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Newsletter 321: 02/10/2025
Hello All,
Please find some updates below.
Restoring our off-peak Direct Trains to and from Paddington
We previously mentioned that we were due an update from the DfT, GWR, and our local MPs regarding how the introduction of the Class 175 trains will affect our service. Once in service, these Class 175s will allow our three IETs, redeployed post-Covid, to be returned to Paddington. We are concerned that the DfT and the GWR will, instead of restoring our direct services, use the returned IETs to bolster the Paddington fleet.
Having chased the MPs, we received the following responses:
The DfT responded with:
GWR and the Department recognise the timetable reductions made post-pandemic at Kintbury, Hungerford and Bedwyn when the industry faced significant revenue challenges. They are working together to develop the appropriate business case submission for approval of direct off-peak services for Kintbury, Hungerford and Bedwyn. This will mean that the requisite rolling stock will be in place against a background of competing demands.
GWR responded with:
There isn’t a concrete update on the IETs at the moment. The Class 175 trains we’re adding to our fleet in Devon & Cornwall will allow us over time to free up some trains and look at opportunities. It will take around 18 months for the Class 175s to be rolled out fully across the network.
Taking the DfT response first, it is a real concern that the rhetoric has shifted, and we now require a ‘business case’ to restore a service that was only temporarily taken away from us. Therefore, we have responded to Lee Dillon MP:
We shouldn’t be in a position of having to go through a ‘business case’ to reinstate a service that in 2022 was only temporarily taken away. Mark Hopwood MD of GWR has always stated it is the intention to reinstate the direct services to Bedwyn. This is a case of ‘when’ not ‘if’. To now hear a business case is required is very concerning. We’d be very grateful if you could raise this point with the DfT.
GWRs use of the word ‘opportunities’ is concerning. Mark Hopwood (Managing Director of GWR) was interviewed for an article in the September issue of ‘Modern Railways’ magazine. This gives further details of how the 175s will be rolled out:
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The 175s will be deployed between Exeter and Penzance, replacing the IET leg of this journey.
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The IETs will still run between Cardiff and Exeter.
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The 175s will also be deployed on some other services.
When Mark Hopwood informed us of the need to redeploy our three 5-car IETs to the Cardiff to Penzance route, he made it clear that for them to return, GWR would need to source alternative traction on the Cardiff to Penzance route. We now note that the 175s will not cover Cardiff – Exeter and will also be used on some other services (e.g. Okehampton and Barnstaple). We have therefore written to Mark asking him the following:
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Upon complete roll-out of the 175s, how many 5-car IETs are expected to remain on Cardiff - Exeter duties?
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How many IETs will be released for other duties?
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Are there any more IET sets on other non-Paddington-based services?
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Mention has previously been made of such released sets being used on Paddington based services. As Paddington - Bedwyn clearly falls into that category, should we not be a priority for three of those sets, particularly as the DfT mentioned in their Fleet Plan, reintroduction of Paddington - Bedwyn as just such a priority?'
To date, we haven’t received a reply from the DfT or GWR. We have asked the MPs to pursue this.
Delays and connections not held at Newbury
Please inform us of any delays and connections not held at Newbury. We forward these on to GWR and keep ‘banging the drum’.
Engineering Works
Thursday 2 September to Friday 3 October 2025
Monday to Thursday from approximately 2145 until end of service each evening - Buses will replace trains between Newbury and Bedwyn.
Friday - The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will not run. Passengers should travel on a later service.
Saturday 11 to Friday 17 October 2025
Monday to Thursday from approximately 2130 until end of service - Buses will replace trains between Reading, Newbury and Bedwyn. A few other trains will either not run, or will be retimed, in some cases, EARLIER than usual.
Tuesday to Friday - The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will be slightly retimed and will finish its journey at Reading. An alternative rail connection will be available from Reading to London Paddington.
Saturday 18 to Friday 24 October 2025
Sunday - The 0804 (departing 0753) London Paddington to Penzance will not call at Newbury or Pewsey. The 0844 (departing 0828) London Paddington to Penzance will call additionally at Newbury and Pewsey. The 0806 Reading to Newbury will not run and the 0833 Reading to Bedwyn will start from Newbury and run slightly later throughout. A replacement bus will run EARLIER from Reading to Newbury.
Tuesday and Wednesday - The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will be slightly retimed and will finish its journey at Reading. An alternative rail connection will be available from Reading to London Paddington.
Saturday 25 to Friday 31 October 2025
Monday to Thursday - The 0838 London Paddington to Westbury will not run. Passengers should travel on alternative earlier or later services. The 0934 London Paddington to Paignton will call additionally at Pewsey. The 2230 London Paddington to Bedwyn will start from Reading. An alternative rail connection will be available from London Paddington (departing at 2230) to Reading.
Monday to Friday - The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will be slightly retimed and will finish its journey at Reading. An alternative rail connection will be available from Reading to London Paddington.
Saturday 1 to Friday 7 November 2025
Saturday until approximately 0700 - Trains between Reading, Newbury and Bedwyn will be revised. Some trains will be replaced by buses for all or part of their journey, departing EARLIER than usual.
Sunday - The 2333 Newbury to Reading will be replaced by a bus
Saturday 8 to Friday 14 November 2025
Monday to Thursday from approximately 2145 until end of service each evening - Buses will replace trains between Newbury and Bedwyn.
Tuesday to Friday - The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will be slightly retimed and will finish its journey at Reading. An alternative rail connection will be available from Reading to London Paddington
Saturday 15 to Friday 21 November 2025
Sunday - The 0804 (departing 0757) London Paddington to Penzance will not call at Newbury or Pewsey. The 0844 (departing 0831) London Paddington to Penzance will call additionally at Newbury and Pewsey. The 0806 Reading to Newbury will not run and the 0833 Reading to Bedwyn will start from Newbury and run slightly later throughout. A replacement bus will run EARLIER from Reading to Newbury, to connect into the train.
Saturday 22 to Friday 28 November 2025
Monday to Thursday from approximately 2130 until end of service - Buses will replace trains between Reading, Newbury and Bedwyn. A few other trains will either not run, or will be retimed, in some cases, EARLIER than usual.
Tuesday to Friday - The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will be slightly retimed and will finish its journey at Reading. An alternative rail connection will be available from Reading to London Paddington.
Best wishes
Steve Smith
Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group