 13:54 Chippenham to Weymouth due 15:45 will no longer call at Frome. This is due to a short-notice change to the timetable. ... which means ... exactly what, GWR ? Your text is just random words, selected from the Oxford Dictionary. It's a piece of text that's used when a "whoopsie" is found in the temporary timetable around engineering. In this case, 5M11 ECS arrived as normal at Frome at 13:43. It normally sets off at 14:05 for Swindon, clearing in good time for the 14:28 call of the (Swindon, but today Chippenham) to Weymouth train. However, the trains from Frome can't go as far as Swindon today - only to Chippenham - and so it didn't leave until 14:38. Frome has just one platform ... Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 11, 2026, 17:49:55 Quote 16:53 Frome to Chippenham due 17:30 16:53 Frome to Chippenham due 17:30 is being delayed at Westbury and is now expected to be 25 minutes late. This is due to a fault on this train. And there was a false alarm cancellation on this one ... Quote 17:59 Chippenham to Salisbury due 18:55 17:59 Chippenham to Salisbury due 18:55 will now run as scheduled. Last Updated:11/01/2026 17:41 Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 12, 2026, 07:29:24 Quote 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 is being delayed at Salisbury. This is due to a fault on this train. Is it just me or... or are the old crocks put on our line? Feels like that sometimes! Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 12, 2026, 08:07:56 Quote 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 is being delayed at Salisbury. This is due to a fault on this train. Is it just me or... or are the old crocks put on our line? Feels like that sometimes! Congratulations to the crew for getting it running just 10 minutes late. The above message still being issued three quarters of an hour after the train had left Salisbury - even though it implies it's still there - and it still suggests it's stuck at Salisbury at 08:07 as I write. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 12, 2026, 20:03:01 Quote 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be terminated at Westbury. It will no longer call at Dilton Marsh, Warminster and Salisbury. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 13, 2026, 05:58:08 Quote 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 Facilities on the 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47. Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 2 from Westbury. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on January 13, 2026, 22:14:01 Just buying my ticket for tomorrow morning's Melksham-Bristol commute, and spotted that what is usually the 06:29 Melksham-Trowbridge is scheduled for 06:31 (it was 06:29 on Monday). Anyone know why?
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 13, 2026, 22:26:14 Just buying my ticket for tomorrow morning's Melksham-Bristol commute, and spotted that what is usually the 06:29 Melksham-Trowbridge is scheduled for 06:31 (it was 06:29 on Monday). Anyone know why? There is a 2 minute "Pathing Allowance" at Thingley Junction - a "special" tomorrow; I looked at Wednesday next week and it's back to normal. Nothing showing on Real Time Trains to need that allowance though. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on January 14, 2026, 06:33:10 Well an IET just passed through towards Chippenham (at 06:28), might be related...
Don't think 06:31 is likely :( Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on January 14, 2026, 06:45:19 Departed Melksham at 06:43 - will miss the 06:46 Trowbridge-Bristol, but at least the 07:05 has 3 carriages :)
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on January 14, 2026, 06:56:09 Actually the 06:46 is delayed, showing as 07:01. But that's probably going to be busier than usual, might wait for the 07:05 anyway.
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 14, 2026, 07:17:28 This could be why an unexpected IET was around and delayed the [06:29/06:31]. That won't account for the scheduled change to 06:31 today ...
Quote Cancellations to services between Reading and Westbury Due to a broken down train between Reading and Westbury all lines are blocked. Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed or diverted. Disruption is expected until 08:30 14/01. Customer Advice Due to a broken down train at Kintbury, all lines between Reading and Westbury is currently blocked. - Our local Newbury to Bedwyn service is also suspended until further notice. - Where possible, long distance services will divert. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 14, 2026, 07:42:23 Well an IET just passed through towards Chippenham (at 06:28), might be related... Don't think 06:31 is likely :( The IET was 1K71 - the 05:10 Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington that usually calls at Kennet Valley stations. Got to Westbury on time (actually a couple of minutes early at 05:48, but say there until 06:14 and left headed back (16 minutes late) up whence it came, passing Bradford Junction ar 06:22 for the second time and headed, though untracked on my system, via Chippenham and Swindon - it has appeared on the trackers again at 07:28 - 21 minutes late - into Reading. Oh for increased capacity, Bradford Junction to Thingley Junction. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 14, 2026, 07:52:01 And now ...
Quote 07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:34 08:44 Swindon to Westbury due 09:26 08:44 Swindon to Westbury due 09:26 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 14, 2026, 07:54:29 And now ... Quote 07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:34 08:44 Swindon to Westbury due 09:26 08:44 Swindon to Westbury due 09:26 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. of if you prefer ... Quote This service is cancelled. This service was cancelled due to late arrival of an inbound service (YI). Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on January 14, 2026, 08:36:34 A bit of both - but the end result is the same.
The 07:45 is normally formed from an incoming service from Bristol Parkway. This morning that train started from Temple Meads and arrived at Westbury 14 minutes late at 07:43. For some reason the decision was taken not to run the TransWilts service, even with a late start. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Andy E on January 14, 2026, 10:10:41 Looks like chaos on the Trans Wilts this morning. A failed freight near Kintbury on the Berks and Hants has meant that up West Country trains have been diverted over the Trans Wilts. Now though it looks as though infrastructure train 6M50 has failed somewhere south of Melksham blocking that line. 1A73 and 1J74 up passenger trains from the West Country have diverted from Westbury up to Bath/Bathampton Junction and reversed there to continue to London.
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: TaplowGreen on January 14, 2026, 10:18:54 Cancellations to services between Swindon and Westbury via Melksham
Due to a broken down train at Melksham the line is blocked. Disruption is expected until 12:00 14/01. Train services between Swindon and Westbury via Melksham will be cancelled. Customer Advice A freight train has broken down on the line between Westbury and Swindon; as a result we are unable to operate our service. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 14, 2026, 10:22:39 Cancellations to services between Swindon and Westbury via Melksham Due to a broken down train at Melksham the line is blocked. Disruption is expected until 12:00 14/01. Train services between Swindon and Westbury via Melksham will be cancelled. Customer Advice A freight train has broken down on the line between Westbury and Swindon; as a result we are unable to operate our service. Oops Quote 09:46 Westbury to Swindon due 10:28 11:05 Swindon to Westbury due 11:47 11:05 Swindon to Westbury due 11:47 will be cancelled. This is due to a broken down train. Last Updated:14/01/2026 09:30 "we are unable to operate our service". With no suggestion about what customers - that first one (the 10:02 at Melksham) is the busiest northbound of the day - should do. This is where a volunteer presence at the station would be so helpful ... but that is a subject for a fresh thread. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 14, 2026, 19:43:44 From the Wiltshire Times (https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/25764354.gwr-trains-cancelled-wiltshire-amid-travel-chaos/)
Quote GWR trains cancelled in Wiltshire amid travel chaos A freight train has broken down at Melksham, blocking the line between Swindon and Westbury and forcing GWR to cancel services between the two towns. Disruption on the line is expected until at least midday on Wednesday, January 14, with customers being advised to take alternative routes during that time. This comes after a train broke down on the line between Westbury and Reading on Wednesday morning. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on January 15, 2026, 06:34:59 Just buying my ticket for tomorrow morning's Melksham-Bristol commute, and spotted that what is usually the 06:29 Melksham-Trowbridge is scheduled for 06:31 (it was 06:29 on Monday). Anyone know why? Same again this morning, although it arrived at 06:27. It's also scheduled for 06:31 tomorrow, but back to normal on Monday.Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 16, 2026, 07:27:35 Quote 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 is being delayed between Salisbury and Warminster and is now expected to be 18 minutes late. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 18, 2026, 10:50:41 To help quantify / analyse the issues in particular for passengers who are departing and arriving at Melksham Station, I am recording the logged performance of each train timetabled to call at present, from industry feeds.
(https://www.wellho.info/pix/ttmkm2026_1to14.jpg) I have taken the delay/repay cutoffs of 15 and 30 minutes as my colour change points, with an extra short "within 2 minutes" note in particular to watch the 07:21 train which has a tight unofficial connection at Chippenham for Bristol Temple Meads. Northbound and Southbound are separate reports - this is an analysis for customers and if someone's headed for Westbury, the next train isn't much use to them if it's going to Swindon. Reporting systems for Melksham are from equipment a little way from the station; whilst we have had occasions where a train has left early, in practise most train manager and drivers do wait until the due time; the lines showing early departures above are in most cases accounted for by a train that's ready to leave early, but in fact hung around. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 18, 2026, 11:03:54 Here's a clearer table ... removing the pedantic detail for trains that are virtually on time
(https://www.wellho.info/pix/ttmkm2026_1to14b.jpg) Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: IndustryInsider on January 19, 2026, 15:58:00 Reporting systems for Melksham are from equipment a little way from the station; whilst we have had occasions where a train has left early, in practise most train manager and drivers do wait until the due time; the lines showing early departures above are in most cases accounted for by a train that's ready to leave early, but in fact hung around. For those trains fitted with working GPS, the reports should be totally accurate. For those that don't it does rely upon a guesstimate from when the train passes the previous signal berth at the junction either end - usually pretty accurate, but not so if there's a delay at the station or a long speed restriction etc. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 19, 2026, 16:16:16 Reporting systems for Melksham are from equipment a little way from the station; whilst we have had occasions where a train has left early, in practise most train manager and drivers do wait until the due time; the lines showing early departures above are in most cases accounted for by a train that's ready to leave early, but in fact hung around. For those trains fitted with working GPS, the reports should be totally accurate. For those that don't it does rely upon a guesstimate from when the train passes the previous signal berth at the junction either end - usually pretty accurate, but not so if there's a delay at the station or a long speed restriction etc. Interesting. I can be at Melksham Station and it tells me my train has arrived when it hasn't! Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 23, 2026, 17:22:15 Quote 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault on this train. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 23, 2026, 20:36:26 Quote 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 has been cancelled. This is due to a shortage of train crew. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 25, 2026, 15:56:00 A good week - how it should be, and here's hoping it can continue like this.
(https://www.wellho.info/pix/mkmrun20260125.jpg) I am delighted that the 07:21 in the mornings has consistently been on time, so (Thingley Junction traffic allowing) will allow a good connection into Bristol. The late running by a few minutes of the final train of the day is encouraged and expected, as it's scheduled as a 5 minute connection off the express from London and little delays to connect make it work. I was on this train last Tuesday, and a noticeable number of people joined us off the London to Cheltenham Spa express before we set off from Swindon. And there are no onward connections at Trowbridge or Westbury that are compromised by a few minutes late running, so it's AOK on this train. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on January 26, 2026, 06:10:18 I am delighted that the 07:21 in the mornings has consistently been on time, so (Thingley Junction traffic allowing) will allow a good connection into Bristol. I wish you hadn't said that - I'm going to be testing it out later... :)BTW the (unofficial) connection at Chippenham is even tighter than it used to be, isn't it? Has the Paddington Weston-super-Mare service crept forward a minute? Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 26, 2026, 10:32:59 I am delighted that the 07:21 in the mornings has consistently been on time, so (Thingley Junction traffic allowing) will allow a good connection into Bristol. I wish you hadn't said that - I'm going to be testing it out later... :)BTW the (unofficial) connection at Chippenham is even tighter than it used to be, isn't it? Has the Paddington Weston-super-Mare service crept forward a minute? 07:30 - 07:31 Salisbury to Worcester train calls at Chippenham 07:31 - 07:33 London to Weston-super-mare train calls at Chippenham A year ago, yes, it was 07:34 departure from Chippenham in the public timetable, with the 07:31 departure to Worcester unchanged and I would assume (data no longer easily to hand) that the arrival from Salisbury was at 07:30. So 4 minutes has indeed become 3. I am - disappointed - that this has just slipped in, bearing in mind requests to move it to 07:35 as GWR have been known to do for their own convenience when engineering works have been taking place. At the least, I would have hoped to have received a notification of changes as has happened with so many changes in the past. However, the GWR team could be characterised at present by being operational rather than customer responsive. Ask passengers who used to finish work at Salisbury at the end of a conventional 9-to-5 day and catch the 17:42 home to Dilton Marsh, and suddenly found on 15th December that the train that had called at Dilton Marsh was now running empty, and their alternative didn't leave Salisbury until 19:13. Conversations are being had, but in reality the passengers and the regulators are pretty toothless. There are times that changes make sense and occasionally that will inconvenience some people - we have accepted a number of such changes in the past - but at present changes are being put in more, it seems, with a view to improving performance stats than to serving the customer. Frustrating, as there are ways of doing both at the same time. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: IndustryInsider on January 26, 2026, 14:19:41 A year ago, yes, it was 07:34 departure from Chippenham in the public timetable, with the 07:31 departure to Worcester unchanged and I would assume (data no longer easily to hand) that the arrival from Salisbury was at 07:30. So 4 minutes has indeed become 3. A realtimetrains+ subscription gives you the option to search back 5 years (or right back to 2012 with the 'Extended History' upgrade). Might be very useful to you in terms of charting performance/timings over an extended period? Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on January 26, 2026, 14:52:12 Might be very useful to you in terms of charting performance/timings over an extended period? Please don't encourage him, IndustryInsider. ;) :D ;D Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Red Squirrel on January 26, 2026, 16:43:10 Not 100% a propos, but I was amused last evening when I got on the 18.46 from Temple Meads to Montpelier.
This train - and you will see the tenuous connection to the topic, - is often cancelled when I try to catch it due to lack of crew. I had come off the Plymouth - Leeds train on Platform 3, so it should have been a simple matter of stay put while the Leeds train shuffles off, and catch the Severn Beach train from the same platform. The minutes ticked by, ramps were obtained, a chap in a wheelchair got off and then the ramp was installed in a door at the other end of the train. Then, suddenly! Nothing happened. People shrugged. Someone cleared his throat. No-one went and no-one came. And then, over the wheezing rattle of the Vogager, the inevitable platform change was announced. So I joined the crowd hotfooting it to Platform 7, and just a few minutes later we were on our way. The odd bit was the conductor's announcement. He apologised for the confusion. I thought he was going to explain why the Leeds train had delayed us and led to a platform change. What he actually told us was that our train had been cancelled and then uncancelled because he had been reallocated to another train but then another guard had come in on a later, delayed train thus allowing him to work our train. So that puts us in our place then! The Leeds train, incidentally, left 26 minutes late but surpisingly left New St on time. No idea what held it up for so long at Temple Meads. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 26, 2026, 19:06:12 Might be very useful to you in terms of charting performance/timings over an extended period? Please don't encourage him, IndustryInsider. ;) :D ;DI am rather suspecting that performance records stretching back to the last decade would set me off on a tangent I can do without. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on January 26, 2026, 20:45:54 The Leeds train, incidentally, left 26 minutes late but surpisingly left New St on time. No idea what held it up for so long at Temple Meads. Official reason was "overcrowding/not enough wheelchair spaces". Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 27, 2026, 07:31:37 Quote 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09 is being delayed at Gloucester. This is due to a points failure. Last Updated:27/01/2026 05:13 Stilll showing at 07:30 ... it was 1 minute late off Gloucester. Mountain out of what turned out to be a molehill. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 29, 2026, 08:57:22 Quote 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be started from Westbury. It will no longer call at Salisbury and Warminster. It will be delayed at Westbury. This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time. 19 minutes late from Melksham .... no chance of a quick change at Chippenham for Bristol today then ... Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 29, 2026, 09:59:43 19 minutes late from Melksham .... And made up ... 11 minutes late from Swindon 1 minute late from Gloucester 3 minutes early into Worcester Shrub Hill where it sat for 16 minutes on time into Worcester Foregate Street ... an interesting example with slack in the timing of this train. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 30, 2026, 18:03:27 Quote 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 has been cancelled. This is due to a fault on this train. Further Information If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can claim Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay Last Updated:30/01/2026 17:54 Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 30, 2026, 19:35:17 Quote 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 will be starting late from Westbury and is expected to be 20 minutes late. This is due to a fault on this train. Will be formed of 9 coaches instead of 3 to Swindon. Wow! Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on January 30, 2026, 19:53:23 Quote 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 will be starting late from Westbury and is expected to be 20 minutes late. This is due to a fault on this train. Will be formed of 9 coaches instead of 3 to Swindon. Wow! Not sure of that ... 20 minutes late confirmed - 3 carriages will be plenty, but I like the idea of an IET that terminates at Westbury and normally runs empty to Stoke Gifford running via Swindon and standing in for s broken local train. Sounds sensible. How are they going to have a train calling at Melksham at 20:39 southbound then one at 20:41 northbound - I suspect the AI part of the system is AU (Artificial Unintelligence) (https://www.wellho.info/pix/mkm_20260130_1937.jpg) Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: TaplowGreen on January 31, 2026, 13:18:24 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 13:01
12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 13:01 has been delayed at Chippenham and is now 18 minutes late. This is due to passengers causing a disturbance on a train earlier today. 13:13 Swindon to Westbury due 13:55 13:13 Swindon to Westbury due 13:55 will no longer call at Melksham and Trowbridge. This is due to passengers causing a disturbance on a train Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 04, 2026, 19:40:28 Quote 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be terminated at Warminster. It will no longer call at Salisbury. It is being delayed at Swindon. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: TaplowGreen on February 04, 2026, 22:24:12 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 will no longer call at Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham, Kemble, Stroud and Stonehouse. It has been delayed at Westbury and is now 75 minutes late. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 04, 2026, 22:40:20 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 will no longer call at Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham, Kemble, Stroud and Stonehouse. It has been delayed at Westbury and is now 75 minutes late. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Chaos this evening ... WWRUG Committee meeting finished around 19:15 in Trowbridge and I have just got home at 22:30. Particularly galling to see trains going through Trowbridge without stopping ... the young lady waiting for the 20:12 there and headed home to Stroud will still not be there. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 05, 2026, 07:19:48 Chaos this evening ... WWRUG Committee meeting finished around 19:15 in Trowbridge and I have just got home at 22:30. Particularly galling to see trains going through Trowbridge without stopping ... the young lady waiting for the 20:12 there and headed home to Stroud will still not be there. I have updated my "logging" page (https://www.wellho.info/sh4.php) to strike through trains that are supposed to stop at Melksham, but run through without calling. From a passenger viewpoint, I consider them to be cancellations. (https://www.wellho.info/pix/mkm_run_20260204.jpg) Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 05, 2026, 08:58:41 What the lack of services means to an evening meeting in Trowbridge
From home at 16:05 ... at ASDA, Trowbridge, 16:55 - 50 minute journey for 17:00 meeting (bus) The plan was 20:00 start homeward, 20:12 train, 20:22 Melksham Station, 20:50 home. But turned into ... 19:00 from ASDA ... home at 22:20 - 200 minute journey. We finished in good time, and I was quite happy to sit and do various writing up and things on my laptop in the "Rose end Crown" up to 20:00. But - from "on time" the train switched to "Delayed" and eventually to 21:12 - a 60 minute delay. At 21:12, it switched to being a few minutes later than that, the 21:25, and then it went "Cancelled". And at 21:25, 165101 went through without stopping - I suspected it was the delayed 20:12, moving the empty train back up to Gloucester - turned out to be in service, but skipping all intermediate stations except Swindon. The 21:22 - next train as far as Swindon - was shown as "on time", then 21:26, then 21:30. And it arrived and left at that time - 8 minutes late. It came to a halt just to the north of Trowbridge - waiting at a red signal - and we eventually go to Melksham Station at 21:45 - 13 minutes late. Would have been home at 22:05, but stopped to get a takeaway for Lisa and me and that added time - far too late to start cooking at home. Information at Trowbridge - appalling. Departure board "Delayed" not informative. Impossible suggestions being made about 2 trains within a minute of each other which was clearly not able to happen. Announcemnets advising people to wait for the "next fastest train" which, however, was (yet) shown as delayed but was very cleraly going to be. Help point when I asked about alternatives to get to Melksham offered to give me the travelline phone number to call about buses. Train manager dispatched train at Trowbridge and disappeared into rear cab, not seen again until door opened at Melksham. No other rail staff seen the whole evening. Lisa suggested I was too principled sticking it out and should have looked for a taxi, though they can be sparse in the evening in Trowbridge. and with others waiting too, and five of us off the train eventually at Melksham, that might of been an idea. It was not offered by the help point person, nor were there any indications of the train running screen or in announcements to help / mask that suggestion.. At one point I was considering D1 bus to Bath and 273 bus to Melksham with a midnight arrival home! Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 05, 2026, 08:59:53 Quote 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 was terminated at Swindon. It will no longer call at Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse, Gloucester, Cheltenham Spa, Ashchurch For Tewkesbury, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street. This is due to a broken down train. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Mark A on February 05, 2026, 10:28:55 That is... really very poor. Sorry that people including you were on the receiving end of it.
Mark Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on February 05, 2026, 15:05:39 I, too, was caught up in the knock-on effects of that earlier failure of a train this morning, somewhere around Stroud apparently.
My own train towards home, from Kemble to Swindon, was initially reported as 'cancelled', then 'reinstated but 11 minutes late'. I arrived at Kemble station, where to add insult to injury the booking office and waiting room were closed all day 'due to staffing issues'. There were many passengers, effectively out in the open, conferring about the delay to their arrival in London - a few of which, I overheard, were time-critical, for business meeting reasons, for example. The information boards and announcements were then updated fairly frequently, with the delay increasing steadily from 11 minutes to, eventually, 29 minutes. ::) The other two trains involved in my journey home (Swindon to Temple Meads and Temple Meads to Nailsea) were spot on time throughout. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 05, 2026, 17:51:43 Quote 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be starting late from Swindon. This is due to the train departing late to maintain customer connections. 9 minutes late off Swindon (17:44), maintaining connection from the 16:33 Paddington to Cheltenham Spa train. Had it set off on time at 17:35, it would have got in the way of the Bristol and Taunton train due to leave Swindon at 17:22, but didn't leave today until 17:36. The delay looks like a sensible call. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Mark A on February 05, 2026, 20:31:48 The absolute *joy* of waiting at Kemble in the 80s, when the single track section to Swindon would tend to provoke fun and games.
But also the *joy* after walking four miles to the station in the '82 snow and within a day or five of the thermometer hitting minus 18C up there, when it was necessary to leave the lane as that was choked to hedgerow-depth with snow, and make ones way through the fields alongside - to Kemble Station, and in swept the London-bound HST from the Sapperton direction, with a decent collection of sticky snow on the front end and also between the carriages, passengers... ok, me... once aboard, rocking up to the buffet for something to thaw them out. Mark Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 08, 2026, 16:04:52 Quote 20:38 Westbury to Swindon due 21:23 21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16 21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16 will be cancelled. This is due to a shortage of train crew. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 08, 2026, 20:35:50 Quote 19:43 Swindon to Westbury due 20:25 19:43 Swindon to Westbury due 20:25 has been delayed at Swindon and is now 5 minutes late. This is due to a late running train being in front of this one. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: brooklea on February 09, 2026, 08:43:45 Quote 20:38 Westbury to Swindon due 21:23 21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16 21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16 will be cancelled. This is due to a shortage of train crew. Reinstated by 7pm; unfortunate for would-be passengers who had already altered their plans, and for the taxi drivers who weren’t ultimately engaged to cover The Railway’s staff shortage. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 09, 2026, 09:41:57 Reinstated by 7pm; unfortunate for would-be passengers who had already altered their plans, and for the taxi drivers who weren’t ultimately engaged to cover The Railway’s staff shortage. Indeed ... I can understand that there are times of uncertainty when operational and other issues add doubt as to whether a train can run ... and a difficult call to know whether to declare a problem to alert people as early as possible, or to proceed in trying to find a solution and keep mum about it until it's blindingly obvious that a train won't run / will skip stops, etc. As a passenger, I stand by my wish that it wasn't just a "red/green" system but a "red/amber/green" system of information such that yesterday's might have flagged up as amber - "we may have to run buses / taxis in place of this train" rather than "this train is cancelled" - at least earlier in the day until it's known which way it's going. I should add that we are seeing fewer cancellations as a whole on Swindon <-> Westbury services this year, bringing us much more into line - measured on percentage of trains cancelled - with other stations in the region. Thank You to those who have helped with this - it makes the service much more attractive, marketable, growable - and analysis suggests that across Wiltshire the two current stations where there are latent opportunities are Melksham and Dilton Marsh. Being able to rely on a service is key ... though I would point out that having a booked passenger service at all at roughly the right time is even more important to its use that the occasional cancellation. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 10, 2026, 06:50:44 Quote 07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:34 08:44 Swindon to Westbury due 09:26 09:46 Westbury to Swindon due 10:28 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:00 15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21 20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 Facilities on the 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 2. AOK ... though there are likely to have been seats for everyone in a 2 car train even on the 07:45, 09:46, 15:15 and 17:35 which are the busiest trains. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on February 10, 2026, 13:33:21 I've been called up for jury service in Swindon in April; it's about a 10 min walk from the station to the court. Just wondering whether it'll be safe to catch the 8:02 Melksham-Swindon service (scheduled arrival time 8:34), or whether to take the 7:21 (7:47)...
There's a good chance the 8:02 will be fine. But if there is a problem, it'll be very stressful, so I'll probably end up taking the 7:21 to give me a Plan B. There's a Spoons not far from the court :) Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 10, 2026, 22:24:38 Quote 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 will be starting late from Swindon. This is due to the train departing late to maintain customer connections. Usually a sensible hold. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on February 11, 2026, 07:18:03 Left five minutes late in the end.
Real Time Trains suggests it, and earlier services, were formed of six coaches. However it also says they used platform 2 at Swindon. The truth is out there somewhere. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 15, 2026, 17:48:14 Quote 18:10 Castle Cary to Swindon due 19:34 18:10 Castle Cary to Swindon due 19:34 will be started from Frome. It will no longer call at Castle Cary and Bruton. This is due to this train being late from the depot. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 17, 2026, 17:46:13 Quote 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be starting late from Gloucester. This is due to trespassers on the railway. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on February 17, 2026, 18:28:18 Left on time….
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 19, 2026, 06:12:28 Quote 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09 Facilities on the 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09. This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time. Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 2. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 20, 2026, 12:51:21 Quote 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 has been delayed at Westbury and is now 13 minutes late. This is due to a late running train being in front of this one. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on February 20, 2026, 12:59:42 Well sort of. The London to Exeter St David's train which brings the conductor was 30 minutes late. Swindon train left 13 minutes late.
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 20, 2026, 15:51:28 Well sort of. The London to Exeter St David's train which brings the conductor was 30 minutes late. Swindon train left 13 minutes late. Yep, standard reason for that Swindon service to be delayed :D ... or cancelled. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on February 20, 2026, 16:38:34 I wonder why that reason was picked and not "waiting for a member of traincrew".
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 21, 2026, 16:38:08 Quote 16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18 will be cancelled. This is due to a shortage of train crew. Edit to add ... Quote Additional Information Customers are advised to travel to Chippenham on the 17:46 service to Bristol Temple Meads, and change at Chippenham for road transport. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 24, 2026, 07:38:24 Quote 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 has been delayed at Warminster and is now 10 minutes late. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on February 25, 2026, 10:05:51 Frustrating this morning. The Gloucester-Southampton service that I catch at Melksham 06:29 to Trowbridge 06:38 left Melksham on time, but then had to wait before joining the line down from Bath outside Trowbridge due to the delayed Portsmouth Harbour service - not unusual. However after it got going again it crawled along, eventually arriving at Trowbridge just in time to wave goodbye to the 06:46 Bristol service I was supposed to be connecting with departing the other platform.
Not a disaster - the next Bristol service was 07:05. But RealtimeTrains shows the Portsmouth Harbour service left Trowbridge at 06:42, while my Southampton one departed at 06:47. That 5 minute gap seems longer than it needed to be - is it the minimum allowed between consecutive trains? Also, at one point the National Rail app was giving estimated times at Trowbridge for both the Southampton and Portsmouth trains as 06:42. Obviously it's using a simple algorithm to calculate those times - a potential use for AI? Earlier it had also been showing the Southampton service as being in front of the delayed Portsmouth one, whereas I knew from experience we would have to wait - again, something AI would be able to work out. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 25, 2026, 10:43:06 Frustrating this morning. The Gloucester-Southampton service that I catch at Melksham 06:29 to Trowbridge 06:38 left Melksham on time, but then had to wait before joining the line down from Bath outside Trowbridge due to the delayed Portsmouth Harbour service - not unusual. However after it got going again it crawled along, eventually arriving at Trowbridge just in time to wave goodbye to the 06:46 Bristol service I was supposed to be connecting with departing the other platform. Not a disaster - the next Bristol service was 07:05. But RealtimeTrains shows the Portsmouth Harbour service left Trowbridge at 06:42, while my Southampton one departed at 06:47. That 5 minute gap seems longer than it needed to be - is it the minimum allowed between consecutive trains? Also, at one point the National Rail app was giving estimated times at Trowbridge for both the Southampton and Portsmouth trains as 06:42. Obviously it's using a simple algorithm to calculate those times - a potential use for AI? Earlier it had also been showing the Southampton service as being in front of the delayed Portsmouth one, whereas I knew from experience we would have to wait - again, something AI would be able to work out. I - suspect - that the Portsmouth train "has to" go first because of a lack of platforms available at Westbury at that time of the morning. Platform 2 is occupied by the train that's about to start its day on the way to Weymouth, and Platform 3 by the Frome to Cardiff train that stops in Westbury for around 10 minutes. Leaving only platform 1. This morning, the two trains seem to have approached Bradford Junction at about the same time anyway. Yes, there are limited signals between Trowbridge and Westbury - and the 5 minute headway is probably correct. AI in the customer and industry information systems feel like AU sometimes - Automate Unintelligence, where data is extrapolated in isolation from other factors that are known. "Hideously simplified" at times, to the extent that you and I can often do far better ... Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: TaplowGreen on February 25, 2026, 22:00:29 21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58
21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58 has been cancelled. This is due to a fault on this train. 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault on this train. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 26, 2026, 15:50:26 Quote 15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 will be delayed between Trowbridge and Westbury and is expected to be 10 minutes late. This is due to a fault on this train. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on February 27, 2026, 08:17:03 Quote 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be terminated at Gloucester. It will no longer call at Cheltenham Spa, Ashchurch For Tewkesbury, Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street. This is due to a points failure. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 01, 2026, 14:35:53 Quote 14:05 Frome to Swindon due 14:58 15:44 Swindon to Frome due 16:38 16:43 Frome to Swindon due 17:34 17:44 Swindon to Salisbury due 18:55 Facilities on the 17:44 Swindon to Salisbury due 18:55. Toilet facilities are not available. Disabled toilet facilities are not available. This is due to a fault on this train. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 01, 2026, 19:14:56 Quote 18:10 Castle Cary to Swindon due 19:34 19:43 Swindon to Westbury due 20:25 20:38 Westbury to Swindon due 21:23 21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16 Facilities on the 21:34 Swindon to Westbury due 22:16. This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time. Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 3. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 02, 2026, 05:49:56 Quote 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09 Facilities on the 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09. Toilet facilities are not available. Disabled toilet facilities are not available. This is due to a fault on this train. A long journey without a loo - however, the train calls at Swindon, Westbury and Salisbury, for 8, 10 and 11 minutes and there should be opportunities to use the loo at any of those. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: ChrisB on March 02, 2026, 10:31:06 Unless you happen to be in a wheelchair.... :o
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 02, 2026, 15:33:37 Quote 15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 will be starting late from Swindon. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: John D on March 02, 2026, 16:28:38 Quote Starts Sunday 24 May 2026 to Sunday 24 May 2026 Route(s) affected Between Warminster and Swindon and between Swindon and Westbury and also between Westbury and Bristol temple Meads Description Engineering work is taking place until 09:00 between Bradford-on-Avon and Warminster, closing some lines. The 08:06 Warminster to Swindon trains will not run and will be part replaced by an earlier rail replacement bus departing at 07:45 from Warminster, calling at Dilton Marsh, Westbury, Trowbridge and Melksham to Chippenham. Rail connections available between Chippenham and Swindon. The 09:08 Swindon to Westbury will start from Chippenham. No connection from Swindon into this train. However there will be road transport at 09:45 from Chippenham dropping off only at Melksham, Trowbridge and Westbury. Earlier rail connections from Swindon to Chippenham to connect into this replacement bus. The 08:39 Westbury to Bristol Temple Meads will depart 09:06 and will operate later than normal throughout. https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/engineering-works/chippenham-24-may-20260524/ Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on March 02, 2026, 16:44:36 Quote 15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 will be starting late from Swindon. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 02, 2026, 17:18:51 Quote Starts Sunday 24 May 2026 to Sunday 24 May 2026 Route(s) affected Between Warminster and Swindon and between Swindon and Westbury and also between Westbury and Bristol temple Meads Description Engineering work is taking place until 09:00 between Bradford-on-Avon and Warminster, closing some lines. The 08:06 Warminster to Swindon trains will not run and will be part replaced by an earlier rail replacement bus departing at 07:45 from Warminster, calling at Dilton Marsh, Westbury, Trowbridge and Melksham to Chippenham. Rail connections available between Chippenham and Swindon. etc Not unusual for the first Sunday morning train. When this train was first provided (it did NOT arrive December 2013 like the rest) there was much discussion about it "won't be used" and "it won't always be able to run". Well - it came first in summer, then all year, then we fought to re-instate it after the peak of covid. "Official" stance. Yes - it needs bustituting far more than any other service, but with good notice and in all the official systems, a price that's fair enough to have a Sunday morning service at all. And it's one of the busiest trains - if not THE busiest - of the day. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on March 02, 2026, 17:48:33 Quote 15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 will be starting late from Swindon. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 02, 2026, 19:26:56 Quote 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be terminated at Westbury. It will no longer call at Dilton Marsh, Warminster and Salisbury. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 05, 2026, 16:13:55 Quote 15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 has been delayed at Melksham and is now 8 minutes late. This is due to a fault on this train. Quote 16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06 16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06 will be starting late from Westbury and is expected to be 10 minutes late. This is due to a fault on this train. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on March 05, 2026, 17:44:24 ...and the 17:35 from Swindon hasn't departed yet, "Delayed"...
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on March 05, 2026, 18:01:44 Quote 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 has been cancelled. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Quote 18:15 Chippenham to Westbury due 18:58 An additional bus service has been planned to operate as shown 18:15 Chippenham to Westbury due 18:58. Additional Information The replacement transport is in the form of Multi-Purpose Vehicle taxis from Z Cars (Bristol). Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 05, 2026, 18:02:30 ...and the 17:35 from Swindon hasn't departed yet, "Delayed"... Quote 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21 18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on March 05, 2026, 18:05:10 Quote 17:36 London Paddington to Totnes due 20:46 17:36 London Paddington to Totnes due 20:46 will be diverted between Reading and Westbury. It will no longer call at Newbury and Pewsey but will call additionally at Swindon, Chippenham and Melksham. It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 19 minutes late. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. I think that is the first one to make a special call at Melksham in the down direction. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on March 05, 2026, 18:06:23 Quote 18:35 Westbury to Chippenham due 19:16 An additional bus service has been planned to operate as shown 18:35 Westbury to Chippenham due 19:16. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on March 05, 2026, 18:13:03 ...and the 17:35 from Swindon hasn't departed yet, "Delayed"... ...and now cancelled. But there's a fleet of SUVs on the way, apparently...Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on March 05, 2026, 18:18:30 Quote 20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on March 05, 2026, 18:36:27 Quote 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be diverted between Chippenham and Trowbridge. It will no longer call at Melksham but will call additionally at Bath Spa. It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 12 minutes late. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 05, 2026, 21:57:00 All happening tonight!
Quote 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 is being delayed between Stonehouse and Gloucester. This is due to trespassers on the railway. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on March 06, 2026, 07:34:29 ...and the 17:35 from Swindon hasn't departed yet, "Delayed"... ...and now cancelled. But there's a fleet of SUVs on the way, apparently...Just over an hour late in the end, but the new experience of taking an IET to Melksham made up for it :) Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 06, 2026, 08:54:32 ...and the 17:35 from Swindon hasn't departed yet, "Delayed"... ...and now cancelled. But there's a fleet of SUVs on the way, apparently...Just over an hour late in the end, but the new experience of taking an IET to Melksham made up for it :) Not a perfect evening - but good to see better measures coming into place when things go wrong. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on March 06, 2026, 09:53:03 Just over an hour late in the end, but the new experience of taking an IET to Melksham made up for it :) Presumably it is front two or possibly three coaches for Melksham on an IET? Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 06, 2026, 13:39:32 Just over an hour late in the end, but the new experience of taking an IET to Melksham made up for it :) Presumably it is front two or possibly three coaches for Melksham on an IET? All the first coach, all the second coach, and front door only on third carriage? Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 06, 2026, 21:46:26 20:06 off Westbury this evening ... left a minute late to maintain a connection with the 18:36 from Paddington; sensible decision. At Melksham, 10 off and 12 on which is very much more than I might have guessed; I did not walk through the train and have no idea of what the through count was. Our trains seem to be getting busier.
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on March 07, 2026, 04:34:23 Just over an hour late in the end, but the new experience of taking an IET to Melksham made up for it :) Presumably it is front two or possibly three coaches for Melksham on an IET?A similar principle applies at Nailsea & Backwell, for any longer trains calling here: 'Front four carriages' - whatever their alpha-numeric designation. ;) Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on March 09, 2026, 11:20:38 Just over an hour late in the end, but the new experience of taking an IET to Melksham made up for it :) Presumably it is front two or possibly three coaches for Melksham on an IET?A similar principle applies at Nailsea & Backwell, for any longer trains calling here: 'Front four carriages' - whatever their alpha-numeric designation. ;) We were told front 2 coaches (which were in normal formation, A and B). Claimed delay/repay for 60-119 mins, 50% of a return, but they've refunded the full amount. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: TaplowGreen on March 10, 2026, 07:28:06 07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:34
07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:34 will be cancelled. This is due to a points failure. 08:44 Swindon to Westbury due 09:26 08:44 Swindon to Westbury due 09:26 will be cancelled. This is due to a points failure. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 10, 2026, 07:42:41 07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:34 will be cancelled. This is due to a points failure Notified at 07:21 ... no alternatives offered. But if the points just failed (where ?) there is some immediate sympathy on the day for the last minute cancellation. And it's possibly too late to switch trains around. What if I were travelling? With both train and bus operations being pretty regulated, perhaps I should be allowed to catch the 07:44 or 08:25 bus at Trowbridge to Melksham or Chippenham - arriving at the railway station in Chippenham at 09:00 or at the bus station at 09:27. Yes - I know that the bus replaces a 20 minute journey by one that's over three times as long ... but it's doing the best for the customer when things go wrong - as would be reminding passengers that the may dogleg via Bath is they're joining at or before Trowbridge. Is it really that hard to think of the customer at short notice? Could AI and/or pre-emptive arrangements make customer consideration at the time of disruption to be automatic? Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: TaplowGreen on March 10, 2026, 07:45:44 From National Rail
Description A points failure at Bedwyn means all lines are blocked. As a result, trains between between Frome / Westbury and Newbury may be cancelled, delayed by up to 30 minutes or diverted. Perhaps they are cancelling local trains (via Melksham) in order that fast trains to/from the Westcountry can use the line? Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on March 10, 2026, 07:49:46 But..
Quote 05:32 Plymouth to London Paddington due 09:21 05:32 Plymouth to London Paddington due 09:21 will be diverted between Westbury and Reading. It will no longer call at Pewsey, Bedwyn, Hungerford and Newbury but will call additionally at Melksham and Swindon. It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 3 minutes late. This is due to a points failure. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 10, 2026, 07:54:11 Perhaps they are cancelling local trains (via Melksham) in order that fast trains to/from the Westcountry can use the line? Ah yes - looks like it. Wish they had told us ... first step of adding in stops is starting to work ... but lesson to be learned in terms of being able to quickly tell customers. Interesting choice - adding Melksham and Swindon calls but not Trowbridge and Chippenham ones. I understand it's a difficult call and there is no good solution. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: ChrisB on March 10, 2026, 09:02:27 Wouldn't the re-routed trains appear on the station departure boards in some form?
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 10, 2026, 12:50:14 Wouldn't the re-routed trains appear on the station departure boards in some form? Very likely - though I'm not when. Not there to observe Quote 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 is being delayed at Westbury. This is due to train crew being delayed by service disruption. Something to do with the 11:56 arrival at Westbury from Paddington not getting there until 12:31, per chance? The 12:17 to Swindon left at 12:34. Thank you [whoever] for not cancelling the round trip to Swindon as has happened too often in the past with this train. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: ChrisB on March 10, 2026, 21:25:32 Wouldn't the re-routed trains appear on the station departure boards in some form? Very likely - though I'm not when. Not there to observe You can view the boards online can't you? How do the boards I see in people's houses work? That feed is presumably free? Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: IndustryInsider on March 10, 2026, 22:22:30 Wouldn't the re-routed trains appear on the station departure boards in some form? Very likely - though I'm not when. Not there to observe You can view the boards online can't you? How do the boards I see in people's houses work? That feed is presumably free? You can. Indeed the forum header text links to a few of the busier ones. Here is Melksham: https://tiger.worldline.global/MELKSHM/cisds Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Mark A on March 11, 2026, 08:54:28 In the URL, surprised that it doesn't use the three letter station code, or, as it doesn't, that system's not able to take a station code in the URL and substitute whatever it does use.
Mark Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 11, 2026, 09:05:26 In the URL, surprised that it doesn't use the three letter station code, or, as it doesn't, that system's not able to take a station code in the URL and substitute whatever it does use. Mark It uses the TIPLOC code - never use one system where you can have five. I'm sure when we have GBR this will simply and standardise things ;D CRS: MKM NLC: 334600 (or 3346) TIPLOC: MELKSHM STANME: MELKSHAM STANOX: 75361 Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: IndustryInsider on March 11, 2026, 11:16:18 In the URL, surprised that it doesn't use the three letter station code, or, as it doesn't, that system's not able to take a station code in the URL and substitute whatever it does use. It uses the TIPLOC code - never use one system where you can have five. I'm sure when we have GBR this will simply and standardise things ;DFor those not in the know... 1) A good place to find all the codes, and a description of what they mean: http://www.railwaycodes.org.uk/crs/crs0.shtm 2) The list of stations covered by the Worldline servers that display as the Melskham link above, and where you can also choose various other layouts: https://tiger.worldline.global/home Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on March 11, 2026, 11:47:14 This morning's early Gloucester-Southampton service got delayed somewhere between Chippenham and Melksham - left the former on time, departed the latter 11 mins late at 6:40 instead of 6:29. No reason given on platform or train, although there was a freight service that passed through at about 6:21 heading in the same direction, don't know if that had something to do with it - obviously it would had it been travelling in the opposite direction.
Consequently missed the Fratton-Bristol service at Trowbridge (6:46) :( Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 11, 2026, 16:52:29 Today (11th??) ... Civil Engineer's train 6C41 left Swindon at 05:56 - 29 minutes late - and didn't reach Bradford Junction until 06:31 ... by which time the Southampton trains had left Chippenham on time (06:19) and was twiddling its thumbs at Thingley East waiting for the single line - which it got and passed onto at 06:34. No idea why 6C41 had been held up at Swindon - it got there on time.
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 12, 2026, 05:19:34 Quote 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 Facilities on the 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47. Disabled toilet facilities are not available. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on March 12, 2026, 12:50:52 This morning's early Gloucester-Southampton service got delayed somewhere between Chippenham and Melksham Problems again this morning, didn't leave Swindon until 06:31, 28 mins late. The time for Trowbridge was showing as 07:05, the same as my Trowbridge-Bristol service (2nd choice after the 06:46), so I decided not to risk it and caught the 271 bus to Bath and 07:46 Weston-super-Mare instead.Of course the Southampton service subsequently departed Trowbridge at 07:04, so there would have been time to catch the 07:05 on the other platform ::) BTW I tried using the Help Point(?) at Melksham when the ETA was just showing 'Delayed'; this was at about 6:30. They picked up after a few rings - great - and gave what I guess was a standard spiel about what they could and couldn't do. I'm guessing because they had a strong accent, which combined with the less than perfect audio quality of the equipment meant I literally didn't understand a word of what they were saying. After they stopped I didn't reply immediately, and they started again - this time I could make out something about disconnecting the call. So I piped up, and explained the situation. After that, when they weren't just reading from a script, it got easier (but not easy) to follow, and they were pretty helpful. But it seems daft to me that for a job that centres around spoken communication, with no visuals, they give it to someone with a strong accent ??? Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on March 12, 2026, 14:23:16 But it seems daft to me that for a job that centres around spoken communication, with no visuals, they give it to someone with a strong accent? A point well made but it doesn’t appear to be unique to railway helplines. I seem to encounter it on a daily basis - and that’s once you got past the AI “receptionist”. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 12, 2026, 16:39:03 "On" topic - looks lie the train got delayed for half an hour at Swindon this morning ... and left fairly soon after trains from Swansea and Paddingon had called, and an empty (running late) from Stoke Gifford had terminated. I don't think the Gloucester crews sign the TransWilts any longer, so as an educated guess the train was awaiting crew.
"Off" topic But it seems daft to me that for a job that centres around spoken communication, with no visuals, they give it to someone with a strong accent? A point well made but it doesn’t appear to be unique to railway helplines. I seem to encounter it on a daily basis - and that’s once you got past the AI “receptionist”. It reminds me of my friend Paul from Newbury (or somewhere else in stockbroker belt). Spoke in a similar way to I do. Fell I love with someone he met online (as many of us innovative types did) and ended up marrying Laura and they moved to her home state of Texas. Paul got himself a job at a local call centre, answering customer queries. Sadly, he got bad reports from customers - not because of the advise he gave, but they wanted the call centre to have staff who could speak English properly ... Some time when I have the time (!), I must tell the story of Laura and Paul, the Chinese takeaway we ate in my flat in Nythe on what should have been their wedding night, and how a relationship that seriously had us doubting its longevity has endured 30 years through events that would have broken most of us. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on March 13, 2026, 06:18:12 I don't think the Gloucester crews sign the TransWilts any longer, so as an educated guess the train was awaiting crew. Sorry, yes, I should have said - that's what the Help Point told me.Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on March 14, 2026, 15:49:10 Quote 15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 15:14 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 will be started from Chippenham. It will no longer call at Swindon. This is due to the emergency services dealing with an incident. The incident has happened at Wootton Bassett junction by the road bridges and there are some fairly graphic photos circulating as a result unfortunately. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 14, 2026, 16:52:12 Following round trip too ...
I'm coming home via Swindon ... or trying to. There could be far worse places to wait ... (https://www.wellho.info/pix/pafw.jpg) Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on March 14, 2026, 17:07:32 Quote 16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05 16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05 will be terminated at Chippenham. It will no longer call at Swindon. This is due to the emergency services dealing with an incident. Quote 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18 will be started from Chippenham. It will no longer call at Swindon. This is due to the emergency services dealing with an incident. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Mark A on March 15, 2026, 08:29:53 Following round trip too ... I'm coming home via Swindon ... or trying to. There could be far worse places to wait ... Ah, where's that then? Mark Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 15, 2026, 09:21:19 Following round trip too ... I'm coming home via Swindon ... or trying to. There could be far worse places to wait ... Ah, where's that then? Mark I got home ... but very late - did food for us then slept. Full story of the journey to follow. In another context and from half a lifetime ago, 4 hours waiting in an A&E department with a child with a broken arm and not having any idea of how long the wait would be tops any railway station wait. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: TaplowGreen on March 17, 2026, 06:09:58 Alterations to services between Chippenham and Trowbridge
Due to an obstruction on the track between Chippenham and Trowbridge the line is blocked. Train services running through these stations may be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 08:30 17/03. Customer Advice Owing to an obstruction on the line we are currently unable to operate any train services on the route via Melksham. Currently, only those customers travelling to or from Melksham station will be adversely affected. Replacement road transport has been requested to operate between Chippenham and Westbury via Melksham. Train services between Swindon / Chippenham and Trowbridge / Westbury may be diverted via an alternative route not calling at Melksham. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: TaplowGreen on March 17, 2026, 06:50:51 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09
05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09 will be diverted between Chippenham and Trowbridge. It will no longer call at Melksham. It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 7 minutes late. This is due to an obstruction on the track. 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be diverted between Trowbridge and Chippenham. It will no longer call at Melksham. 07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:34 07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:34 will no longer call at Melksham. This is due to an obstruction on the track. 08:44 Swindon to Westbury due 09:26 08:44 Swindon to Westbury due 09:26 will no longer call at Melksham. This is due to an obstruction on the track. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on March 17, 2026, 07:16:50 Report of a car on the line at Holt.
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 17, 2026, 08:37:24 Report of a car on the line at Holt. From Wiltshire 999 (https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=25955176400819710) Quote BREAKING: The railway line is blocked after a car, reportedly being chased by police, ended up on the tracks. (https://www.wellho.info/pix/holtcar17.jpg) The incident happened on the line between Chippenham and Trowbridge around 4am this morning (17 March). A spokesperson for Great Western Railway said: "A car has been driven on to the line between Trowbridge and Chippenham. "Network Rail are making arrangements to have the car removed, until this is done we are unable to run trains." It's affecting services running between Swindon and Westbury, with many diverted. Trains are unable to serve Melksham. Disruption is expected until around midday. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on March 17, 2026, 11:06:14 Report of a car on the line at Holt. It's brought railway services to a halt. :P Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Oxonhutch on March 17, 2026, 12:30:50 It's brought railway services to a halt. :P It is GWR territory. I think you mean 'halte'. ;) Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 17, 2026, 13:36:54 Quote 14:25 Westbury to Chippenham due 15:06 Additional 14:25 Westbury to Chippenham due 15:06 will be cancelled. This is due to an obstruction on the track earlier today. Additional Information These buses will no longer run as the train service has been reinstated. A whole series of these - excellent to get train services back on track rather than a car on the track. ;D Good to see that that contingency was in place for later services, though proved to be un-needed; one of the cases where cancellation notices that are revoked are a good approach. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Phil on March 17, 2026, 15:48:32 It's brought railway services to a halt. :P It is GWR territory. I think you mean 'halte'. ;) Before my time (just), but apparently it was only ever called Holt Junction. Seems like a missed opportunity nonetheless! Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 18, 2026, 06:07:24 Quote 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09 Facilities on the 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09. Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 2. Quote 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 Facilities on the 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47. Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 2. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Witham Bobby on March 18, 2026, 09:07:55 It's brought railway services to a halt. :P It is GWR territory. I think you mean 'halte'. ;) Before my time (just), but apparently it was only ever called Holt Junction. Seems like a missed opportunity nonetheless! Something good about the sound of "Holt Halt" or "Holt Halte" Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Witham Bobby on March 18, 2026, 09:20:11 Report of a car on the line at Holt. From Wiltshire 999 (https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=25955176400819710) Quote BREAKING: The railway line is blocked after a car, reportedly being chased by police, ended up on the tracks. The incident happened on the line between Chippenham and Trowbridge around 4am this morning (17 March). A spokesperson for Great Western Railway said: "A car has been driven on to the line between Trowbridge and Chippenham. "Network Rail are making arrangements to have the car removed, until this is done we are unable to run trains." It's affecting services running between Swindon and Westbury, with many diverted. Trains are unable to serve Melksham. Disruption is expected until around midday. Good to see that stupidity is still widely available Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 18, 2026, 10:19:18 ITV news last night was reporting that the car-on-track closed the line and inconvenienced thousands of commuters getting to work. At first I thought the number was a bit over the top - but perhaps we are approaching 1000 journeys a day now on the trains that pass thought Melksham. Say 250 journeys at Melksham, twice that number passing through, and a significant number making Swindon <-> Chippenham and Trowbridge <-> Westbury journeys.
With the "local plan" for Wiltshire thrown out, we are likely to see a building environment in which the NPPF and the Neighbourhood Plan provide the guidance framework for planning once the core plan expires, and it's predicted that this will bring a great deal more housing even than was outlined in the local plan. Taken forward with a reliable, all day every day train services in conjunction with buses that connect with trains in addition to meeting other transport needs that don't involve a rail "leg", we may well be up to those thousands by the end of this decade, and then grow beyond. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: TaplowGreen on March 18, 2026, 17:26:58 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 18, 2026, 17:54:46 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. The 15:15 Swindon to Westbury left Swindon 101.75 minutes late (at 16:57) and was 107 minutes late into Westbury ... by which time the next two trains to Dilton Marsh had left ... Lots of learning this afternoon - to be written up over the next 48 hours. Information and alternatives misleading and scant. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 18, 2026, 22:04:59 Quote 21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 19, 2026, 07:12:45 Quote 21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. I arrived at Melksham Station at 15:30 for the 15:40 yesterday afternoon - to find a report of "delayed" and the service was a complete and utter mess thereafter. (https://www.wellho.info/pix/oolog20260318.jpg) Occasionally, "these things happen". But what was shocking was the lack of correct customer support and practical information from automated systems and from help point staff - some of which was clearly in error (making impossible assertions) even during the ongoing issues. Until 17:30, I saw no GWR staff; I went out of my way to speak with one at 17:40. Returning to Trowbridge station at 21:18 for the 21:22 to Melksham, the same experience. The report shows the train as cancelled, yes, but whilst it was pretty obvious it was in trouble if we looked at public online technical systems, the station board showed it expected at 21:26. Getting home? I caught the 21:52 to Bath Spa, from there the 23:15 bus ... home at midnight. Staff for the 21:52 - excellent / helpful for multiple customers and GWR should be proud of them. But the system's a mess. I did decline the offer of a taxi from Bath - well made, and advise to Chippenham and Swindon passengers also well given. Lessons / comments - to be written up. I found myself talking with fellow passengers at both Melksham and Trowbridge, trying to explain what we were being told and put it into a context at what was likely, and telling them what the options they might wish to consider were, but doing so purely as a volunteer who has read the runes and seen many things before. And evaluating the help that was lacking for people and how a regular present Information at the Station (https://www.melkshamstation.info/) might address the issues. My apologies to GWR for sending their customers away. By the time the 15:40 arrived - at 17:30 - it was long gone off the automated screens and so were the passengers, making use of other modes of transport to actually get them towards where they needed - London, and Bath Spa, and Trowbridge, and Fratton and Brighton. And to have re-assured them that their tickets would be accepted on the later connecting trains. I find myself noting the suggestions made to fellow passengers, and how they might help form an FAQ to help address the failures of the system, especially when factored in for delivery by someone with a little more knowledge of the systems that the customers have. And I concluded that some 95% of people can be helped in these circumstances, and also can be reassured that they are in the unknown. Industry standard systems that most passengers use do provide the right information 98% of the time. The problem is that the other 2% - when they should be the most useful - that are crassly incorrect. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on March 19, 2026, 10:15:46 Quote 09:46 Westbury to Swindon due 10:28 09:46 Westbury to Swindon due 10:28 has been cancelled. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Quote 11:05 Swindon to Westbury due 11:47 11:05 Swindon to Westbury due 11:47 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Quote 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Quote 13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: TaplowGreen on March 19, 2026, 11:48:06 Cancellations to services between Swindon and Melksham
Due to a fault with the signalling system between Swindon and Melksham the line is blocked. Train services running through these stations may be cancelled. Disruption is expected until 13:00 19/03. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on March 19, 2026, 12:21:54 What has happened?
Some axle counters, part of the signalling system, have stopped working in the Swindon area that is affecting the services to Gloucester and to Melksham. Axle counters tell the signalling system if a section of track has a train on it. If an axle counter stops working, trains need to stop at the affected signal so that the driver can speak to the signaller to confirm if the track ahead is clear. We are working with Network Rail to be able to return to running the normal timetable as soon as possible. https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service-disruptions/kemble-20260319/ Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 19, 2026, 16:32:45 Quote 16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on March 19, 2026, 19:20:30 Quote 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault with the signalling system. Not sure how much to claim though - the next service from Chippenham to Melksham is the 19:07 to Salisbury, over an hour later than the cancelled service (due 17:59). However if I didn't have the bus option I would have taken the train from Bristol to Trowbridge instead of Chippenham, then the 18:43 from there to arrive in Melksham at 18:53, less than an hour late. I'll claim the <1 hour; last time I did that I was refunded for >=1 hour, I suspect because the <1 hour route I took included changing between trains that were too close together to be an official connection. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on March 19, 2026, 19:32:00 Not sure how much to claim though - the next service from Chippenham to Melksham is the 19:07 to Salisbury, over an hour later than the cancelled service (due 17:59). However if I didn't have the bus option I would have taken the train from Bristol to Trowbridge instead of Chippenham, then the 18:43 from there to arrive in Melksham at 18:53, less than an hour late. Having filled in the form, and ticked the 30-59 min delay box, the summary does show Chippenham as the intermediate station. So perhaps they only consider alternatives along the same route; we'll see...I'm not that bothered about the ~£2.50 difference, but it's nice when it covers the cost of the bus ticket. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on March 19, 2026, 22:43:45 As an aside: when my daughter made her rather extended rail excursion, on a Sunday 'official' diversion return journey from Cardiff Central to Nailsea & Backwell via Bristol Parkway - she somehow managed to travel via Didcot Parkway - but (through 'delay/repay') she received a full refund of her whole ticket. She was delighted! ;D
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 23, 2026, 12:46:59 Quote 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 is being delayed at Westbury. This is due to the train departing late to maintain customer connections. Scheduled 12:11 from Portsmouth Harbour rolled in at 12:17 and terminated rather than carrying on to Cardiff. Swindon train left a few minutes later - sensible to let passengers for South Wales take that and change at Swindon, as well as maintaining the local connection. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: TaplowGreen on March 23, 2026, 14:57:31 Cancellations to services between Westbury and Swindon via Melksham
Due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge between Trowbridge and Bath Spa the line towards Bath Spa is blocked. Disruption is expected until the end of the day. Train services between Westbury and Swindon via Melksham may be cancelled, delayed or diverted. Customer Advice What has happened? A vehicle has struck a bridge in the Freshford area between Trowbridge and Bath Spa. The bridge has been examined and one of the two lines over the bridge, the line towards Bath Spa, will remain closed for the rest of today. What are we doing about it? Network Rail are assessing the repairs that are required. Where possible trains between Trowbridge and Bath Spa will divert via the route through Melksham. As this line has limited capacity it means our services that run between Westbury and Swindon have been suspended. 15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 has been cancelled. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. 16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06 16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06 will be cancelled. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 will be cancelled. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. 18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21 18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21 will be cancelled. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 will be cancelled. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. 20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 will be cancelled. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. 21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58 21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58 will be cancelled. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 23, 2026, 15:28:05 8 cancellations reported ... and the issue is on a adjoining line and not on this one!
Quote Cancellations to services between Westbury and Swindon via Melksham Due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge between Trowbridge and Bath Spa the line towards Bath Spa is blocked. Disruption is expected until the end of the day. Train services between Westbury and Swindon via Melksham may be cancelled, delayed or diverted. Customer Advice - What has happened? - A vehicle has struck a bridge in the Freshford area between Trowbridge and Bath Spa. The bridge has been examined and one of the two lines over the bridge, the line towards Bath Spa, will remain closed for the rest of today. - What are we doing about it? - Network Rail are assessing the repairs that are required. - Where possible trains between Trowbridge and Bath Spa will divert via the route through Melksham. As this line has limited capacity it means our services that run between Westbury and Swindon have been suspended. - What are your options? - We are sorry for the disruption to your journey today, these are the current options available to you: - Option 1: If you are travelling towards Chippenham and Swindon, diverted services will be calling additionally at Melksham and Chippenham. Please change at Chippenham for trains towards Swindon. - If you are travelling towards Melksham, Trowbridge or Westbury, we are arranging replacement transport to run from Chippenham. Details of this will be given here once confirmed. Option 2: You can use your ticket, at no extra cost, on the local Faresaver bus route X34 between Chippenham (Bus Station, Bay 6), Melksham (McDonalds, a 10 minute walk from the station), Trowbridge (Trinity Church, a short walk from the station). Just show your train ticket to the bus driver. You can find bus times at www.faresaver.co.uk/current-timetables/ - Option 3: Consider postponing your journey until our service returns to normal. - For more information: - Use the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner to check if a journey by rail is currently possible. If you are at a station please check the live departure boards or speak to a member of station staff. - Let us help you: - If you're already travelling when disruption happens, we'll get you where you need to go. If you miss the last train of the day due to cancellation or because another train was delayed, we wont leave you stranded. - If you require help, further information or would like to provide feedback, to help us improve in the future: Speak to staff at the station or on the train. Use the Customer Help Point on the platform. Message us on X @GWRHelp, Facebook Messenger @gwruk, Instagram @gwruk or WhatsApp 07890 608043. Our team is available daily between 06:00 and 23:00 Monday to Friday and 07:00 to 23:00 Saturday and Sunday. Call our Customer Support team on 03457 000 125, who are available between 06:00 and 23:00, or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950, who are available 24 hours a day. - Delay Repay: - If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can apply for Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay - Further Information An update will follow within the next 2 hours. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on March 23, 2026, 15:33:08 But additional calls
Quote 12:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central due 15:46 12:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central due 15:46 was diverted between Westbury and Bath Spa. It will no longer call at Bradford-On-Avon but will call additionally at Melksham, Chippenham, Oldfield Park and Keynsham. It has been delayed due to the diversion and is now 15 minutes late. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 3. Quote 15:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central due 18:50 15:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central due 18:50 will be diverted between Westbury and Bath Spa. It will no longer call at Bradford-On-Avon but will call additionally at Melksham and Chippenham. It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 14 minutes late. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Mark A on March 23, 2026, 16:44:42 8 cancellations reported ... and the issue is on a adjoining line and not on this one! Quote What has happened? - A vehicle has struck a bridge in the Freshford area between Trowbridge and Bath Spa. The bridge has been examined and one of the two lines over the bridge, the line towards Bath Spa, will remain closed for the rest of today. They're very coy about which bridge is involved. Mark Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on March 23, 2026, 16:46:29 It is the one at Limpley Stoke that was closed for refurbishment last year. Quite a bit of damage has been done to the bridge and the trackbed is affected.
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on March 23, 2026, 18:39:17 I'm assuming it was this one:
(https://www.wiltshire999s.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot-2024-11-21-at-11.54.04-750x428.png) Image from https://www.wiltshire999s.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot-2024-11-21-at-11.54.04-750x428.png Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on March 23, 2026, 19:24:11 More special stops
Quote 15:28 Weymouth to Gloucester due 19:04 15:28 Weymouth to Gloucester due 19:04 will be diverted between Westbury and Bath Spa. It will no longer call at Bradford-On-Avon but will call additionally at Melksham and Chippenham. It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 16 minutes late. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. Quote 16:24 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central due 19:53 16:24 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central due 19:53 will be diverted between Westbury and Bath Spa. It will no longer call at Bradford-On-Avon but will call additionally at Melksham and Chippenham. It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 15 minutes late. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. Quote 17:24 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central due 20:46 17:24 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central due 20:46 will be diverted between Westbury and Bath Spa. It will no longer call at Bradford-On-Avon but will call additionally at Melksham and Chippenham. It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 15 minutes late. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. Quote 18:24 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central due 21:45 18:24 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central due 21:45 will be diverted between Westbury and Bath Spa. It will no longer call at Bradford-On-Avon but will call additionally at Melksham and Chippenham. It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 16 minutes late. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. Quote 19:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central due 22:56 19:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central due 22:56 will be diverted between Westbury and Bath Spa. It will no longer call at Bradford-On-Avon but will call additionally at Melksham and Chippenham. It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 15 minutes late. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. Quote 20:24 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central due 23:57 20:24 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central due 23:57 will be diverted between Westbury and Bath Spa. It will no longer call at Bradford-On-Avon but will call additionally at Melksham and Chippenham. It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 15 minutes late. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. Will be formed of 5 coaches instead of 3. Also a couple of road replacements Quote 20:06 Chippenham to Westbury due 20:49 An additional bus service has been planned to operate as shown 20:06 Chippenham to Westbury due 20:49. Quote 20:50 Chippenham to Westbury due 21:33 An additional bus service has been planned to operate as shown 20:50 Chippenham to Westbury due 21:33. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 23, 2026, 21:16:48 Quote A vehicle had struck a bridge in the Freshford area between Trowbridge and Bath Spa. The bridge has been examined and we are now able to run trains. - What are we doing about it? - Our service between Chippenham and Westbury via Melksham will remain suspended as a number of our trains and crew are now not in the right place. - What are your options? - We are sorry for the disruption to your journey today, these are the current options available to you: - Replacement transport has been arranged to run in place of cancelled train services. These have been advertised on journey planners. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on March 30, 2026, 14:24:32 Quote 13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 has been delayed at Melksham and is now 23 minutes late. This is due to a points failure. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on April 02, 2026, 08:18:53 Quote 07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:34 07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:34 has been cancelled. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge earlier today. Quote 08:44 Swindon to Westbury due 09:26 08:44 Swindon to Westbury due 09:26 will be cancelled. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge earlier today. Limpley Stoke bridge again. Stopped the stock from Bristol reaching Westbury. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 02, 2026, 08:50:55 Quote 07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:34 has been cancelled. 08:44 Swindon to Westbury due 09:26 will be cancelled. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge earlier today. Limpley Stoke bridge again. Stopped the stock from Bristol reaching Westbury. Oh geeze ... I have a feeling of frustration ... that "they" can't send the feeder train down via Chippenham, or commandeer a train that should have been heading the other way but can't get through B-o-A to Bath and send it up to Swindon instead. But I'm sure there are perfectly good reasons that this couldn't be done. Leaves a southbound timetable gap from 06:29 to 11:31. On a frequency like ours, every train matters. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on April 02, 2026, 09:23:20 I think in this case the good reason was the train involved may well already have been on the Avon Valley line when it was stopped. Realtimetrains shows the delay was at the junction, but following trains towards Chippenham were not disrupted so the line must have been clear. It could have been put into the goods loop but I am not sure that is cleared for passenger use.
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 02, 2026, 09:40:13 I think in this case the good reason was the train involved may well already have been on the Avon Valley line when it was stopped. Realtimetrains shows the delay was at the junction, but following trains towards Chippenham were not disrupted so the line must have been clear. It could have been put into the goods loop but I am not sure that is cleared for passenger use. You are likely right, Bob ... hence my "perfectly good reason" caution. There are times on the forum where I feel that some of us may speak as apologists for the rail industry - trying to justify the frankly unjustifiable - but this is NOT one of those cases. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: JohnM on April 02, 2026, 10:19:39 Leaves a southbound timetable gap from 06:29 to 11:31. On a frequency like ours, every train matters. 271 bus saves the day again. Although the 07:46 Paddington-Weston service at Bath was delayed so ended up on the 07:51 Filton Abbey Wood; ~45 mins later than usual into the office. Just lucky the office is in Bristol not Southampton.Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 02, 2026, 12:21:20 Quote 18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21 20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 will be cancelled. This is due to a shortage of train crew. Noting that it's Maundy Thursday, lead up to Easter and a good time for those with families to be taking leave - probably a total co-incidence? No alternative suggested / offered at the moment. After the 18:37 from Westbury, the next train is 20:06. After the 20:12 from Swindon, the next and final train is 22:31. The last buses from Trowbridge to Chippenham and from Chippenham to Trowbridge have departed by the time these trains are due, so there is no fallback available there. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 02, 2026, 12:36:56 Quote 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault on this train. No alternatives on offer from/suggested by GWR ... there *are* buses, though much slower, from close to Trowbridge into Melksham and Chippenham towns, and buses from the other side of Chippenham from the station to Melksham and Trowbridge. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on April 02, 2026, 14:38:26 Quote 14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:00 14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:00 will be cancelled. This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time. Quote 15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 will be cancelled. This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: TaplowGreen on April 05, 2026, 15:45:06 15:44 Swindon to Westbury due 16:25
15:44 Swindon to Westbury due 16:25 will be cancelled. This is due to the emergency services dealing with an incident. 16:52 Westbury to Swindon due 17:34 16:52 Westbury to Swindon due 17:34 will be cancelled. This is due to the emergency services dealing with an incident. 17:44 Swindon to Salisbury due 18:55 17:44 Swindon to Salisbury due 18:55 will be started from Westbury. It will no longer call at Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham and Trowbridge. This is due to the emergency services dealing with an incident Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 05, 2026, 16:02:05 This is due to the emergency services dealing with an incident. Quote Due to the emergency services dealing with an incident at Swindon all lines are blocked. Disruption is expected until the end of the day. Train services between London Paddington and Swansea via Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Customer Advice - What has happened? - A person has been struck by a train in the Swindon area, leading to all lines being blocked. It is necessary to bring all trains in the affected area to an immediate stop. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on April 05, 2026, 16:04:57 The line is blocked near Wootton Bassett junction.
There was a train from Chippenham to Westbury via Melksham which left Chippenham at 15:31. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 06, 2026, 08:33:14 Quote 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be delayed at Swindon and is expected to be 11 minutes late. This is due to train crew being delayed. JourneyCheck suggests an arrival at 09:58 now. Real time trains suggests 09:47, and I would concur. Delays awaiting crew at Swindon seem to be a new thing. Is this, perhaps, because of crews needing to change there as they now sign less routes? Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 06, 2026, 09:16:07 Quote 08:44 Swindon to Westbury due 09:26 08:44 Swindon to Westbury due 09:26 is being delayed at Swindon. This is due to trespassers on the railway. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on April 06, 2026, 12:06:33 In the end left half an hour late. That had a knock on effect to the 09:46 from Westbury to Swindon which departed 11 minutes behind schedule.
Thanks to a generous layover at Swindon, the 11:05 back to Westbury left almost on time. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 06, 2026, 16:32:44 In the end left half an hour late. That had a knock on effect to the 09:46 from Westbury to Swindon which departed 11 minutes behind schedule. Thanks to a generous layover at Swindon, the 11:05 back to Westbury left almost on time. The scheduling of that at 09:46 rather than 10:16 from Westbury was in part our suggestion when the daytime services were brought back - far more useful half an hour in front of the clockface 10:16, 12:16, 14:16 would have been with an 07:51 to 10:32 gap at Melksham. Much better now - 08:02 to 10:02. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 07, 2026, 07:52:47 Quote 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09 has been delayed between Trowbridge and Westbury and is now 9 minutes late. This is due to a fault with barriers at a level crossing. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 10, 2026, 09:26:48 Quote 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 is being delayed between Salisbury and Warminster. This is due to a fault on a train in front of this one. 9 minutes late from Salisbury, up to 12 minutes late along the way with a longer stop than normal at Swindon. Pathing, perhaps? Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 10, 2026, 12:25:59 Quote 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 will be cancelled. This is due to a broken down train earlier today. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 10, 2026, 14:13:06 Quote 13:42 Chippenham to Westbury due 14:25 An additional bus service has been planned to operate as shown 13:42 Chippenham to Westbury due 14:25. Sensible time off Chippenham as it connects with the next train from Swindon. By my calculation, passengers for the Portsmouth train miss the connection so their journey will take an hour longer. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on April 10, 2026, 14:59:09 Shows the value of the bus being provided if there has to be a cancellation. They would have been two hours late without it.
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 12, 2026, 12:03:39 Quote 12:13 Westbury to Swindon due 12:57 13:34 Swindon to Westbury due 14:14 13:34 Swindon to Westbury due 14:14 will be cancelled. This is due to a fault on this train. Last Updated:12/04/2026 11:43 Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 15, 2026, 12:27:51 Quote 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 will be starting late from Westbury. This is due to a broken down train. Could this relate to problems with the 10:36 Paddington to Exeter, off which train crew arrive at Westbury to work the Swindon service ... Quote 10:36 London Paddington to Exeter St Davids due 13:07 10:36 London Paddington to Exeter St Davids due 13:07 will no longer call at Westbury but will call additionally at Frome. It is being delayed at Westbury. This is due to a broken down train. My guess is that the 10:36 train itself is fine - that something else has sat down in the approach to Westbury which is preventing it calling there. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 15, 2026, 18:31:31 Quote 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 is being delayed between Stroud and Kemble and is now expected to be 11 minutes late. This is due to a safety inspection of the track. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 16, 2026, 18:28:08 Quote 18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21 20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 will be cancelled. This is due to a broken down train. Last Updated:16/04/2026 17:55 Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 20, 2026, 06:07:50 Quote 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be started from Westbury. It will no longer call at Salisbury and Warminster. This is due to a fault on this train. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 20, 2026, 11:33:30 Quote 11:05 Swindon to Westbury due 11:47 11:05 Swindon to Westbury due 11:47 has been delayed at Swindon and is now 11 minutes late. This is due to a fault on this train. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 20, 2026, 19:32:12 Quote 18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21 18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21 has been cancelled. This is due to a fault on this train. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 22, 2026, 22:50:07 Quote 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 is being delayed at Swindon. This is due to the train departing late to maintain customer connections. Left Swindon 14 minutes late - holding this train for connections is usually the right move Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 24, 2026, 11:50:00 Quote 11:05 Swindon to Westbury due 11:47 11:05 Swindon to Westbury due 11:47 is being delayed at Trowbridge. This is due to the police dealing with an incident. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 27, 2026, 12:36:33 Quote 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 will be starting late from Westbury and is expected to be 15 minutes late. This is due to train crew being delayed. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 29, 2026, 17:47:20 Quote 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be starting late from Swindon. This is due to congestion. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on April 30, 2026, 17:21:12 Quote 16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06 16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06 is being delayed at Melksham and is now expected to be 11 minutes late. This is due to a late running train being in front of this one. 8 minutes late from Westbury ... 13 minutes late onward by Swindon Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: TaplowGreen on May 02, 2026, 08:34:45 07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:28
07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:28 is being delayed at Chippenham. This is due to congestion. 08:44 Swindon to Westbury due 09:25 08:44 Swindon to Westbury due 09:25 will be starting late from Swindon. This is due to congestion. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on May 02, 2026, 10:44:10 07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:28 07:45 Westbury to Swindon due 08:28 is being delayed at Chippenham. This is due to congestion. The main line from Bristol to London via Bath is closed this weekend between Bath and Chippenham, and a London express that was due to start from Chippenham was delayed there and started 22 minutes late (no reason given that I could see), holding up the train from Westbury. Quote 08:44 Swindon to Westbury due 09:25 08:44 Swindon to Westbury due 09:25 will be starting late from Swindon. This is due to congestion. Most of the time made up - that ran within 5 minutes of plan Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on May 03, 2026, 12:32:28 Quote 10:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 12:57 13:32 Swindon to Weymouth due 15:45 Facilities on the 13:32 Swindon to Weymouth due 15:45. Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 3. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on May 04, 2026, 17:11:17 Quote 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 18:37 Westbury to Swindon due 19:21 20:08 Swindon to Westbury due 20:52 21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 Facilities on the 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12. Disabled toilet facilities are not available. This is due to a fault on this train. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on May 04, 2026, 20:34:01 No comfort for those who can only use accessible toilets but at least there is a second smaller toilet for those who can access those.
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on May 05, 2026, 00:02:06 Quote Tue, 5 May 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 05/05/26 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47 will be started from Westbury. It will no longer call at Salisbury and Warminster. This is due to a fault on this train. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on May 07, 2026, 22:09:50 Quote 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 will no longer call at Kemble, Stroud and Stonehouse. It has been delayed at Westbury and is now 29 minutes late. This is due to a points failure. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on May 08, 2026, 13:12:45 Quote 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:00 15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:58 16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:06 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled. This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge. The bridge strike is "in the Freshford area" which probably means at Limpley Stoke. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on May 08, 2026, 13:13:47 It is Limpley Stoke.
Awaiting a bridge examiner. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on May 08, 2026, 13:16:51 The 12:17 from Westbury to Swindon ran and is now sat in the bay at Swindon awaiting its next working.
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Mark A on May 08, 2026, 15:32:44 It is Limpley Stoke. Awaiting a bridge examiner. I'm suspecting that all these impacts are happening on the west side of this bridge. Driving that road this morning and thinking 'Bridge strike location coming up', the impression was that the associated signage isn't brilliant. No indication before the turn off the A36, then an advisory on the height restriction 3/4 mile ahead - said notice among others and in a busy part of the road immediately after the turn off the A36... and then nothing apart from a couple of 'Give way' signs before the bend in the road before the at that point invisible bridge itself, it being approached via and concealed by the left hand bend immediately before it. The signage has plenty of opportunity to hide in foliage / be inconspicuous in bright sunlight. None of which is an acceptable reason for driving into the bridge of course, even the road alignment is screaming 'Drive at a speed that allows you to stop within the distance you can see to be clear'. Mark Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on May 08, 2026, 16:20:14 The 12:17 from Westbury to Swindon ran and is now sat in the bay at Swindon awaiting its next working. Looks like that unit is now going to work the 17:35 to Westbury. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on May 08, 2026, 16:23:37 The 12:17 from Westbury to Swindon ran and is now sat in the bay at Swindon awaiting its next working. Quoting the full report as it is at the moment on JourneyCheck. Whilst we can say "wouldn't it br nice if" to some aspects, this is streets ahead of what's happened on so many prior occasions. Quote Cancellations to services between Swindon and Westbury via Melksham Following a road vehicle colliding with a bridge earlier today between Bath Spa and Trowbridge the line towards Bath Spa has now reopened. Disruption is expected until 17:30 08/05. Train services between Swindon and Westbury via Melksham have been cancelled. Customer Advice - What has happened? - A vehicle had struck a bridge in the Freshford area between Bath Spa and Trowbridge. - What are we doing about it? - Trains are currently only running from Trowbridge to Chippenham via Melksham. - Trains that would normally run along that route have been diverted along the route through Melksham, which means we had to suspend our timetabled services between Swindon and Westbury, in both directions for a time. These services will shortly be running again. - What are your options? - We are sorry for the disruption to your journey today, these are the current options available to you: - Replacement transport in the form of a taxi will transport passengers from Melksham to Chippenham for the 16:39 service. - Where possible the diverted trains will make additional stops at Melksham and Chippenham, these will be advertised in journey planners once confirmed. - You can use your ticket, at no extra cost, on the local Faresaver bus route X34 between Chippenham (Bus Station, Bay 6), Melksham (McDonalds, a 10 minute walk from the station), Trowbridge (Trinity Church, a short walk from the station). Just show your train ticket to the bus driver. You can find bus times at www.faresaver.co.uk/current-timetables/ - Consider postponing your journey until our service returns to normal. - For more information: - Use the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner to check if a journey by rail is currently possible. If you are at a station please check the live departure boards or speak to a member of station staff. - Let us help you: - If you're already travelling when disruption happens, we'll get you where you need to go. If you miss the last train of the day due to cancellation or because another train was delayed, we wont leave you stranded. - If you require help, further information or would like to provide feedback, to help us improve in the future: Speak to staff at the station or on the train. Use the Customer Help Point on the platform. Message us on X @GWRHelp, Facebook Messenger @gwruk, Instagram @gwruk or WhatsApp 07890 608043. Our team is available daily between 06:00 and 23:00 Monday to Friday and 07:00 to 23:00 Saturday and Sunday. Call our Customer Support team on 03457 000 125, who are available between 08:00 and 20:00 Monday to Friday and 09:00 to 17:00 Saturday and Sunday, or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950, who are available 24 hours a day. - Delay Repay: - If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can apply for Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay - Last Updated:08/05/2026 16:09 Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: John D on May 08, 2026, 17:43:59 It is Limpley Stoke. Awaiting a bridge examiner. I'm suspecting that all these impacts are happening on the west side of this bridge. Driving that road this morning and thinking 'Bridge strike location coming up', the impression was that the associated signage isn't brilliant. No indication before the turn off the A36, then an advisory on the height restriction 3/4 mile ahead - said notice among others and in a busy part of the road immediately after the turn off the A36... and then nothing apart from a couple of 'Give way' signs before the bend in the road before the at that point invisible bridge itself, it being approached via and concealed by the left hand bend immediately before it. The signage has plenty of opportunity to hide in foliage / be inconspicuous in bright sunlight. None of which is an acceptable reason for driving into the bridge of course, even the road alignment is screaming 'Drive at a speed that allows you to stop within the distance you can see to be clear'. Mark Whatever the failure of advance signage on A36 (trunk road so Highways Authority) than doesn't advise large vehicles. Or Banes Council (the advance sign you saw, but at bottom of lots of info just before bend and narrow bridge so easily missed. Or Wiltshire Council (road has boundary at that narrow bridge) where there is no advance signage. But real problem is Network Rail, they have allowed vegetation to grow unchecked on former Cameron branch trackbed which dangles over the road obscuring the signs on the bridge itself. Of course as they own the strip of land alongside the road they could erect warning signs on their land saying low bridge facing the road, but have chosen not to. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Mark A on May 08, 2026, 19:06:07 This reminds me a bit of the bridge at Pontgolgoch, by Caersws: from the south, effective advance and repeat warnings aren't in evidence and the skew bridge span finally hoves into view as a bit of a surprise, and again, vegetation on railway land and on the bridge structure itself softened its visual impact. (Not often hit, it also had a bridge strike recently).
A fraction of the cost incurred in a bridge strike would surely pay for a lot of proactive management of vegetation at selected sites - a mown embankment on a bridge approach is in itself an effective communicator. Mark Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on May 08, 2026, 19:19:59 This reminds me a bit of the bridge at Pontgolgoch, by Caersws: from the south, effective advance and repeat warnings aren't in evidence and the skew bridge span finally hoves into view as a bit of a surprise, and again, vegetation on railway land and on the bridge structure itself softened its visual impact. (Not often hit, it also had a bridge strike recently). A fraction of the cost incurred in a bridge strike would surely pay for a lot of proactive management of vegetation at selected sites - a mown embankment on a bridge approach is in itself an effective communicator. Mark Quote 20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 Facilities on the 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12. Toilet facilities are not available. Disabled toilet facilities are not available. This is due to a fault on this train. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: TaplowGreen on May 08, 2026, 21:08:12 This reminds me a bit of the bridge at Pontgolgoch, by Caersws: from the south, effective advance and repeat warnings aren't in evidence and the skew bridge span finally hoves into view as a bit of a surprise, and again, vegetation on railway land and on the bridge structure itself softened its visual impact. (Not often hit, it also had a bridge strike recently). A fraction of the cost incurred in a bridge strike would surely pay for a lot of proactive management of vegetation at selected sites - a mown embankment on a bridge approach is in itself an effective communicator. Mark Quote 20:12 Swindon to Westbury due 20:56 21:16 Westbury to Swindon due 21:58 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12 Facilities on the 22:31 Swindon to Westbury due 23:12. Toilet facilities are not available. Disabled toilet facilities are not available. This is due to a fault on this train. Hopefully no-one's been for a pint! Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on May 09, 2026, 15:04:54 Quote 14:19 Westbury to Swindon due 15:01 14:19 Westbury to Swindon due 15:01 is being delayed between Chippenham and Swindon and is now expected to be 16 minutes late. This is due to trespassers on the railway. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on May 15, 2026, 05:52:16 Quote 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09 Facilities on the 05:11 Gloucester to Southampton Central due 08:09. Toilet facilities are not available. Disabled toilet facilities are not available. I am - relieved - to report that there are not all that many long distance passengers on this train, with the majority go customers using it for short duration journeys. There are *some* longer distance mind - including regulars off the line north of Trowbridge and carrying on to Southampton. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on May 16, 2026, 12:32:28 Quote 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 13:01 12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 13:01 will be terminated at Chippenham. It will no longer call at Swindon. This is due to a tree blocking the railway. Quote 13:13 Swindon to Westbury due 13:55 13:13 Swindon to Westbury due 13:55 will be cancelled. This is due to a tree blocking the railway. Quote 12:50 Chippenham to Westbury due 13:16 An additional train service has been planned to operate as shown 12:50 Chippenham to Westbury due 13:16. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: bobm on May 16, 2026, 12:48:41 A large branch is close to the line near Christian Malford. Trains heading west can pass it at slow speed.
Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: grahame on May 16, 2026, 15:21:27 A large branch is close to the line near Christian Malford. Trains heading west can pass it at slow speed. Quote 14:19 Westbury to Swindon due 15:01 14:19 Westbury to Swindon due 15:01 has been delayed at Chippenham and is now 11 minutes late. This is due to congestion. Title: Re: Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on May 16, 2026, 16:15:56 A large branch is close to the line near Christian Malford. Trains heading west can pass it at slow speed. There never was a branch line at Christian Malford (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Malford_Halt_railway_station). Oh, I see what you mean. :) This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |