Shortage of train crews on Great Western Railway - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

.......judging by today's map & JourneyCheck,  it would seem that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) BBQ season is underway......

[GBM]

.......judging by today's map & JourneyCheck,  it would seem that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) BBQ season is underway......

Depressing 

[Fourbee]

0612 Gatwick Airport to Reading terminated short at Redhill (it's DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) between Gatwick and Redhill) then headed to Reading ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock), so it may be safe to assume it's the lack of a guard for that one which was a 3-car. The next train, the 0759 is a 2-car. Train faults/crew shortage seem to be creeping in regularly/daily on the North Downs' Line. With a relatively frequent frequency compared to some, may not be a problem. Not sure I'd be relying on it if I had a flight to catch, however.

[Timmer]

Not a great start to the new timetable is it. Let’s hope there are some reinstatements later in the day, particularly for up services from the SW as there are some nasty gaps between trains.

Cardiff-Portsmouth isn’t look great either, particularly south of Westbury later in the day.

[TaplowGreen]

All week people have been bewailing the loss of the Penzance - Aberdeen service.

Just getting out of Devon/Cornwall from that point of origin will be a struggle today.


10:10 Penzance to London Paddington due 15:27
10:10 Penzance to London Paddington due 15:27 will be started from Plymouth.
It will no longer call at Penzance, St Erth, Camborne, Redruth, Truro, St Austell, Par, Lostwithiel, Bodmin Parkway and Liskeard.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

12:18 Penzance to London Paddington due 17:30
12:18 Penzance to London Paddington due 17:30 will be terminated at Plymouth.
It will no longer call at Totnes, Newton Abbot, Exeter St Davids, Tiverton Parkway, Taunton, Reading and London Paddington.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

15:18 Penzance to London Paddington due 20:27
15:18 Penzance to London Paddington due 20:27 will be terminated at Exeter St Davids.
It will no longer call at Tiverton Parkway, Taunton, Reading and London Paddington.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

[Timmer]

You missed this one TG:

13:35 Newquay to London Paddington due 18:27
13:35 Newquay to London Paddington due 18:27 will be terminated at Plymouth.
It will no longer call at Totnes, Newton Abbot, Exeter St Davids, Tiverton Parkway, Taunton, Reading and London Paddington.

Hence my concern early because the train before also only gets as far a Plymouth. Again, let’s hope for reinstatements or it’s going to be tough going for those heading back to London later.

[Timmer]

Good news that the 12.18 PNZ-PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) will now run as scheduled through to London.

[TaplowGreen]

Looks like a few BBQs starting early this weekend, let's hope they aren't extending into tomorrow & Monday........

[Timmer]

Not a great start for the first weekend of the Pembroke Coast Express. At least an onward coach is being provided.

08:48 London Paddington to Pembroke Dock due 13:50 will be terminated at Swansea.

It will no longer call at Llanelli, Pembrey & Burry Port, Carmarthen, Whitland, Saundersfoot, Tenby, Manorbier, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Additional Information
Road transport is in place from Carmarthen. Please travel on the 11:49 from Swansea and change for a coach.
Operated by Davies Coaches.

15:02 Pembroke Dock to London Paddington due 20:13 will be started from Swansea.

It will no longer call at Pembroke Dock, Pembroke, Lamphey, Manorbier, Penally, Tenby, Saundersfoot, Kilgetty, Narberth, Whitland, Carmarthen, Pembrey & Burry Port and Llanelli.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Additional Information
Road transport towards Swansea is in place from Pembroke Dock.

[TaplowGreen]

From National Rail

Route(s) affected
Across the Great Western Railway network

Description
A shortage of train crew means fewer trains are able to run on some lines. As a result, trains may be cancelled or revised.

Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

The following routes are currently affected:

Reading and Gatwick Airport

Gloucester and Bristol Temple Meads

Exeter St Davids / Exeter Central and Okehampton (with no trains between 16:30-20:00)

[Hafren]

Not a great start for the first weekend of the Pembroke Coast Express. At least an onward coach is being provided.

08:48 London Paddington to Pembroke Dock due 13:50 will be terminated at Swansea.

It will no longer call at Llanelli, Pembrey & Burry Port, Carmarthen, Whitland, Saundersfoot, Tenby, Manorbier, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

Additional Information
Road transport is in place from Carmarthen. Please travel on the 11:49 from Swansea and change for a coach.
Operated by Davies Coaches.

I wonder how all those half-term travellers with their luggage felt about being crammed on a 2 car unit. Better than nothing but not a good journey for the leisure travellers we want to encourage!

[grahame]

I wonder how all those half-term travellers with their luggage felt about being crammed on a 2 car unit. Better than nothing but not a good journey for the leisure travellers we want to encourage!

27 late from Swansea, 27 late into Carmarthen.  Hope the road transport waited.   The Paddington train was due in at 12:24, the Milford Haven at 12:37 and actually got there at 13:04.