Why does this page exist?

This page is brought to you by the Save the Train team who are campaigning for the restoration and retention of an appropriate train service linking the major population centres of Wiltshire - Swindon, Salisbury, Trowbridge, Chippenham and Melksham.

When First took over in April, 2006 we had a service of 10 trains a day and usage was growing rapidly. We now have just two round trips a day - from Swindon at 06:18 and 18:45, frequent cancellations, and a buy-on-the-day return fare from Melksham to London is no longer available for under 50 pounds - it will cost you over 100 pounds.

We're told that we have an excellent case for improvements - but all we get at each December timetable change is drafts and discussions that proposed something that is a step forward, and a FINAL timetable imposed that is - well - crap, and even that isn't run reliably!

The blame doesn't lie only with FGW, and we do have some optimism - expand the story ... here

Here are some of the recent / current problems over the FGW area as a whole:

2010020910:42Gloucester14:08Weymouthrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020910:00Penzance15:24London Paddingtonotherwise altered, catering change, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020909:53Exmouth11:35Barnstapleshort working, infrastructure issues, knock-on effect
2010020909:52Exeter St Davids10:23Exmouth-
2010020909:28Exeter St Davids10:36Barnstaple-
2010020909:00Brighton14:37Great Malvernrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020908:53Exmouth10:35Barnstapleshort working, infrastructure issues, knock-on effect
2010020908:45Westbury10:32Gloucesterrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020908:43Barnstaple10:19Exmouthshort working, infrastructure issues, knock-on effect, bus/taxi running
2010020908:33St James' Park08:41Exeter St Davidsrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020908:23Paignton09:50Exmouthshort working, infrastructure issues, knock-on effect
2010020907:25Bristol Parkway08:36Westburyshort working, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020907:20Exeter St Davids08:14Paignton-
2010020907:15Exmouth08:44Paigntonshort working, infrastructure issues, knock-on effect
2010020907:07Paignton08:21St James' Parkrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020907:01Portsmouth Harbour08:20Brightonrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020906:46Exmouth08:14Paigntonshort working, infrastructure issues
2010020906:45Frome08:46Cardiff Centralshort working, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020906:44Bristol Temple Meads07:33Westburycomplete cancellation, rolling stock issues
2010020906:30Exeter St Davids09:44London Paddingtonshort working, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020906:28Cardiff Central09:54Portsmouth Harbourextra stop(s), rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020906:25Westbury06:35Fromecomplete cancellation, rolling stock issues
2010020906:20Weston-Super-Mare08:44London Paddingtonextra stop(s), rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020906:12Exmouth08:08Barnstapleshort working, infrastructure issues, knock-on effect
List above is typical length for a 99.5% (better target) running rate for a 48 hour report such as this.
Any cancellations, short or skip stop workings below show a performance below that target.

2010020906:11Exeter St Davids07:06Paigntonrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020821:48London Paddington00:16Worcester Shrub Hillotherwise altered, catering change, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020821:37London Paddington01:39Swanseaotherwise altered, catering change, staffing issues
2010020821:25Plymouth22:40Exeter St Davidsrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020821:04Exmouth21:34Exeter St Davidsrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020821:01Frome21:11Westburycomplete cancellation, staffing issues
2010020819:32Paignton21:01Exmouthrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020819:22London Paddington22:54Herefordshort working, rolling stock issues, bus/taxi running
2010020817:55Exmouth19:30Paigntonrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020817:48Plymouth18:58Exeter St Davidscomplete cancellation, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020817:30Gunnislake18:53Liskeardrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020817:28Swansea20:32London Paddingtonotherwise altered, catering change, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020816:55Exmouth18:30Paigntonshort working, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020816:42Plymouth17:28Gunnislakerolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020816:34Reading17:54Gatwick Airportrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020816:13Paignton17:51Exmouthrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020816:10Exeter St Davids17:35Plymouthcomplete cancellation, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020816:00Penzance21:21London Paddingtonextra stop(s), rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020815:53Exmouth17:20Paigntonshort working, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020815:45Gunnislake16:30Plymouthrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020815:43Barnstaple17:22Exmouthotherwise altered, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020815:13Paignton16:50Exmouthshort working, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020815:11Hereford18:30London Paddingtonshort working, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020815:03Gatwick Airport16:23Readingrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020814:53Exmouth16:35Barnstapleshort working, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020814:43Barnstaple16:19Exmouthextra stop(s), rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020814:23Exmouth15:51Paigntonrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020814:22Paignton15:50Exmouthcomplete cancellation, rolling stock issues
2010020814:06London Paddington19:34Penzanceextra stop(s), rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020814:00Penzance19:24London Paddingtonextra stop(s), rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020813:53Exmouth15:35Barnstapleshort working, rolling stock issues
2010020813:45London Paddington16:43Swanseaotherwise altered, catering change
2010020813:43Barnstaple15:19Exmouthextra stop(s), rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020813:34Reading14:50Gatwick Airportrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020813:13Paignton14:50Exmouthshort working, rolling stock issues
List above is typical length for a 99% (lower target) running rate.
Any cancellations, short or skip stop workings below show a performance below that lower target.

2010020813:03Newquay13:52Parcomplete cancellation, rolling stock issues, bus/taxi running
2010020812:54Penzance15:41Gunnislakerolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020812:47Paignton16:29Cardiff Centralrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020812:43Barnstaple14:19Exmouthextra stop(s), rolling stock issues
2010020812:23Exmouth13:58Paigntonshort working, knock-on effect, root cause not identified
2010020812:13Paignton13:50Exmouthrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020812:11Par13:01Newquaycomplete cancellation, rolling stock issues, bus/taxi running
2010020812:03Gatwick Airport13:19Readingrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020811:30Cardiff Central14:54Portsmouth Harbourreinstated
2010020811:06London Paddington14:36Plymouthextra stop(s), rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020810:53Exmouth12:35Barnstaplerolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020810:34Reading11:50Gatwick Airportrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020810:30London Paddington12:15Bristol Temple Meadsreinstated
2010020810:23Exmouth11:51Paigntonrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020810:22London Paddington13:45Herefordshort working, rolling stock issues
2010020809:54Severn Beach10:31Bristol Temple Meadsshort working, staffing issues, bus/taxi running
2010020809:34Exeter St Davids12:42Penzancerolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020809:33Exeter St Davids12:18Cardiff Centralrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020809:31Shalford10:17Readingextra stop(s), rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020809:13Paignton10:50Exmouthrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020809:07Gatwick Airport10:23Readingrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020808:33Redhill10:01Readingskipping stop(s), rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020808:30Bristol Temple Meads10:14London Paddington-
2010020807:40Paignton11:38London Paddingtoninfrastructure issues
2010020807:34Reading09:01Gatwick Airportrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020807:25Bristol Parkway08:36Westburyshort working, rolling stock issues
2010020807:15Exmouth08:44Paigntonrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020807:09Didcot Parkway07:53Bicester Townshort working, infrastructure issues
2010020807:07Paignton08:21St James' Parkrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020807:06Newton Abbot07:29Paigntoninfrastructure issues
2010020806:51Portsmouth Harbour10:42Cardiff Centralreinstated
2010020806:29Exeter St Davids07:11Exmouthrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020806:26Bristol Temple Meads11:25Penzancerolling stock issues
2010020806:12Exmouth08:08Barnstapleinfrastructure issues
2010020806:11Exeter St Davids07:06Paigntonrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020806:07Frome08:09London Paddingtonotherwise altered, catering change, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020806:00Penzance09:21Exeter St Davidsshort working, infrastructure issues
2010020805:56Gatwick Airport07:29Readingextra stop(s), rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020805:40Plymouth10:14London Paddingtonshort working, infrastructure issues
2010020805:31Gatwick Airport06:58Readingcomplete cancellation, rolling stock issues
2010020804:34Reading05:54Gatwick Airportrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020723:45Newbury00:17Readingrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020722:32Fareham00:02Westburyrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020722:15London Paddington23:37Newburyrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020721:37London Paddington01:39Swanseaotherwise altered, catering change, staffing issues
2010020721:30Swindon22:44Weston-Super-Mareotherwise altered, catering change, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020720:30Bristol Temple Meads21:10Swindonotherwise altered, catering change, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020720:07Oxford21:51London Paddingtonrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020719:45London Paddington21:37Bristol Temple Meads-
2010020719:30Swindon20:11Bristol Temple Meadsotherwise altered, catering change, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020719:08Cardiff Central22:23Farehamrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020719:03Bicester Town19:30Oxfordcomplete cancellation, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect, bus/taxi running
2010020718:35Oxford19:00Bicester Towncomplete cancellation, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect, bus/taxi running
2010020718:30Bristol Temple Meads19:10Swindonotherwise altered, catering change, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020718:24Worcester Foregate Street21:03London Paddingtoninfrastructure issues
2010020717:44London Paddington19:27Oxfordrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020717:30Swindon18:12Bristol Temple Meadsotherwise altered, catering change, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020717:30London Paddington18:10Reading-
2010020716:42London Paddington19:30Great Malverninfrastructure issues
2010020716:33Hereford20:01London Paddingtonextra stop(s), infrastructure issues
2010020716:30Bristol Temple Meads17:10Swindonotherwise altered, catering change, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020716:28Worcester Shrub Hill19:02London Paddingtonshort working, rolling stock issues
2010020715:32Fareham18:54Cardiff Centralrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020715:18Reading16:18London Paddingtonrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020714:30Swindon15:11Bristol Temple Meadsotherwise altered, catering change, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020714:15London Paddington15:10Readingrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020712:51Weston-Super-Mare14:10Swindonotherwise altered, catering change, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020712:07Oxford13:50London Paddingtonrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020711:08Cardiff Central14:22Farehamrolling stock issues, knock-on effect
2010020710:30Swindon12:31Weston-Super-Mareotherwise altered, catering change, rolling stock issues, knock-on effect


In order to keep up to date on train reliability, the Save the Train team has learned how to monitor performance ... and the techniques we use for Melksham (population 24,000 - train service cut to 2 a day each way by First) can be applied elsewhere too. We do hope to improve the reporting and statistics from this page in the near future - at the moment, use it with care as we have a few details to resolve and in any case we can only be as good as our sources.

In the table above, we report on 129 different service(s).
Status 'short_run': 26
Status 'altered': 17
Status 'catering': 16
Status 'extra_stop': 12
Status 'canned': 11
Status 'reinstated': 3
Status 'skip_stop': 1
Reason given 'stock': 98
Reason given 'infrastructure': 16
Reason given 'staff': 4
Reason given 'not_identified': 1
Replaced by road services: 7

What service level SHOULD be achieved?

FGW run about 8500 services a week. With a weak target that 99% of them run their complete scheduled route, that means you should see 85 or less cancellations or short workings listed per week on average, which works out at 24 or less such services shown on this page which presents reports that are less than 48 hours old only. With a more reasonable 99.5% target, you should see 12 or less cancellations / short workings in any list above.

Current running rate 98.44% (38 trains cancelled or not calling at all scheduled stations)
Target running rate 99.5% or better (12 trains or fewer cancelled or running reduced routes)

For further information on First Great Western services, visit their official site. There's also a discussion forum run by passengers (and wannabe passenger).

For contact information, see the Save the Train web site or email the site admin.

This is a test page ONLY and it will tend to present optimistic figures that are showing a brighter picture than really exists.
Known issues:
Only limited status conditions are monitored
Some trains that run past midnight are double-reported
"Planned Cancellations" notified 24 hours ahaed are NOT shown
Failures on route do NOT show

Information from public sources presented by the Save the Train Campaign