The Locomotion

The first Monday of a new timetable is always a precarious time. Never more so that with First Great Western in charge. Their bizarre pact with the Department for Transport seems to involve maintaining and developing a service while the very rolling stock this relies on disappears to other operators around the country. In return for this, an ever increasing payment is made for the privilege of being in charge of what, until recently, was the worst performing rail franchise in the country. Today should have seen the first tangible effects of the latest kink in the strange chain of cascaded rolling stock. Exeter Depot's 142s return to Northern Rail, Arriva's borrowed 150s back to Cardiff and the splitting of the only recently formed 3 car 158s have all been subject of speculation, rumour or premonition in recent weeks. Some of this has indeed come to pass, and the weekend saw some unusual workings returning the 142s northwards, along with 143617 which having completed it's stint in Eastleigh headed for Exeter in fully refurbished form. However, from my point of view as a railway enthusiast the commencement of the first regularly timetabled locomotive hauled service in these parts for many years was perhaps one of the most significant events in a long time.

I turned up for my usual commute into work a few minutes early to account for the very slight retiming. The usual crowd of commuters shared the platform, their ranks swelled a little as the early London train had yet to turn up. I speculated on the likely arrangements for cycle stowage with a colleague who also knew what to expect today. Almost exactly on time a high intensity headlamp appeared in the mist and slowly, 67017 hummed into view hauling a rake of three blue and grey Mk 2 carriages along with a maroon BSO (a late substitute so it seems). The mist and gloom of the morning scuppered any hope of a picture of this inaugural arrival, but at least spared me 'coming out' as a crank to the assembled platform of co-commuters! Hopped aboard and watched the events as the locals milled about and the EWS guard tried his best to convince them that this really was going to Bristol, and that the 'Inter-City' branding was nothing to do with the London train! We left a few minutes down due to the confusion, but were back on time by arrival at Weston. We watched the train depart amid similar scenes of bewilderment and uncertainty, a former colleague later sending me a message to say she had "travelled on the oldest train ever today" today!

Whether this is the right diagram for this set aside and quite apart from any preference I harbour as an enthusiast, this is perhaps the sign that the relationship between FGW and DfT is changing, and that our needs as customers are being recognised. There is talk of further sets of LHCS appearing, including a 'go anywhere' set to be shared between First operated franchises to cover problems and special events. In any event, I look forward to my regular journey in a little more style than I'm accustomed to - for a while at least.