It should be back to normal by then; the website states end of February is when it should revert.
I did it pre covid . A trip to Plymouth for the purpose of using the pull man each way.
Yeah I know your partner provided your user name is accurate lol. Us Plymouth drivers, the pride of the Western haha.
Yes my user name is correct
Surely it’s no longer called that, is it? Or indeed anything else?!
Unfortunately GWR dropped its named services. The Golden Hind in both directions was at one time an untouchable train,ie nothing must delay it. You paid a price for it though as it was and still is a peak fare train. Its restaurant pre-IET was popular and it was never the same after the 800/802s came along. Covid rang its death nell and now it’s just another random train that suffers the same delays but still at full price.
The Western’s “Highland Chieftan” I suppose, of sorts!
Do we know what the reason was for that?
It came with the December 2019 timetable change, and with it standardisation of the timetable.
I'm thinking tomorrow, so presumably less busy! I suppose best bet is to turn up early and try and get one of the solo seats? I'd rather board at Reading, but will go from Paddington to ensure a decent seat if need be.
I've boarded that train at Reading 3 or 4 times last year, never been a problem. Always got a single seat. Can't remember if it was a Friday though.
Thanks, that was my guess!
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The crew for that service travel down on the 1303 from Paddington to Plymouth which would appear to have been diverted via Bristol and terminated at Exeter 68 mins late so I would guess that's the reason. GWR appear to have had another challenging week, a member of my family travelled from Totnes to Paddington on Tuesday returning yesterday - both services were over an hour late (failed freight train at Reading West yesterday, don't know the reason for Tuesday delay) they must be handing out a small fortune in delay repay, particularly as TM's are (correctly) using PA announcements to remind people to claim.
It always amazes me how many people don't claim...then complain about the price of train tickets and that trains are late!
Agreed, but it's not just infrastructure. On my trip to London last week we were spot on time and then suddenly slowed on the Westbury avoider. Looking at Traksy, a freight train running 17 mins early was sent out in front of us so we had to crawl for miles until it could be looped at Woodborough, by that time we were 20 late. Commendably, lateness was pulled back to 14min by Paddington (and avoided delay repay for GWR!). The big delays/diversions on this last Wednesday afternoon were due to a freight failing across the junctions by Reading West thus blocking both the Newbury and the Basingstoke lines.
Indeed poor regulation is a big issue on the B and H. An extra signal section between Castle Cary and Somerton would be a big help in the down direction. I generally find I get quite a better run on the Up, however as soon as a freight is given priority it is generally game over!
All dates are now available for most of April. It appears Pullman is staying on the 1803 for the foreseable future.
