Trains to Hereford & Swindon.

[whole diary]

[Branch Line Connor]

Hi 

I hope I've posted this in the right place.

Basically, on April 14th I'm hoping to travel to Swindon via train from Plymouth. I have to change at Bristol Parkway according to the journey planner and have about 20 minutes to do so- I've never been Bristol Parkway before so I'm wondering if 20 minutes will be enough time to changeover trains- And how easy it is to get from A to B at Bristol Parkway. Also, just checking... No engineering work planned, yes? Hopefully the trains are reliable.

On Good Friday- Do trains runs? To get to Hereford from Plymouth I have to change at Newport Gwent? I've never been there before so again same questions that I've asked about Bristol Parkway.

Thanks
Connor.

[old original]

no problem, it only takes a couple of minutes to change at parkway and not much longer at Newport

[ellendune]

I frequntly do 2 minute connections at Bristol Parkway - min you I have to get organised for that.

[Branch Line Connor]

And trains defiently run on Good Friday? 

[inspector_blakey]

For engineering work, check the National Rail and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) websites.

A 20-minute change of trains at either Parkway or Newport should be absolutely no problem at all; in fact you'll probably end up being bored waiting ages for your connecting train, assuming the incoming service arrives at or close to right-time. In the worst case scenario at either station you'd have to go up some stairs and cross to another platform. Assuming you were coming up from PLY^» (Plymouth - next trains) on an XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) service, unless things were running out of course you'd most likely have a "same platform" connection at Bristol Parkway, so you'd just have to step down from the first train and wait in the same place for the second.

And trains defiently run on Good Friday? 

I assume you have heard of online journey planners? Put in your journey details and provided you give the right date then they'll give you the right service. Yes of course trains run on Good Friday: there are only two days a year when the railway system shuts down completely and those are 25/26 Dec. It may be a modified service from a normal weekday but if you're brave and go here then you'll get exact details.

[JayMac]

Your train from Plymouth - Bristol Parkway and the service from Bristol Parkway - Swindon will almost certainly use the same platform at Bristol Parkway, so interchange should be a doddle.

And yes, trains do definitely run on Good Friday, but maybe subject to engineering works. Some early morning and late evening services may not run and frequency maybe less than on a normal week day.

As you already mention changing at Newport for your trip to Hereford I assume you've already made a journey or ticket enquiry. If you can see it on a journey planner or book it on a ticket website then it's running!

EDIT: Apologies for duplicating inspector_blakey's excellent advice. Great minds think alike! 

[Branch Line Connor]

Thanks for the help guys, appreciated