"Full and standing" between Trowbridge and Melksham. What more evidence do FGW and DfT need?

All I can say is keep up the good work, TWR.

 
Passengers on the 08:20 from Swindon to Weymouth grew through July ... this one has caught the imagination. Can't say I'm surprised - it's a brilliant opportunity at a good price for an area / line that's been crying out for something better than it's had available for five years. Operational plans have been changed thank you, FGW to avoid a repeat of:



Publicity has actually been much more limited than we would have planned, and indeed we've pulled many of the extra options we were organising for fear that the advertising would attract many more people onto the 08:20 ... and have a knock-on effect on the 17:56 ex Weymouth regular service train on return.  With First's planned changes, and with our changes (which includes extra publicity on the 08:20 for the 16:10 return to Chippenham and Swindon via Bath to spread the load), I'm confident that great days will be had by all through August.  I really don't know, though, how busy it will be this Sunday.  Nor do I know (if numbers drop) whether I should blame adverse publicity from last weekend's "Full and Standing", the weather, more limited publicity, or some other factor.

If any Coffee Shop members are coming, please let me know.

 
For anyone not familiar with the layout of railway lines in the area, and connecting services, here's a sketch map:



Purple - TransWilts / through service from the TransWilts
Red - connection trains
Orange - buses and coaches
Green - Walk and Cycle trips

 
3rd July ... the every Sunday from 17th July to 28th August.

An extra train leaves Westbury at 07:30 for Swindon, where it connects into the first London express of the day.
Intermediate calls - Trowbridge, 07:36. Melksham 07.45 and Chippenham 07:55.

The train then returns from Swindon at 08:20 to Westbury, from where it continues to Weymouth.
Intermediate calls - Chippenham, 08:36, Melksham 08:46, Trowbridge 08:55.

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London (Paddington) arrival 09:39 (connection from Swindon)
Return service leaves at 17:00 - connects into the 18:19 Swindon to Westbury

Weymouth arrival 10:42 (through train from Swindon)
Return service leaves Weymouth at 17:56 - divides at Westbury, one portion forming the 19:35 Westbury to Swindon, where it arrives at 20:20

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Other advertised day-out opportunities which run EVERY SUNDAY in the series:

a) From Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham and Trowbridge - to Frome, Castle Cary, Yeovil and intermediate stations via Dorchester to Upwey.

b) From Swindon, Chippenham and Melksham to Salisbury (Change Westbury, 50 minute wait).  From there regular bus to Stonehenge.

c) From Swindon, Chippenham and Melksham to Trowbridge. Kennet and Avon canal walk from there to Seend, Sells Green, and Devizes, return to Melksham on the 272 bus (yes, it runs on Sunday) at 16:29 or 18:29 for onward train.   Ask for Melksham STATION on the bus, please.  Bus also calls at Sells Green and the road end at Seend a few minutes after it leaves Devizes for shorter walkers

d) Kennet and Avon canal walk from Bedwyn to Pewsey.  Leave Swindon at 09:11, change Reading to Bedwyn.  8 mile walk to Pewsey. 19:09 train from Pewsey to Westbury, connecting into the 19:35 to Swindon.  Available from all stations on the line - start off on the 07:30 from Westbury up to Swindon ...

e) To Swindon (for the Oasis, Outlet Centre, Town Centre, Steam Museum and much more). 
http://www.steam-museum.org.uk/ - open 10:00 to 17:00
http://www.swindon.gov.uk/lc/lc-sportrec/lc-sportrec-facilities/Pages/lc-sportrec-facilities-oasisleisurecentre.aspx
http://www.swindondesigneroutlet.com/

f) To Didcot - Railway Centre. Steam open day EVERY Sunday that our train is running.  Arrive Didcot at 08:43, return at 17:53.  Note that railway centre does not open until 10:30 and closes at 17:00 - we suggest you may like to nake this a "double trip" with Oxford followed by a break of journey at Didcot on your return.
http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/events/calendar.html

g) To Oxford - arrive 09:15.   The 07:30 from Westbury, pick up at Trowbridge (07:36) and Melksham (07:45), change at Swindon and Didcot.  Return from Oxford at 17;05, change at Didcot and Swindon into the 18:19 to Westbury.

The following are also possible trips every Sunday (details not provided as part of our formal advertising!)

From Swindon and stations to Westbury to Southampton, Portsmouth. To Taunton and Exeter. To Minehead via Westbury, Taunton, No. 28 bus to West Somerset Railway and steam train to Minehead.

From Westbury and stations to Swindon to the Thames Valley stations and branches - Cholsey, Goring, Pangbourne, Henley, Marlow, Windsor

From Melksham - day out in Bath, Bristol or Weston-super-mare.

From Swindon, Chippenham and Melksham to Trowbridge - Kennet and Avon canal walk to Bradford-on-Avon, Avoncliff or Bath.

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The following will run on certain Sundays:

1) Coach link from Westbury to Longleat and Stourhead off the 08:20 from Swindon.  Return from Stourhead at 16:00, Longleat at 16:30 to connect with the 17:10 Westbury to Swindon train. August Sundays only. Extra fare 5 pounds (adults) 2.50 (children).  Does not include admission.

2) Hire cycles available (prebook) on Sunday 28th August from Bedwyn to Pewsey.  On that date too, Crofton Pumps on the canal will be in steam.

3) On Sunday 14th August only we are arranging a minibus trip from Melksham station to the National Trust properties at Lacock, Great Chalfield and Holt. Take the 08:20 train from Swindon, 08:36 from Chippenham.  Your time will be split between all three National Trust sites.  Back at Melksham for the 17:25 train to Chippenham and Swindon.  10 pounds per seat (no child discounts). Does not include admissions.

4) On 31st July, the walk from Bedwyn to Pewsey will be guided.  If you're on the 07:30 train from Westbury, you'll meet your guide.  On this day (and 28th August), Crofton pumping engines will be in steam.

5) On 14th August Only, our minibus will run from CORSHAM to Melksham station to connect with the Weymouth train, and will return from Melksham to Corsham at the end of the day.  Fare 5 pound (adult). 2.50 (child). Prebooking needed.

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Booking - for the train, normal ticketing applies.   For coach links to Longleat and Stourhead, cycle hire, National Trust tour from Melksham, and transfer from Corsham, we are teaming up with the Trowbridge Tourist Information Centre - Their phone number is 01225 710535, and their email address is tic@trowbridge.gov.uk .  We've chosen the Trowbridge TIC since they are also railway ticket agents, and can offer you a complete package.  General enquires (Monday to Friday, normal working day) to Ann Marie on 01225 355553,  or email info@atrebatia.info .

Trains run by First Great Western, with the help (in various ways) of Wiltshire Council, the Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce, Wiltshire businesses, TransWilts Rail and the Community Rail Partnership.  See http://www.transwiltsrail.org.uk/

Edit to correct typos!