GWR timetable

Ahead of a major timetable change on December 15, Great Western Railway is confident it will not be affected by problems similar to those suffered by the industry in May 2018.

GWR is introducing its biggest timetable recast since the introduction of High Speed Trains in 1976, with 75% of all trains changing times, meaning an extra 10,000 more seats per day into London Paddington at peak-time.

Further west, there is a 24% increase in trains terminating at Exeter St Davids, as GWR improves frequency and capacity in the

South West.

GWR spokesman Dan Panes said: “We aren’t in the same position as other parts of the UK network were last year, where the trains needed to run and the timetable was not in place, late changes had been made to the timetable, and staff rosters were not completed in time for the change.

“We have been running Intercity Express Trains for well over a year, and they have been performing better than the trains they replaced. We have been very clear that we won’t be accepting any changes to the timetable.

“Because of the scale of the change, we began work with colleagues and trade unions representatives on rosters significantly earlier than normal. We are confident our preparations are in the right place so customers can benefit from the new timetable.”

Panes added that a new timetable will not make the operator immune from day-to-day challenges, and that non-timetable-related problems will be measured.

Meanwhile, TfL Rail has taken over two GWR diagrams ahead of the change, between London Paddington and Reading.

The first was on November 25, when 345011 formed the 0732 Reading-Paddington. Running Monday-Friday, TfL also operated the 0830/1828 Paddington-Reading ,0939 Reading-Paddington, 1656 Paddington-Maidenhead (184 2 return)

A Saturday-only service also runs between Reading and London Paddington. Departures from Reading are at 0719, 1018, 1318, 1618 and from Paddington at

0842, 1142, 1442 and 1742.