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Newsletter 322: 23/11/2025
Hello All,
Please find some updates below.
Purchasing tickets for the 0846 with a Network Railcard
One of the concessions we have previously got from GWR is that a Network Railcard is valid on the 0846 from Bedwyn (0852 Hungerford and 0857 Kintbury). However, the ticket machine at Bedwyn station is unable to offer this concession. Instead, one had to purchase online.
However, it transpires that there is a workaround. Instead of directly purchasing a ticket, press the ‘Tickets for future travel’ button, but use today’s date. It will then allow a Network Railcard to be used. Thanks to the passenger who alerted us to this. We always welcome these tidbits of information.
We hope this also applies to Hungerford (for the 0852) and Kintbury (for the 0857). We’d be grateful for feedback.
Poor Performance
Thank you to those who alert us to poor train performance and missed connections at Newbury. We have submitted numerous cases to GWR. The more we complain, the better. Please keep reporting them to us.
Return of our IETS
Our MPs, Danny Kruger and Lee Dillon, have, at our request, pursued GWR regarding our concerns that the introduction of Class 175 trains in the West Country will not directly result in the freed-up IETs being returned to us. We are still awaiting a response.
We have received a reply from the rail minister, Lord Peter Hendy, regarding our concerns that the DfT will now put us through a ‘business case’ before our direct (IET) services are reinstated. This is a significant shift from the DfT’s previous position (when they asked GWR how reinstatement could be achieved).
Unfortunately, Lord Hendy could only confirm that we will be facing a business case, with other options considered for the deployment of the IETs freed up by the introduction of the Class 175s.
New Screens at Bedwyn Station
Users of Bedwyn station will have noticed the new Customer Information Screens (CIS). The help point sign partially obscured the one on platform 2. Vital information could only be seen if one stepped beyond the yellow line. We reported this to GWR, who, at our suggestion, rotated the help point sign to improve visibility.
GWR and Public Ownership
Mark Hopwood, Managing Director GWR, has issued the following message:
The Secretary of State for Transport has confirmed the schedule under which GWR will enter public ownership. This will follow the transfers of Greater Anglia, West Midlands Trains, Govia Thameslink Railway, and Chiltern Railways respectively.
The Secretary of State also confirmed that the legislation to establish Great British Railways – the new public company which will take responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the railway, and bring together train operators and Network Rail – will be introduced in this Parliamentary session.
The final decision on when exactly GWR will transfer will be announced by the Government in due course. In the meantime, our focus remains on providing the best possible service for customers now and in the future, while ensuring we deliver value for taxpayers with all ticket revenue continuing to be returned straight to the Government.
January Timetables Revisions
Due to line closures at Didcot, Bristol/Swansea services will be diverted via Newbury. This has a knock on effect of altering the timings of some of our services. Therefore, if you are travelling on the following dates, please use the journey planners to confirm train times.
Friday 2 and Saturday 3 Jan
Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 Jan
Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 Jan
Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 Jan.
We have included these in the next section, ‘Engineering Works’.
Engineering Works
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.
Saturday 29 November to Friday 5 December 2025
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 6 to Friday 12 December 2025
Sunday - The 0804 (departing 0759) London Paddington to Penzance will not call at Newbury or Pewsey. The 0844 (departing 0835) 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
Monday to Friday - All week, trains between London Paddington / Reading and the West of England will be revised. Some trains will be diverted via Bristol Temple Meads, not calling at Newbury, Hungerford, Pewsey, Westbury or Castle Cary. Trains will depart EARLIER from London Paddington and Reading on journeys towards the West of England and arrive later at Reading and London Paddington on journeys from the West of England. Some trains will only run between London Paddington / Reading and Westbury / Castle Cary, and a few trains will not run at all. Replacement buses will run between Castle Cary and Taunton. Passengers are strongly advised to check their journeys before travelling
Saturday 13 to Friday 19 December 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.
Saturday and Sunday - All weekend, trains between London Paddington / Reading and the West of England will be revised. Some trains will be diverted via Bristol Temple Meads (in most cases, calling additionally at Swindon, Chippenham and Bath Spa), but not calling at Newbury, Hungerford, Pewsey, Westbury or Castle Cary. Trains will depart EARLIER from London Paddington and Reading on journeys towards the West of England and arrive later at Reading and London Paddington on journeys from the West of England. Some other High Speed services running from / to London Paddington on other routes will also be subject to minor retimings. Some trains will not run at all. Passengers travelling to / from Newbury, Hungerford, Westbury and Castle Cary should use alternative scheduled rail services, changing trains where necessary to complete their journey. Pewsey will be served by replacement buses connecting into / out of diverted trains at Swindon. Replacement buses will also run between Castle Cary and Taunton. Passengers are strongly advised to check their journeys before travelling.
Sunday - The 2333 Newbury to Reading will be replaced by a bus.
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 20 to Friday 26 December 2025
Monday and Tuesday from approximately 2145 until end of service - Buses will replace trains between Newbury and Bedwyn.
Tuesday and Wednesday - The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will not run. Passengers should travel on a later service.
Saturday 27 December 2025 to Friday 2 January 2026
Saturday - All day, trains between London Paddington and Newbury will not run. Passengers should use alternative services, changing at Reading where necessary, to complete their journey.
Sunday - The 0804 (departing 0800) London Paddington to Penzance will not call at Newbury or Pewsey. The 0844 (departing 0833) London Paddington to Penzance will call additionally at Newbury and Pewsey and will run slightly later from Westbury onwards. 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.
Monday to Thursday - All day, trains between London Paddington and Newbury will only run between Reading and Newbury. Passengers should use alternative services to travel between London Paddington and Reading.
Friday - All day, trains between London Paddington and Newbury will not run. Some trains between Newbury and Bedwyn will be retimed, in some cases, EARLIER than usual.
Saturday 3 to Friday 9 January 2026
Saturday - All day, trains between London Paddington and Newbury will not run. Passengers should travel on alternative services, changing at Reading where necessary, to complete their journey.
Sunday - Paddington will be shut until 11:15. Please confirm with online journey planners.
Monday to Thursday from approximately 2145 until end of service - Buses will replace trains between Reading, Newbury and Bedwyn.
Tuesday to Friday - The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will not run. Passengers should use later services.
Saturday 10 to Friday 16 January 2026
Saturday - All day, trains between London Paddington and Newbury will not run. Passengers should travel on alternative services, changing at Reading where necessary, to complete their journey.
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 17 to Friday 23 January 2026
Saturday - All day, trains between London Paddington and Newbury will not run. Passengers should travel on alternative services, changing at Reading where necessary, to complete their journey.
Saturday 24 to Friday 30 January 2026
Saturday - All day, trains between London Paddington and Newbury will not run. Passengers should travel on alternative services, changing at Reading where necessary, to complete their journey.
Sunday - The 0806 Reading to Newbury will not run. The 0833 Reading to Bedwyn will depart slightly EARLIER and call additionally at Reading West, Aldermaston and Midgham.
Monday to Friday - The 2230 London Paddington to Bedwyn will start from Reading and the 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will finish its journey at Reading. Alternative connections will be available between London Paddington and Reading.
Best wishes
Steve Smith
Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group