Mid Cornwall Metro - Newquay, St Austell, Truro & Falmouth

[whole diary]

[Mark A]

Also, on the weekday 11:08 up to Paddington from Newquay: "Pullman dining from Plymouth".

Mark

[Witham Bobby]

8 becomes 17 in May as the enhanced Newquay service begins.

Departures from Newquay for Par are currently at 07:19, 09:24, 11:24, 13:24, 15:24, 17:24, 19:24 and 21:12.

From the timetable change they become:  07:19, 08:22, 09:20, 10:28, 11:30, 12:17, 13:25, 14:27, 15:36, 16:18, 17:27, 18:22, 19:20, 20:28 and 21:12.  In addition there's two summer trains on weekdays to London at 11:08 and 14:52...correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they only run (or not run as the case often was) at weekends last year?

Good to see, but it seems mighty ambitious
I'm remembering the days of only four or five trains on the branch per day.  For most of the year for most of the journey, they'd be mostly carrying empty seats

I'm glad things have improved since then

[Mark A]

Part of this is going to be about reliability - a missing train in the sort-of-hourly-if-not-clockface timetable would leave a two hour gap in service. Also, the two through trains to London and the one through train from London: hopefully a pattern doesn't develop of them running late, being turned round at Plymouth and not actually making it to Newquay.

Mark

[Mark A]

The 11:08 from Newquay to Paddington may be more robust in that the incoming working spends some time at Newquay having come down from Bristol (setting out just before 6am, so from the fares perspective it's a peak time service and, checking for May 20th, the advance ticket quota allocated is all on the pricey side of the scales. Oh and no connection from east of Bristol as it's before start of service in that direction.)

Mark

[bradshaw]

Is this launch day for the Mid Cornwall Metro?

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V08371/2026-05-07/detailed#allox_id=1

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V08370/2026-05-07/detailed#allox_id=0

[John D]

Is this launch day for the Mid Cornwall Metro?

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V08371/2026-05-07/detailed#allox_id=1

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V08370/2026-05-07/detailed#allox_id=0

Yes, also in a Press Release, along with other timetable improvements in 10 days time

https://news.gwr.com/news/gwrs-new-timetable-set-to-unlock-further-economic-growth-across-the-south-west-and-wales.

Although in best traditions of PR^▸ (Public Relations) spin, no mention of changes that could be seen as negative, odd train dropped here and there etc, or shorter allocated trains elsewhere to allow these extra services.

[RailCornwall]

The article and recent testing seems to indicate that at least some MCM services are to be operated by 175s. Good move if so.

[RailCornwall]

I hope there's reason behind it but the apparent lack of connectivity with services on the main GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) at Par appears shocking, Some Newquay services in the mornings departing Par three minutes before the arrival of services from Penzance will appear annoying and thats being kind.

[Geoff DC]

If the connections are sorted and a shuttle bus from St Columb Road to the airport is added, it would start to attract wider ridership in Cornwall

[Andy]

Has anyone had any information regarding loadings since the new timetable was introduced? It's very early days, there have been some "teething troubles" and changes will take time to embed but I'm curious about early signs.

[Mark A]

Video from GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) on Newquay's new train service. Striking how the appearance of Newquay's station has transformed, it looked like such a leftover before this work was done.

Mark

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPjLzRE68dk

[REVUpminster]

Has anyone had any information regarding loadings since the new timetable was introduced? It's very early days, there have been some "teething troubles" and changes will take time to embed but I'm curious about early signs.

With a five hour gap yesterday and the inability of GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) to move a defective train doesn't auger go well. No loadings on no trains.