2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Has 6A16 (Whatley Quarry to Oxford) sat down?

Looks like it ...

Cancellations to services between Swindon and Westbury


Due to a broken down train between Swindon and Westbury all lines towards Westbury are blocked.

Train services running through these stations will be cancelled. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

Customer Advice

Due to a train fault at Melksham, the line is blocked between Swindon to Westbury.
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Road transport will operate between Melksham to Westbury/ Melksham to Chippenham.
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We're sorry for the delay to your journey.

[grahame]

Too late to do anything about it today, but a proper integrated transport system should offer an alternative when you look up your train and try to book.  Rather that cancelled and a note that the next train is 151 minutes later, if the 09:52 id cancelled what not suggest that people catch the 09:55 bus from the top of the Trowbridge station approach - 10:29 in Melksham Town Centre and about 10:33 at the top of the Melksham Station Approach?   The fact that the bus goes past Melksham Station Approach and does not actually stop there is another issue ...

[Witham Bobby]

Has 6A16 (Whatley Quarry to Oxford) sat down?

According to Traksy, 6A16 is still somewhere between Bradford Junctions and Melksham, at 1040

[grahame]

Has 6A16 (Whatley Quarry to Oxford) sat down?

According to Traksy, 6A16 is still somewhere between Bradford Junctions and Melksham, at 1040

Without inside information, we can only guess.  JourneyCheck was telling us about problems until the end of the day, and I speculate that a skate might be needed to get something with wheel problems out of the way.   With lack of bypass loops and sidings, perhaps they are waiting for the more important lines between Chippenham and Swindon, and between Trowbridge and Westbury to become clear after service? 

[Witham Bobby]

Has 6A16 (Whatley Quarry to Oxford) sat down?

According to Traksy, 6A16 is still somewhere between Bradford Junctions and Melksham, at 1040

Without inside information, we can only guess.  JourneyCheck was telling us about problems until the end of the day, and I speculate that a skate might be needed to get something with wheel problems out of the way.   With lack of bypass loops and sidings, perhaps they are waiting for the more important lines between Chippenham and Swindon, and between Trowbridge and Westbury to become clear after service? 

Just knock the faulty vehicle out of the train and drop it onto the North Loop to await attention from C&W.  Nothing booked to run over that today.  Oh.  Wait.

I know, I know.  If only

[grahame]

12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59

12:17 Westbury to Swindon due 12:59 will be starting late from Westbury.
This is due to a broken down train.

13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57

13:14 Swindon to Westbury due 13:57 will be starting late from Swindon.
This is due to a broken down train.

[grahame]

Just knock the faulty vehicle out of the train and drop it onto the North Loop to await attention from C&W.  Nothing booked to run over that today.  Oh.  Wait.

I know, I know.  If only

Guessing on what's wrong with the train - but there IS a siding still at Thingley Junction.

[rogerw]

Just knock the faulty vehicle out of the train and drop it onto the North Loop to await attention from C&W.  Nothing booked to run over that today.  Oh.  Wait.

I know, I know.  If only

Guessing on what's wrong with the train - but there IS a siding still at Thingley Junction.

Although the siding is not easily accessible from the Melksham line

[grahame]

14:18 Westbury to Swindon due 15:00
15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:59

15:15 Swindon to Westbury due 15:59 will be diverted between Chippenham and Trowbridge.
It will no longer call at Melksham.
It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 7 minutes late.
This is due to a broken down train earlier today.

[bobm]

The problem is with the freight loco itself and fitters are having difficulty isolating components on it before it can be moved.    A rescue loco is on site ready to move it once that becomes possible.

[grahame]

The problem is with the freight loco itself and fitters are having difficulty isolating components on it before it can be moved.    A rescue loco is on site ready to move it once that becomes possible.

Thanks for that, Bob ....

18:13 Chippenham to Westbury due 18:56

An additional bus service has been planned to operate as shown 18:13 Chippenham to Westbury due 18:56.

Additional Information

Please check the stations Onward Travel Information poster and wait for the replacement road transport at the designated stop. The coach is operated by Chandlers Coach Travel.

16:23 Westbury to Chippenham due 17:04

An additional bus service has been planned to operate as shown 16:23 Westbury to Chippenham due 17:04.

Additional Information

There will be three MPV taxis from Bath Taxis. Before getting in any taxi vehicle please check with the driver that they are working on behalf of GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), the driver should not ask for payment. Please check the stations Onward Travel Information poster and wait for the replacement road transport at the designated stop.

Further Information

If you require further information please speak to our staff at the station or on the train, use the Customer Help Point, message us on X @GWRHelp or call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950.

If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can claim Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay

[grahame]

16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19

17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:19 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
Further Information

If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) train was delayed or cancelled, you can claim Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay

At least there is a replacement bus in place (scheduled to arrive Westbury 40 minutes after the train, but better than telling people to wait hours) ... not a clever day today. 

[TaplowGreen]

20:14 Swindon to Westbury due 20:57
20:14 Swindon to Westbury due 20:57 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.

[grahame]

"Short" runs this evening too - the 17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury and the 20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa both missing out Melksham.  Makes sense to be reversing TransWilts trains at Bathampton - remembering that 2 out of 3 passengers along the single line on a normal day are going through (not from or too Melksham) and so this is the best solution for them.

I have to ask ... why does it take so LONG to get a failed locomotive out of the way?  Is it part of a more general set of things that seem for whatever reason to take fare longer to sort out when things go wrong?  No backup plans?  No spares/staff around?  Extra Health and safety requirements? Everyone a specialist?

[grahame]

Cancellations to services between Westbury and Swindon via Melksham
Following a broken down train earlier today between Trowbridge and Chippenham the line has now reopened. Disruption is expected until 20:00 02/05.
Train services between Westbury and Swindon via Melksham are returning to normal but some services may still be cancelled, delayed or diverted.
Customer Advice
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We're sorry for the delay to your journey.
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A freight train locomotive had broken down on the line between Trowbridge and Chippenham. Engineers from the freight company fixed the locomotive and it has now been able to move clear of the line.
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We are now able to re-instate our train service, the first service from Westbury will be the 18:37 Westbury to Swindon and the first train from Swindon the 20:14 Swindon to Westbury.
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For the trains that are not running we have requested replacement road transport to run between Chippenham and Westbury via Melksham and Trowbridge. Please check the stations Onward Travel Information poster and wait for the replacement road transport at the designated stop. Before getting in any taxi vehicle please check with the driver that they are working on behalf of GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), the driver should not ask for payment.
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