2021 Exeter to Birmingham XC service

[Martin_1981]

I notice this evening that there is a 20:21 XC service from Exeter St Davids to Birmingham New Street which takes 3 hours 40 mins and goes via Westbury, Bath, Worcester and Kidderminster. I believe this train used to start at Paignton around 20:20 before the December timetable change which didn't go via Westbury but did go via Worcester and Kidderminster.

I presume this new service goes via Westbury for route learning purposes?

Also, did I read on another thread that XC are pulling out of Paignton later this year?

 

[louis97]

It still is booked to start from Paignton, normally 2019 departure, its amended tonight because of engineering works between Taunton and Bristol. It doesn't normally go via Westbury.

 

[lammergeier]

Not seen/heard any concrete plans for ending services to Paignton, although it's certainly possible in this current climate.

 

[dk1]

Not seen/heard any concrete plans for ending services to Paignton, although it's certainly possible in this current climate.

Seems very odd as most of this Torbay traffic is leisure. The very thing railways are thriving at now.