A very interesting question I know. As I researched the information for this blog yesterday there were signalling problems between Aylesbury and Princes Risborough. A landslip at Cam & Dursley - that affected who other than First Great Western. And there was a derailed train between Tonbridge and Redhill. Meanwhile the 0754 TGV Duplex departure yesterday morning from Paris Gare de Lyon arrived at Nice Ville at 1327 some 13 minutes early (booked arrival time 1340). That's 5 hours and 33 minutes for a journey of roughly 600 miles. Making an average speed on that particular TGV of approximately 110 miles per hour. So when we compare that journey to one in the UK it's damning. The 1001 First Great Western departure yesterday morning from Penzance arrived at London Paddington at 1540 some 17 minutes late (booked arrival time 1523). That's 5 hours 39 minutes for a journey of roughly 300 miles. Making an average speed on that particular HST of approximately 50 miles per hour. That's pathetic when you think that First Great Western's HST fleet are capable of 125 miles per hour. What do you reckon - should we all move to France? Can FGW get any later? Watch this space, as this afternoon I'll be telling you if that 1001 from Penzance managed to arrive at Paddington on time today. J.
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Perhaps your comments would be more effective if aimed at politicians. I would think 2% on income tax would pay for modernising the railway infrastructure. It's hardly the TOCs fault if the rail network is outdated, the signals unreliable, heavy rain has caused landslips and cows are wandering all over it. In the same way that it's not your fault if you are driving somewhere and the road is blocked. And even TGVs couldn't run at 125 mph on 85 mph tracks.
The TOC is obviously at fault sometimes, but less often than you seem to think. The network is in poor condition and there is no prospect of it improving in the foreseeable future. That's the reality, John.
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