But when they run a bit like this now (in the evening peak) it doesn't cope with the slightest late running in either direction, Newbury clogs up and the single unit is supplemented with extra trains anyway.

Agreed through to Westbury is better all round.

The infrastructure can't cope with one shuttle, there would need to be two plus somewhere to loop units. There is only so much looping at Newbury that can be done.

I have always presumed since the Flex order went in that we'll be seeing those on the Bedwyn line.

Triffic, thanks...

Can anyone tell/does anyone know whether point heaters have been fitted to the points and turnback at Bedwyn. The lack of them was apparently the reason why all Bedwyns were cancelled when it was cold in March, due to worries over possibly blocking the main line. Hence canncellations in no snow. NR^» (Network Rail - home page) Sid they were going to.

To also note that at no time did the Kennections 4 Newbury-Hungerford via Kintbury bus stop running. The roads were bad.

To confirm:

The decision was taken Friday night to cancel all Bedwyn stoppers for Saturday. The service remained suspended until Sunday afternoon. It was resuspended all day Monday and the only trains today stopping between Newbury and Bedwyn have been the HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) services that start/end beyond Westbury. Through trains have run fine throughout. No extra stops have been made.

The siding at Bedwyn is the reason and presume was the reason why services were suspended from Friday 2 March to Sunday 4 March in the last snow. Temps at Bedwyn have been above freezing since 1130. But no trains. No info re buses either.

So have concluded this will happen every time temperature goes to freezing. Of course in between the snow suspensions we have had the engineering closure. So no trains for 10 of last 18 days.

The briefings at the 'meet the manager' sessions recently had no mention of this, I was assuming maybe another 3 weeks, but we have 8 and a vague sense that there will be more.
Publicity wise we have a small yellow notice on one platform at Kintbury with the original dates.I really am worried how badly this could go. Guess I find out in a few weeks with attempt 1.

I would be happy with 317361 round here I think...grew up with it!

We are up to 11 weeks of closures now, including 3 weeks in the summer. Only 3 weeks up at stations but worse on GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway).com.

Anyone have any more detail? And why has 3 weeks suddenly become 11?