Why is the same train late almost every day?

[rs1952]

Look on the compay's website. There'll be a page there that will tell you about delay compensation.

Just a general point though - as I understand it, it only applies when the train you are actually on is late. If your train is cancelled (so therefore technically not delayed) you're stuffed.

[Shakermaker]

rs1952 said:

Look on the compay's website. There'll be a page there that will tell you about delay compensation.

Just a general point though - as I understand it, it only applies when the train you are actually on is late. If your train is cancelled (so therefore technically not delayed) you're stuffed.

Depends if you have a pre-booked ticket or not as well

[rs1952]

Shakermaker said:

rs1952 said:

Look on the compay's website. There'll be a page there that will tell you about delay compensation.

Just a general point though - as I understand it, it only applies when the train you are actually on is late. If your train is cancelled (so therefore technically not delayed) you're stuffed.

Depends if you have a pre-booked ticket or not as well

And that's one of the reasons I suggested that the poster looks on the company's website. The conditions can vary slightly because, whilst there are minimum standard laid down, some companies find it good PR to give a better deal than the minimum.

With GWR for example, a pre-booked advance ticket for a train that is cancelled only allows you to use a different train that you would not otherwise have been able to use. You'll get no shekels out of them in such circumstances.

[theplayingmantis]

the train companies rely on people not bothering to claim., and those that do its such a hassle as they reject claims all to readily.

im also sure there website that gave you all the details to be able to claim once you put your to/from stations in.

there is one think that you can pay for them to do automatically on your behalf (unless i just made that up)

i don't see how they can prove if its a train you were actually on either way. - barriers not always being closed, tickets not working automatically so getting the bloke to open the gate for you (i mean if they bothered to try and track each individual claimant being on the train eligible to claim)

[Puggit]

Local trains on the Bedwyn/Newbury route to Reading are also frequently late. The main cause, I believe, it giving priority to Reading<>Taunton intercity trains. Quite often we'll be sat for 5 mins at Reading waiting for a late running Penzance train. Of course, that never happens when I'm connecting at Reading - then they always leave on time!

For some reason the time table brings in cross country trains from Birmingham at the same time as the train leaves to Newbury.

[SWTH]

Puggit said:

Local trains on the Bedwyn/Newbury route to Reading are also frequently late. The main cause, I believe, it giving priority to Reading<>Taunton intercity trains. Quite often we'll be sat for 5 mins at Reading waiting for a late running Penzance train. Of course, that never happens when I'm connecting at Reading - then they always leave on time!

For some reason the time table brings in cross country trains from Birmingham at the same time as the train leaves to Newbury.

Thing is, if the Bedwyn stopper is let out in front of the Penzance, it’ll properly stuff the long distance train. Better to hold the local service 5 mins than have the long distance train crawling along behind it while it stops at every pile of bricks on the way to Bedwyn, by which time the Penzance could be 30L (especially if it’s one booked to call at Newbury for example) rather than 5L, meaning at Exeter everyone misses their connections for Exmouth, the sea wall local stops and Barnstaple, at Plymouth they might miss the Gunnislake service and local stopper to Saltash, St. Germans etc, at Liskeard it might miss the Looe service, at Par the Newquay service, at Truro the Falmouth branch connection, and at St Erth the St Ives connection. Arriving 30L at PZ could then stuff up the return working, making even more problems.

That’s why long distance trains almost always get priority.

[rs1952]

Puggit said:

Local trains on the Bedwyn/Newbury route to Reading are also frequently late. The main cause, I believe, it giving priority to Reading<>Taunton intercity trains. Quite often we'll be sat for 5 mins at Reading waiting for a late running Penzance train. Of course, that never happens when I'm connecting at Reading - then they always leave on time!

For some reason the time table brings in cross country trains from Birmingham at the same time as the train leaves to Newbury.

That will be another case of express trains not being able to pass slower ones on a long section without loops, so the stoppers get held at either Reading or Bedwyn.

As SWTH said earlier in the thread, London-bound trains running out of course are especially prone to further delay as they get closer to Paddington on the fast line, so getting the expresses in so that they can be quickly turned round and sent out again takes priority.

Edited to add - pity we can never know when somebody else is typing a very similar reply to yours

Edited by rs1952 on Monday 19th November 20:28

[Puggit]

I totally understand why the Reading<>Bedwyn trains are held up - just wish the intercity trains would stop half a mile from home, instead of making me schlep to Reading

[BrabusMog]

Puggit said:

I totally understand why the Reading<>Bedwyn trains are held up - just wish the intercity trains would stop half a mile from home, instead of making me schlep to Reading

Don't some of them stop at Reading West? Or is that the wrong side of town for you?

[Puggit]

BrabusMog said:

Puggit said:

I totally understand why the Reading<>Bedwyn trains are held up - just wish the intercity trains would stop half a mile from home, instead of making me schlep to Reading

Don't some of them stop at Reading West? Or is that the wrong side of town for you?

Theale is my nearest station - but where the train runs through Ufton Nervet is near home

There's no longer a level crossing there, by the way. Nice new sweeping bridge - great to hoon over

[BrabusMog]

Puggit said:

Theale is my nearest station - but where the train runs through Ufton Nervet is near home

There's no longer a level crossing there, by the way. Nice new sweeping bridge - great to hoon over

Ah, that would be frustrating. I live pretty much equidistantly from Reading and Reading West, I'd hate to have to double back on myself like that. Walking home from Reading West is preferable, as I don't have to run the junkie gauntlet!