No Records Broken Today!

Another FGW update for you, today the 1001 service from Penzance to London Paddington arrived at 1537 (booked arrival time 1523). So today that's a delay of 14 minutes. It'd be a miracle if for just one day (i.e. tomorrow) this train could arrive at Paddington on time. Let's wait and see... J.

FGW Update!

Amazing today the 1001 from Penzance to Paddington arrived at 1529, that's only 6 minutes late - amazing, incredible. Well done FGW! I hope you break a record and arrive on time tomorrow. J.

What's The Excuse Today?

It seems that almost everyday that I travel I encounter a new reason for a delay by a Train Operating Company (TOC). On Wednesday 28th February 2007 I struggled to make out the mumbled announcement that the guard or 'Train Manager' made. But having deciphered it, it was staggering. Whilst at Bristol Parkway on the 0755 ex Cardiff Central bound for London Paddington "A driver on the preceding train has reported seeing a cow in the Chipping Sodbury tunnel. We will be diverted via Bath Spa and Chippenham adding 20 minutes to the journey time." That rather ambitious 20 minute delay quickly turned into a 45 minute delay in arriving at London Paddington after following the 0830 from Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington all the way. Returning home that same day on the 1545 from Paddington to Cardiff I arrived into (Cardiff) Central 25 minutes late after slow running. I crossed platforms to await my local connection home, when the 1615 from Paddington pulled in early directly behind my train. I could have sat in London for 30 minutes more over a coffee, and arrived in Cardiff after a journey 1 hour and 55 minutes instead of the one I had of nearly 2 hours and 30 minutes. All in all I wasn't at all pleased that day, especially when facing the grim prospect of having to do it all again tomorrow to meet a relative for lunch. J.

Why Is The UK Train System So Bad?

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.