Swindon <-> Westbury service updates and amendments, ongoing discussion - 2026

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

Would it be realistic (though uncharitable) to suggest that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are sending out trains at the start of the day that aren't going to be able to manage their full diagram?

Given the number of other lines listed in a similar position to the TransWilts I don't think anyone would challenge that view too much.....perhaps it's send them out on a wing & a prayer and hope for the best?
.

[Chris from Nailsea]

.....perhaps it's send them out on a wing & a prayer and hope for the best?

Rather like the Battle of Britain, then: put up everything we've got, knowing that some of them won't make it back. 

[ChrisB]

Down to Drivers deciding cabs are too hot to work in at some stage in their shift

[TaplowGreen]

........and for a bit of variety.....

20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06
20:06 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 22:06 will be cancelled.
This is due to a safety inspection of the track.

[John D]

Down to Drivers deciding cabs are too hot to work in at some stage in their shift

which rather suggests the maintenance depots are not maintaining the a/c to expected standards of train crew (it's like they work for different companies with different standards).

The new Emirates stock designed to not exceed 23c even when outside temperature is +60c, Eurostar new stock has been specified to work at +55c.    GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) depots cannot cope with maintaining it to cope with temperatures nearer 33c, a mere 10c reduction required (rather than 22-27c reduction)

I guess the depots revealingly their quality standards, but worth remembering same depots with these standards also maintain the trains brakes.

[ChrisB]

Hold old are these units? What was the average summer temperatuire back then>? Why would you design an AC^▸ (Air Conditioning, or Alternating Current (electricity), depending on context) that needed to do much more than average at that time? You wouldn't

They all need new kit. There is no money, so units are failed by drivers

[grahame]

16:23 Westbury to Swindon due 17:05
17:35 Swindon to Westbury due 18:18
18:35 Westbury to Swindon due 19:17
19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29

19:44 Swindon to Westbury due 20:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.

[grahame]

Oh dear ... we are told not to mention BBQs.  So perhaps I should not mention a football match in Miami tonight?

There is a sad pattern ... "severe weather", big match, public holidays ... where GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are simply unable to provide the service that they are contracted to provide or the public really need if they are to rely on trains.  I am not looking to attach any blame there - just stating a fact we can see from the stats.  98% achieved on a "normal" week - a fair weather railway, but then it goes pear-shaped.    But then once the immediate situation is resolved, we move on / persuaded to the "yes it's better" and the underlying things that caused the problems are just glossed over / forgotten - except by the disappointed customers who are put off / have been suppressed from using the railway.

[TaplowGreen]

Oh dear ... we are told not to mention BBQs.  So perhaps I should not mention a football match in Miami tonight?

There is a sad pattern ... "severe weather", big match, public holidays ... where GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are simply unable to provide the service that they are contracted to provide or the public really need if they are to rely on trains.  I am not looking to attach any blame there - just stating a fact we can see from the stats.  98% achieved on a "normal" week - a fair weather railway, but then it goes pear-shaped.    But then once the immediate situation is resolved, we move on / persuaded to the "yes it's better" and the underlying things that caused the problems are just glossed over / forgotten - except by the disappointed customers who are put off / have been suppressed from using the railway.

I think one of the most frustrating things here is that so many of these cancellations are down to avoidable own goals - GWR (and it is 100% their responsibility as the employer) failing to provide a tolerable working environment for their staff, failing to manage heat related risks which is seeing entire branches virtually shut down for much of the day as staff, quite rightly, do not feel safe or able to work in these conditions.

The message again - don't rely on the railway in anything other than Spring-like conditions, or as Graham suggests,  during holiday periods or major sporting (especially football) events.

[grahame]

The message again - don't rely on the railway in anything other than Spring-like conditions, or as Graham suggests,  during holiday periods or major sporting (especially football) events.

Tomorrow - Sunday, 12th July, I have an appointment at the Great Western Hospital at 11:45.  So that's the 08:52 train from Melksham and a bus from Fleming Way to the hospital.  Being a Sunday, buses to the hospital may be thin - but I have nearly 3 hours from Swindon Station. The next train, on time, would give me just 15 minutes!

Yes, I *do* have a "Plan B" if things go wrong.One advantage of having to start to absurdly early is that I should have time to implement that backup plan too.

[bobm]

Buses are not too bad to the hospital on a Sunday.   The 1/1A/1B and 12 combine to give three buses an hour.

Edit to add.  For the return the 12 has the advantage it stops outside the railway station after Fleming Way - but only runs hourly at 33 mins past the hour from the hospital.

[grahame]

Buses are not too bad to the hospital on a Sunday.   The 1/1A/1B and 12 combine to give three buses an hour.

Edit to add.  For the return the 12 has the advantage it stops outside the railway station after Fleming Way - but only runs hourly at 33 mins past the hour from the hospital.

Thanks, Bob - it's an investigation machine I'll be on so I suspect I'll like something of a walk when back in Swindon rather than being too out of action to get to the station.

[grahame]

Cancellations to services between Chippenham and Trowbridge via Melksham
Due to a shortage of train crew between Westbury and Swindon disruption is expected until 20:30 11/07.
Train services between Chippenham and Trowbridge via Melksham have been cancelled.

Customer Advice
Owing to a shortage of train crew several afternoon / evening journeys on the Westbury - Swindon - Westbury (via Melksham) route have been cancelled.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause to your intended journey on this route today.

Taxis will operate in place of the cancelled train services between Chippenham and Westbury in both directions, calling at Melksham and Trowbridge. This road transport is intended to connect at Chippenham out of the next Swindon to Chippenham train service (normally a service to Bristol Temple Meads) following the cancelled Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham service. From Westbury they will connect at Chippenham into train services towards Swindon, Didcot Parkway, Reading and London Paddington.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Somewhat ironically, 'On This Day' reports that there used to be trams in Swindon ... 

[grahame]

19:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 22:00

19:38 Weymouth to Swindon due 22:00 is being delayed at Weymouth.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.

Ironic as it sits in the Jersey Sidings (cooking!) all day.

20:06 rather than 19:38 off Weymouth.