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Newsletter 320: 11/08/2025
Hello All,
Please find some updates below.
Managing Missed Connections
On occasion, passengers have been able to request that the Newbury to Bedwyn shuttle be held, to meet a late-arriving connecting train, by messaging GWR on WhatsApp at 07890 608043. This also applies to Sunday connections at Reading.
However, one doesn’t always get a positive response – and sometimes no response at all. Recently, on a Sunday, I was on a delayed service from Paddington to Reading, missing the connection for Bedwyn. Faced with a two-hour wait, I asked the gate line staff, who advised me to speak to the Duty Station Manager. This proved to be good advice as he arranged a taxi for me. It appears that if you are at Reading, and the delay is going to be well over an hour or indeterminate, the thing to do is to ask to speak to the Duty Station Manager.
If stranded at Newbury, speak to the platform staff. If the station is unstaffed, then use the Help Points located on Platforms 1 and 2.
Recently, we have been in touch with GWR regarding two incidents where the Newbury to Bedwyn shuttle departed with passengers either on the overbridge or about to board. GWR have reminded all staff and drivers not to allow this to happen. If this happens to you, or you miss a connection at Newbury due to a train not being held, then please do let us know.
Given the two-hourly service on a Sunday, we have also asked GWR to introduce a holds policy at Reading on a Sunday. GWR, at our request, introduced one for weekdays, but not for weekends. So, we are asking for clarity so the GWR Control staff know which Reading to Bedwyn trains need to be held for delayed inbound connections from Paddington.
We have also asked GWR to try and arrange a contract with a Newbury-based taxi firm. At present taxis have to be sent down from Reading.
Restoring our off-peak Direct Trains to and from Paddington
We still haven’t had a response from GWR, or 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 DfT and the GWR will, instead of giving us our direct services back, use the returned IETs to bolster the Paddington fleet.
The next timetable change, December 2025, isn’t showing any changes, making the next possibility for the return of our direct off-peak Paddington services May 2026.
We have chased the MPs and GWR. We are grateful to Wiltshire Councillor Tamara Reay who has Dan Okey, GWR's Head of Regional and Welsh Development.
Not a Steam Train
In the last newsletter, we stated that a steam train would pass through Kintbury, Hungerford and Bedwyn on Saturday, 23rd August. We have been advised that this is running as a historic diesel. Therefore, not so exciting!
Engineering Works
Saturday 9 to Friday 15 August 2025
Tuesday 12th to Friday 15th- The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will not run. Passengers should travel on a later service.
Saturday 16 to Friday 22 August 2025
Monday to Thursday from approximately 2145 until end of service each evening - Buses will replace trains between Newbury and Bedwyn. In addition, on Monday to Wednesday, the 2230 London Paddington to Bedwyn will only run from Reading to Newbury. Passengers travelling from London Paddington should change at Reading. Tuesday to Friday -
The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will be slightly retimed and will finish its journey at Reading. A connecting rail service will be available from Reading to London Paddington.
Saturday 23 to Friday 29 August 2025
No service alterations that affect Bedwyn, Hungerford or Kintbury.
Saturday 30 August to Friday 5 September 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 - 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will not run. Passengers should travel on a later service
Saturday 6 to Friday 12 September 2025
Tuesday to Friday - The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will not run. Passengers should travel on an alternative earlier or later service.
Saturday 13 to Friday 19 September 2025
Sunday - Trains between London Paddington and the West of England will be revised. Trains will be diverted, not calling at Newbury, Hungerford, Pewsey, Westbury or Castle Cary, but will call additionally at Bristol Temple Meads and some will also call additionally at Swindon. Most trains will depart EARLIER from London Paddington and Reading. Some trains will not run, including all direct trains between London Paddington and Paignton. Passengers travelling to / from intermediate stations between Reading and Taunton should use alternative rail connections, changing where necessary to complete their journey. Pewsey will be served by replacement buses running to / from Swindon only. Replacement buses will also run between Westbury, Castle Cary and Taunton.
Saturday 20 to Friday 26 September 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 0806 Reading to Newbury will not run and the 0833 Reading to Bedwyn will start from Newbury. A replacement bus will run from Reading to Newbury. The 2333 Newbury to Reading will be replaced by a bus.
Sunday - Trains between London Paddington and the West of England will be revised. Trains will be diverted, not calling at Newbury, Hungerford, Pewsey, Westbury or Castle Cary, but will call additionally at Bristol Temple Meads and some will also call additionally at Swindon. Most trains will depart EARLIER from London Paddington and Reading. Some trains will not run, including all direct trains between London Paddington and Paignton. Passengers travelling to / from intermediate stations between Reading and Taunton should use alternative rail connections, changing where necessary to complete their journey. Pewsey will be served by replacement buses running to / from Swindon only. Replacement buses will also run between Westbury, Castle Cary and Taunton. Passengers are strongly advised to check their journeys before travelling.
Tuesday to Friday - The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will not run. Passengers should travel on a later service.
Saturday 27 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.
Tuesday to Friday - The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will not run. Passengers should travel on a later service.
Best wishes
Steve Smith
Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group