HST stabling at Worcester

[whole diary]

[willc]

It may be a non-story to your mind - but it isn't to the people involved. What's is dishonest about the trampoline one. It's a statement of what happened. The only dishonesty I can see is the theft.

And the couple are entitled to their view about idling engines, even if they may be getting a bit carried away - but we're not there, so we don't know quite what the situation is.

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) does take the idling engines issue seriously. At Oxford drivers in the sidings have been ordered to shut down HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) power cars at the north end of the train, as these are nearest to housing. I'm sure they will be doing something about Worcester - a shore line being the obvious thing in the long run but that may well depend on longer-term plans for stabling there, but it will take a long time to get there in the fragmented rail industry.

And no-one makes you buy the papers or look at their websites - the choice is yours. I've been in this game a long time and these are just the kind of things the papers I have worked for have always reported on. Things that may seem small beer in the big scheme of things but matter on a local level - that's what these papers exist for.

[IndustryInsider]

Things that may seem small beer in the big scheme of things but matter on a local level - that's what these papers exist for.

I would have to say if they matter on a local level, then the locals should be told the truth and I'm afraid that headline is frankly ridiculously OTT^▸ (Open Train Times website, or possibly 'over the top', depending on context). 'Anger at train noise' would be a responsible headline. It's a shame the industry (like so many others) have to stoop to such levels.

Trouble is there's nothing much you can do at Malvern Wells - the train is not stabling there and the total time it will be stationary there is only 10-15 minutes whilst the driver changes ends. Adelantes and Turbo's have been rumbling away for years a short way down the track at their turnback point where there are also adjacent housing. The best hope is that when signalling is replaced in the area that provision for turnback in the station is provided.

[willc]

I didn't defend the headline, because it's daft - just tried to put it into the context of the pressure local media are working under right now.

Or are all of you saying that you've never done anything in the course of your work that, had you had the opportunity to pause for thought for a moment, could have been done better?

Remember this is only a teaser for a story in the newspaper, of rather greater length, with some comment from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) - and, I hope, a better headline.

If it upsets you that much, we like feedback, so write to the editor, his email is John.Murphy@midlands.newsquest.co.uk

PS: the rail industry is quite capable of coming up with not very responsible stuff itself - eg Network Rail's current  'New West Coast main line' advertising campaign, running while bits of NR^» (Network Rail - home page)'s kit are still breaking with alarming regularity and playing havoc with Virgin and LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise)'s services.

[stebbo]

Run the train to Hereford and use the shore supply there....!

[willc]

Bit difficult when the set for the 05.17 from Malvern is already plugged into it.

[inspector_blakey]

Stick one of those multi-socket adapters in at the wall... 

[willc]

If only it were so easy. Given that it took them weeks to find parts to get the supply working again last year after years out of service, I wouldn't risk overloading it.

[willc]

Tucked away in the minutes of the Cotswolds and Malverns Transport Partnership's summer meeting is the detail that overnight stabling for three FGW^▸ (First Great Western) HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) is to be provided at Worcester. This is said to be in connection with the Reading project.

The sidings earmarked are known as the Hereford Sidings, which run parallel with Shrub Hill station, behind the island platform, and can be seen in some of the pictures here http://www.railaroundbirmingham.co.uk/Stations/worcs_shrub_hill.php
The sidings' direct connection across to the Hereford line was lost in the 1970s rationalisation of the track layout but the name has survived.

One of the FGW managers present said the intention was to have the sidings available for use from next May. No details were given in the minutes of what facilities may be provided, or whether extra staff would be taken on.

[ChrisB]

Indeed - some of the Cheltenham Spa - Padd via Stroud services will start back / be extended to Worcester SH from May11

That brokers the question as to whether the WSH - London fatres will hence be valid in either direction (South / Noth Cotswolds) from then. A Question to be asked at the next Fares meeting of the Customer Panel.

[super tm]

That brokers the question as to whether the WSH - London fatres will hence be valid in either direction (South / Noth Cotswolds) from then. A Question to be asked at the next Fares meeting of the Customer Panel.

There is already a WSH to London fare via cheltenham.  It is routed evesham/stroud. 

[ChrisB]

ok, thanks - wasn't sure.

[Mookiemoo]

yeah - but its about 25% more expensive than the route evesham

oh - and it takes longer

[ChrisB]

So, it ought to be cheaper?....I'll still take this to the Fares meeting.

[JayMac]

That brokers the question as to whether the WSH - London fatres will hence be valid in either direction (South / Noth Cotswolds) from then. A Question to be asked at the next Fares meeting of the Customer Panel.

There is already a WSH to London fare via cheltenham.  It is routed evesham/stroud. 

Can't find a Wishaw to London via Cheltenham fare in NFM07. Methinks you meant WOS^» (Worcester Shrub Hill - next trains). 

[super tm]

It is highly unlikely they will change anything.  If they reduced the price to WOS^» (Worcester Shrub Hill - next trains) they would have to reduce the price for all journeys to swindon, kemble, stroud, stonehouse, gloucester and cheltenham spa by about 25%.

Is that likely - IMHO^▸ ('in my humble opinion') no.