| Archived Save the Train forum articles - 2005 to 2010. See below
And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3079 Written by admin (Graham Ellis) on Tuesday, 16th January 2007 06:44 Melksham to Westbury - gone 07:17 Melksham to Swindon - gone. First train scheduled to depart from Melksham today is now at 19:08 to Westbury. I understand this is due to a landslip on the Stroud Valley section. Re: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3080 Written by Nick Field on Tuesday, 16th January 2007 Yes it is due to a landslip in the Kemble area, and Graham I was already thinking exactly the same thing before I even finished reading your post - why could they still not run up to Swindon? Re: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3081 Written by Sion Bretton on Tuesday, 16th January 2007 Yes I went for 7.17 and the info point advise it was running. Yes & it did not arrive. Had lift to Chippenham. If the line is closed north of Swindon. Why couldn't the train run Westbury to Swindon? ;D As you know the train at night runs Gloucester to Swindon (Part router). Is this because folks at Westbury & Trowbridge can go via Bath? ;D Re: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3083 Written by Lee on Tuesday, 16th January 2007 [quote author=Graham Ellis link=topic=1086.msg3079#msg3079 date=1168928643] 06:44 Melksham to Westbury - gone 07:17 Melksham to Swindon - gone. First train scheduled to depart from Melksham today is now at 19:08 to Westbury.[/quote] Latest : 17:28 Cheltenham Spa to Westbury due 19:24 This train will be terminated at Gloucester and restarted from Swindon. It will no longer call at: Stonehouse, Stroud and Kemble. This is due to an earlier landslip. 18:27 Southampton Central to Cheltenham Spa due 21:27 This train will be terminated at Swindon and restarted from Gloucester. It will no longer call at: Kemble, Stroud and Stonehouse. This is due to an earlier landslip. Looks like Melksham will have trains tonight.....touch wood. Re: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3087 Written by Lee on Tuesday, 16th January 2007 A train actually derailed following the landslip (link below.) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/6265945.stm Quotes : "A spokesman for the rail operator said the derailment happened on the approach to Kemble tunnel at about 2200 GMT." "Part of the front carriage ploughed through the landslip and ended up in the tunnel entrance." "The rear coach remained on the line." "An onsite investigation began at first light on Tuesday and an early assessment is that it may take till the end of the week to shore up the bank." "The recent heavy rainfall is being blamed for causing the cutting in the run-up to the tunnel to become saturated and unstable, the company spokesman said." Thats the second derailment in a week due to landslips (see link below.) http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1062.msg2979#msg2979 Re: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3095 Written by Sion Bretton on Tuesday, 16th January 2007 I have just checked with FGW Customer Services in Plymouth 0845 7000125 they adv it will be a bus :P for the service down from Swindon. Re: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3099 Written by Lee on Tuesday, 16th January 2007 Amended timetable issued (link below.) http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/FGW%20-%20071.pdf "We have been advised by Network Rail that extensive work is required to reopen the line, such as the renewal of approximately 200 metres of railway line. In addition to this, work is also required on clearing the track and stabilising the bank around the affected area. Network Rail have therefore advised us that the line is likely to remain closed until midnight on Friday 19th January." "Customers travelling from Stroud and Kemble to London As an alternative to the above transport arrangements, customers may prefer to drive to Chippenham and pick up FGW services from this station. To assist with this option, all Kemble and Stroud travel tickets will be accepted for travel from Chippenham. Additionally, parking season tickets for Kemble and Stroud will also be accepted at Chippenham." Re: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3104 Written by Sion Bretton on Tuesday, 16th January 2007 Is the train running? see below : LIVE DEPARTURES & ARRIVALS: 18:58 CHIPPENHAM TO WESTBURY First Great Western As of: Tuesday 16 January 2007 17:06:53 Your page will not refresh automatically, please click here for a version that will refresh Service times are drawn from an automated system. Whilst this is the most up to date information it is subject to some potential limitations. Click here to check potential limitations. Back to Departures & Arrivals Chippenham Station Information Service Bulletins affecting Chippenham STATION TIMETABLE EXPECTED ACTUAL Cheltenham Spa Dep17:28 No report _ Gloucester Dep17:42 No report _ Stonehouse Dep17:54 Cancelled _ Stroud Dep17:59 Cancelled _ Kemble Dep18:14 Cancelled _ Swindon Dep18:42 No report _ Chippenham (Your station) Arr18:58 No Report _ Dep18:58 No report _ Melksham Arr19:07 No report _ Trowbridge Arr19:17 No report _ Westbury Arr19:24 No report _ Re: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3107 Written by Lee on Tuesday, 16th January 2007 I dont know , Sion , but the train below isnt : 18:27 Southampton Central to Cheltenham Spa due 21:27 This train will be terminated at Westbury. It will no longer call at: Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham, Swindon, Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse, Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa. This is due to an earlier landslip. No further information is available at this time. Re: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3110 Written by streety7 on Tuesday, 16th January 2007 [quote author=Lee link=topic=1086.msg3107#msg3107 date=1168969340] 18:27 Southampton Central to Cheltenham Spa due 21:27 This train will be terminated at Westbury. It will no longer call at: Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham, Swindon, Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse, Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa. This is due to an earlier landslip. No further information is available at this time. [/quote] I don't know what's right at the moment, here's the 3 viewpoints: 1) FGW live updates say the train will terminate at Westbury. 2) Live departure boards says the train will terminate at Swindon. 3) National Rail Enquiries say the train will terminate at Swindon. From the National Rail Enquiries website: Landslip between Stroud and Swindon Time Reported: 15 Jan 22:59 Route Affected: London Paddington Re: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3113 Written by Sion Bretton on Tuesday, 16th January 2007 No the train not run down from Swindon, put into a taxi. Cystomer Services did advise me that all trains to & from Melksham from Weds to Friday are cancelled. Re: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3127 Written by admin (Graham Ellis) on Wednesday, 17th January 2007 [quote author=Sion Bretton link=topic=1086.msg3113#msg3113 date=1168977163] Cystomer Services did advise me that all trains to & from Melksham from Weds to Friday are cancelled. [/quote] I wote the following just before I read this, Sion: [quote]I note that all four remaining trains were cancelled yesterday and the first two this morning have already been show up as cancelled. Why is this? I'm aware of the landslip at Kemble, but surely this releases train for you to provide the service that you're obliged to run under contract on the TransWilts line, doesn't it, even if you have a bit of empty stock working. The bay platform at Swindon is (at present) available for just the Westbury service, so surely there's not a platforming issue, and the northbound morning commuter train originates from the south so is the right side of the blockage. Past promises of "things will get better" have proven - thus far - to be completely unfulfilled. I'm not sure what you can *say* that will re-assure me of your company's good intent at this stage - what we need to see is some action on the ground - perhaps you could re-instate the Melksham TRAIN service as from tomorrow morning, and run at least 90% of services next week. Is that too much to ask?[/quote] Re: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3133 Written by Ruthg on Wednesday, 17th January 2007 They did run a bus from Westbury to Chippenham this morning, but I think most people who usually get the train decided to go via Bath instead. Unfortunately Melksham passengers don't have that choice. :( Re: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3136 Written by Lee on Wednesday, 17th January 2007 3 out of 4 Melksham trains cancelled so far today (17/01/2007) : 17:28 Cheltenham Spa to Westbury due 19:24 This train has been cancelled. No further information is available at this time. Re: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3137 Written by Sion Bretton on Wednesday, 17th January 2007 I was at Station to get 7.17 but at 7.25 a taxi arrive to collect people waiting for 6.44, So I got in. Chatting to him while he drove to Trowbridge he had call at 6.50 to go to Melksham Station. He came down from Chippenham. There were no other people waiting for 7.17 or 6.44 Re: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3184 Written by Lee on Wednesday, 17th January 2007 All 4 Melksham trains gone. Full list : 18:41 Filton Abbey Wood to Weston-super-Mare due 19:24 This train will be started from Bristol Temple Meads. It will no longer call at: Filton Abbey Wood. This is due to animals on the line. No further information is available at this time. 17:39 Weston-super-Mare to Filton Abbey Wood due 18:25 This train will be terminated at Bristol Temple Meads. It will no longer call at: Filton Abbey Wood. This is due to animals on the line. No further information is available at this time. 20:50 Worcester Shrub Hill to London Paddington due 23:24 This train has been cancelled. This is due to rolling stock shortage. No further information is available at this time. 17:52 London Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill due 20:08 This train has been cancelled. No further information is available at this time. 15:20 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:32 This train will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill. It will no longer call at: Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Moreton-In-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough, Oxford, Reading, Slough and London Paddington. This is due to earlier signalling problems. No further information is available at this time. 16:58 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 19:32 This train will be started from Worcester Foregate Street. It will no longer call at: Great Malvern and Malvern Link. This is due to earlier signalling problems. No further information is available at this time. 17:48 London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa due 20:03 This train will be terminated at Swindon. It will no longer call at: Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse, Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa. No further information is available at this time. 23:33 Swindon to Gloucester due 00:22 This train has been cancelled. No further information is available at this time. 21:52 Swindon to Cheltenham Spa due 22:56 This train has been cancelled. No further information is available at this time. 19:48 London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa due 22:03 This train will be terminated at Swindon. It will no longer call at: Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse, Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa. No further information is available at this time. 18:48 London Paddington to Cheltenham Spa due 21:03 This train has been revised. It will no longer call at: Kemble, Stroud and Stonehouse. No further information is available at this time. 18:27 Southampton Central to Cheltenham Spa due 21:27 This train will be terminated at Westbury. It will no longer call at: Trowbridge, Melksham, Chippenham, Swindon, Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse, Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa. No further information is available at this time. 17:52 Swindon to Cheltenham Spa due 19:01 This train has been cancelled. No further information is available at this time. 21:28 Worcester Foregate Street to Swindon due 22:59 This train will be terminated at Gloucester. It will no longer call at: Stonehouse, Stroud, Kemble and Swindon. No further information is available at this time. 20:46 Cheltenham Spa to Swindon due 21:49 This train has been cancelled. No further information is available at this time. 19:46 Cheltenham Spa to Swindon due 20:56 This train has been cancelled. No further information is available at this time. 18:35 Cheltenham Spa to London Paddington due 20:44 This train will be started from Swindon. It will no longer call at: Cheltenham Spa, Gloucester, Stonehouse, Stroud and Kemble. No further information is available at this time. 17:28 Cheltenham Spa to Westbury due 19:24 This train has been cancelled. No further information is available at this time. 16:35 Cheltenham Spa to London Paddington due 18:42 This train will be started from Swindon. It will no longer call at: Cheltenham Spa, Gloucester, Stonehouse, Stroud and Kemble. No further information is available at this time. Also : The line between Swindon and Gloucester will reopen at 06:00 Thursday 18 January. The 05:29 Gloucester to Westbury will not run, customers should travel on the 05:40 Cheltenham Spa to London Paddington service. Re: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3185 Written by Nick Field on Wednesday, 17th January 2007 [quote author=Lee link=topic=1086.msg3184#msg3184 date=1169058751] The line between Swindon and Gloucester will reopen at 06:00 Thursday 18 January. The 05:29 Gloucester to Westbury will not run, customers should travel on the 05:40 Cheltenham Spa to London Paddington service. [/quote] Do they suggest how one gets to Melksham / Trowbridge / Westbury if joining this service instead ? Re: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3204 Written by Lee on Thursday, 18th January 2007 Not that I saw at the time. Re: And we start the day with two more cancellations .... - 1086/3205 Written by Nick Field on Thursday, 18th January 2007 I thought not, I should of used a smiley to show that there was a certain amount of irony in my post ;) I guess though these passengers are well used fo finding out what they got to do for themselves by now! link to index of articles |
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Save the Train was the campaign to bring an approriate train service back to and through Melksham. Most big contributors are still around writing at the Coffee shop forum where new members are very welcome. The train has been saved - sort of - we have stepped back up from an unusable service to a poorish one but it's doing very well. We did that through setting up the TransWilts Community Rail Partnership. That fulfilled its early objectives; it has been taken over by local and regional government types who are now doing medium and long term work. The team from this forun can also be found at the Melksham Rail User Group (which was the Melksham Rail Development Group at the time these articles were written and we had no users. We mustn't loose sight, though, that the train service remains poor and needs our community support in marketing and campaigning to keep it going in a positive direction ... and all the more so when we're expecting to find a different normallity once we get out of the Coronavirus Pandemic and head for zero carbon via the climate crisis. Yes, it's saved ... it's now a key community facility ... the need for enhancement and the strong and near-universal local support remain, and the rail industry and goverment remain slow to move and provide the enhancements even to level us up with other towns. Please support the Melksham Rail User Group - now very much in partnership rather than protest with the rail industry and local government, including GWR, TransWilts and unitary and town councils. And please use the trains and buses, and cycle and walk when you can. -- Graham Ellis, (webmaster), February 2021 | |||
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