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Topic: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... (Read 4477 times)
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Graham Ellis
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06:44 Melksham to Westbury - gone
07:17 Melksham to Swindon - gone.
First train scheduled to depart from Melksham today is now at 19:08 to Westbury.
I understand this is due to a landslip on the Stroud Valley section.
There are times that I get pretty frustrated that a problem or engineering works away from the line cause our services to be cancelled. Recall the 10 days at the end of last August when Melksham didn't have a single train "closed due to engineering works" ... and yet diverted expresses were passing through.
So what'll happen to the units allocated to the service? Will they be added to services in and out of Bristol? Yet another morning of robbing Peter (Melksham) to pay Paul perhaps?
I have a feeling that this morning, with an unexpected landslip, FGW can be forgiven more than usual for the issues / cancellations. But, heck ... do they really need to cancel the whole run of the 07:00 from Westbury - can't they still provide the Swindon commuter service at least. We know the train used is South of the blockage.
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Nick Field
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Yes it is due to a landslip in the Kemble area, and Graham I was already thinking exactly the same thing before I even finished reading your post - why could they still not run up to Swindon?
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« Last Edit: January 16, 2007, 11:41:58 AM by Nick Field »
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Sion Bretton
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Yes I went for 7.17 and the info point advise it was running. Yes & it did not arrive. Had lift to Chippenham. If the line is closed north of Swindon. Why couldn't the train run Westbury to Swindon?  As you know the train at night runs Gloucester to Swindon (Part router). Is this because folks at Westbury & Trowbridge can go via Bath? |
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Lee
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06:44 Melksham to Westbury - gone
07:17 Melksham to Swindon - gone.
First train scheduled to depart from Melksham today is now at 19:08 to Westbury. Latest : 17:28 Cheltenham Spa to Westbury due 19:24 This train will be terminated at Gloucester and restarted from Swindon. It will no longer call at: Stonehouse, Stroud and Kemble. This is due to an earlier landslip. 18:27 Southampton Central to Cheltenham Spa due 21:27 This train will be terminated at Swindon and restarted from Gloucester. It will no longer call at: Kemble, Stroud and Stonehouse. This is due to an earlier landslip. Looks like Melksham will have trains tonight.....touch wood. |
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Lee
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A train actually derailed following the landslip (link below.) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/6265945.stmQuotes : "A spokesman for the rail operator said the derailment happened on the approach to Kemble tunnel at about 2200 GMT." "Part of the front carriage ploughed through the landslip and ended up in the tunnel entrance." "The rear coach remained on the line." "An onsite investigation began at first light on Tuesday and an early assessment is that it may take till the end of the week to shore up the bank." "The recent heavy rainfall is being blamed for causing the cutting in the run-up to the tunnel to become saturated and unstable, the company spokesman said." Thats the second derailment in a week due to landslips (see link below.) http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1062.msg2979#msg2979 |
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Sion Bretton
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I have just checked with FGW Customer Services in Plymouth 0845 7000125 they adv it will be a bus  for the service down from Swindon. |
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Lee
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Amended timetable issued (link below.) http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/FGW%20-%20071.pdf"We have been advised by Network Rail that extensive work is required to reopen the line, such as the renewal of approximately 200 metres of railway line. In addition to this, work is also required on clearing the track and stabilising the bank around the affected area. Network Rail have therefore advised us that the line is likely to remain closed until midnight on Friday 19th January." "Customers travelling from Stroud and Kemble to London As an alternative to the above transport arrangements, customers may prefer to drive to Chippenham and pick up FGW services from this station. To assist with this option, all Kemble and Stroud travel tickets will be accepted for travel from Chippenham. Additionally, parking season tickets for Kemble and Stroud will also be accepted at Chippenham." |
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Sion Bretton
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Is the train running? see below :
LIVE DEPARTURES & ARRIVALS:
18:58 CHIPPENHAM TO WESTBURY
First Great Western
As of: Tuesday 16 January 2007 17:06:53
Your page will not refresh automatically, please click here for a version that will refresh
Service times are drawn from an automated system. Whilst this is the most up to date information it is subject to some potential limitations. Click here to check potential limitations.
Back to Departures & Arrivals
Chippenham Station Information
Service Bulletins affecting Chippenham
STATION TIMETABLE EXPECTED ACTUAL
Cheltenham Spa Dep17:28 No report _
Gloucester Dep17:42 No report _
Stonehouse Dep17:54 Cancelled _
Stroud Dep17:59 Cancelled _
Kemble Dep18:14 Cancelled _
Swindon Dep18:42 No report _
Chippenham (Your station) Arr18:58 No Report _
Dep18:58 No report _
Melksham Arr19:07 No report _
Trowbridge Arr19:17 No report _
Westbury Arr19:24 No report _
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Lee
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I dont know , Sion , but the train below isnt :
18:27 Southampton Central to Cheltenham Spa due 21:27
This train will be terminated at Westbury. It will no longer call at: Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham, Swindon, Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse, Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa. This is due to an earlier landslip. No further information is available at this time.
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Chris Street
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18:27 Southampton Central to Cheltenham Spa due 21:27
This train will be terminated at Westbury. It will no longer call at: Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham, Swindon, Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse, Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa. This is due to an earlier landslip. No further information is available at this time.
I don't know what's right at the moment, here's the 3 viewpoints: 1) FGW live updates say the train will terminate at Westbury. 2) Live departure boards says the train will terminate at Swindon. 3) National Rail Enquiries say the train will terminate at Swindon. From the National Rail Enquiries website: Landslip between Stroud and Swindon Time Reported: 15 Jan 22:59 Route Affected: London Paddington – Reading – Swindon – Kemble - Gloucester - Cheltenham Spa TOC/s Affected: First Great Western Description: Train services between Stroud and Swindon are being disrupted due to a landslip in the Kemble area Train services between Swindon and Cheltenham Spa/Gloucester are subject to alterations. Please click on the 'Further Information' link below for details of First Great Westerns train service alterations which will be in place from Tuesday 16 January until further notice Replacement bus services are in operation between Swindon and Gloucester/Cheltenham Spa via Kemble in both directions calling at all stations. A timetable for these bus services are also available from the 'Further Information' link below Please note: Passengers at Stonehouse will be picked up/dropped off at Stonehouse Post office There is currently no estimate for a normal train service to resume Further Information: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/download/managed_files/FGW_Plan_Tues160107_v2-20070116135400.htm Additional Maps: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/download/managed_files/Kemble_Derailment-20070116064803.JPGThe further information link states: 1827 Southampton Central to Cheltenham Spa Terminates at Swindon, with an additional train from Gloucester to Cheltenham in this services place also 1728 Cheltenham Spa to Westbury Terminates at Gloucester, with an additional train from Swindon to Westbury So don't know which one is right at the moment? Will have to wait and see... |
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Sion Bretton
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No the train not run down from Swindon, put into a taxi.
Cystomer Services did advise me that all trains to & from Melksham from Weds to Friday are cancelled.
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Graham Ellis
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Cystomer Services did advise me that all trains to & from Melksham from Weds to Friday are cancelled.
I wote the following just before I read this, Sion: I note that all four remaining trains were cancelled yesterday and the first two this morning have already been show up as cancelled. Why is this?
I'm aware of the landslip at Kemble, but surely this releases train for you to provide the service that you're obliged to run under contract on the TransWilts line, doesn't it, even if you have a bit of empty stock working. The bay platform at Swindon is (at present) available for just the Westbury service, so surely there's not a platforming issue, and the northbound morning commuter train originates from the south so is the right side of the blockage.
Past promises of "things will get better" have proven - thus far - to be completely unfulfilled. I'm not sure what you can *say* that will re-assure me of your company's good intent at this stage - what we need to see is some action on the ground - perhaps you could re-instate the Melksham TRAIN service as from tomorrow morning, and run at least 90% of services next week. Is that too much to ask? |
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Ruthg
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They did run a bus from Westbury to Chippenham this morning, but I think most people who usually get the train decided to go via Bath instead. Unfortunately Melksham passengers don't have that choice.  |
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Lee
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3 out of 4 Melksham trains cancelled so far today (17/01/2007) :
17:28 Cheltenham Spa to Westbury due 19:24
This train has been cancelled. No further information is available at this time.
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Sion Bretton
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I was at Station to get 7.17 but at 7.25 a taxi arrive to collect people waiting for 6.44, So I got in. Chatting to him while he drove to Trowbridge he had call at 6.50 to go to Melksham Station. He came down from Chippenham.
There were no other people waiting for 7.17 or 6.44
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