Train GraphicClick on the map to explore geographics
 
I need help
FAQ
Emergency
About .
 Travel & transport from BBC stories as at 00:15 14 May 2025
 
* Is the US finally on track to build a high-speed rail network?
Read about the forum [here].
Register [here] - it's free.
What do I gain from registering? [here]		 today - West Wiltshire RUG
17/05/25 - Summer Timetable Starts
18/05/25 - Portishead RNLI 10 anniversary
23/05/25 - Go-op Crowd Funding closes

On this day
14th May (1951)
first Tal-y-llyn trains run under preservation (link)
Train RunningShort Run
21:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads
•
PollsThere are no open or recent polls
•
Abbreviation pageAcronymns and abbreviations
•
Stn ComparatorStation Comparator
•
Rail newsNews Now - live rail news feed
•
Train companiesSelect from:
GWR
SWR
XC
Chiltern
TfL
TfW
WMR
Southern
• Site Style 1 2 3 4
Next departures • Bristol Temple Meads • Bath Spa • Chippenham • Swindon • Didcot Parkway • Reading • London Paddington • Melksham
Exeter St Davids • Taunton • Westbury • Trowbridge • Bristol Parkway • Cardiff Central • Oxford • Cheltenham Spa • Birmingham New Street
May 14, 2025, 00:33:27 *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Forgotten your username or password? - get a reminder
Most recently liked subjects
[346] Champion Reflections
[49] And on a hot summer's evening ...
[32] [otd] 13th May (1985) - Melksham Station re-opened
[24] Go-Op Cooperative - proposals for additional rail services
[20] Inaugural nonstop run Kings Cross to Edinburgh - 1st May 1928
[19] HS2 - Government proposals, alternative routes and general dis...
 
News: A forum for passengers ... with input from rail professionals welcomed too
 
   Home   Help Search Calendar Login Register  
Great Western Coffee Shop > All across the Great Western territory > Fare's Fair > Christmas tickets
Pages: [1]
« previous next »
  Print  
Author Topic: Christmas tickets  (Read 6050 times)
bobm
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 10246



View Profile
« on: October 07, 2013, 09:06:55 »
Advance tickets are now available up to 24th December on the FGW▸ (First Great Western) website.  So you can book the outward leg of your Christmas getaway at least!
Logged
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 19312



View Profile
« Reply #1 on: October 07, 2013, 17:20:07 »
My outward (24th) and return (27th) legs to Taunton are already booked. Outward, CrossCountry 1st Advance from Bristol on the 1115 was cheaper (^5.30 railcard) than a FGW▸ (First Great Western) Standard Advance on the 1147 (^6.60).

On the return, CrossCountry have already released their Advance Purchase for the 27th and I've bagged another ^5.30 1st Advance. This year I'm returning late evening. Last year I booked a XC▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) 1st Advance leaving Taunton at 1511 and had no seat after giving it up to an elderly lady who had a walk-up 1st Class ticket but no seat reservation.

Hopefully I won't have a repeat of this, at and from Taunton on the 27th:
Logged
"Good news for regular users of Euston Station in London! One day they will die. Then they won't have to go to Euston Station ever again." - David Mitchell
grahame
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 44068



View Profile WWW Email
« Reply #2 on: October 07, 2013, 18:19:33 »
It will be most interesting to see how Taunton copes, and whether it's megabusy or megaquiet, during the closure of Whiteball tunnel which was mentioned in open session at TravelWatch South West.
Logged
Coffee Shop Admin, Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, TravelWatch SouthWest Board Member
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 19312



View Profile
« Reply #3 on: October 07, 2013, 18:22:51 »
Well it was mega busy last December 27th, when there was also a line closure between Tiverton Parkway and Taunton.
Logged
"Good news for regular users of Euston Station in London! One day they will die. Then they won't have to go to Euston Station ever again." - David Mitchell
bobm
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 10246



View Profile
« Reply #4 on: October 07, 2013, 20:49:33 »
Quote from: grahame on October 07, 2013, 18:19:33
It will be most interesting to see how Taunton copes, and whether it's megabusy or megaquiet, during the closure of Whiteball tunnel which was mentioned in open session at TravelWatch South West.

As I understand it services will be diverted via Yeovil.  Was it mentioned what sort of service Taunton will get?  I assume services from London to the West Country would be diverted after Castle Cary leaving Taunton with a rather thin service.
Logged
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 19312



View Profile
« Reply #5 on: October 07, 2013, 22:01:51 »
What exactly is happening at Whiteball Tunnel?

Journey Planners show through FGW▸ (First Great Western) and XC▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) services operating between 27th Dec 2013 and 1st Jan 2014.
Logged
"Good news for regular users of Euston Station in London! One day they will die. Then they won't have to go to Euston Station ever again." - David Mitchell
bobm
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 10246



View Profile
« Reply #6 on: October 07, 2013, 22:03:40 »
I am trying to find where I read it, but it is late January/early February I think.
Logged
Southern Stag
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 984


View Profile
« Reply #7 on: October 07, 2013, 22:36:31 »
There certainly are weekend diversions via Yeovil planned for early next year, but I'm not 100% sure of which weekends.
Logged
grahame
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 44068



View Profile WWW Email
« Reply #8 on: October 08, 2013, 06:01:44 »
Quote from: bignosemac on October 07, 2013, 22:01:51
What exactly is happening at Whiteball Tunnel?

"Essential Engineering Work" needs to be done, but as Southern Stag follows up to comment, it's in early 2014 and not over Christmas.   At TWSW» (TravelWatch SouthWest - website), there was concern expressed at closing the main line throughout the works and questions about the period, phasing and timing.  I look forward to reading more about it (and probably in a separate thread!) as there's postable information available.
Logged
Coffee Shop Admin, Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, TravelWatch SouthWest Board Member
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 19312



View Profile
« Reply #9 on: October 08, 2013, 06:55:59 »
Not apparent in my second picture posted above, but there were other 1st Class ticket holders stood behind me, including another elderly person who it seemed was in some discomfort by standing.

Now, despite appearances, I was brought up and not dragged up, so will always give up my seat to someone I deem worthy by dint of age or infirmity, when no other seats are available. The same can not be said for the young chap with headphones. He resolutely stared out the window and stayed put.  Roll Eyes

Can. Worms. Tin opener.....
Logged
"Good news for regular users of Euston Station in London! One day they will die. Then they won't have to go to Euston Station ever again." - David Mitchell
Do you have something you would like to add to this thread, or would you like to raise a new question at the Coffee Shop? Please [register] (it is free) if you have not done so before, or login (at the top of this page) if you already have an account - we would love to read what you have to say!

You can find out more about how this forum works [here] - that will link you to a copy of the forum agreement that you can read before you join, and tell you very much more about how we operate. We are an independent forum, provided and run by customers of Great Western Railway, for customers of Great Western Railway and we welcome railway professionals as members too, in either a personal or official capacity. Views expressed in posts are not necessarily the views of the operators of the forum.

As well as posting messages onto existing threads, and starting new subjects, members can communicate with each other through personal messages if they wish. And once members have made a certain number of posts, they will automatically be admitted to the "frequent posters club", where subjects not-for-public-domain are discussed; anything from the occasional rant to meetups we may be having ...

 
Pages: [1]
  Print  
« previous next »
 
Jump to:  

Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP Powered by SMF 1.1.2 | SMF © 2006-2007, Simple Machines LLC Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!
This forum is provided by customers of Great Western Railway (formerly First Great Western), and the 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 the content provided by one of our posters contravenes our posting rules via admin@railcustomer.info. Full legal statement (here).

Jump to top of page • Jump to Forum Home Page