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Newsletter 323: 21/01/2026
Hello All,
Please find some updates below.
Twenty Years of the Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group
In 2006 First Great Western (FGW), as GWR was then known, was set to half the off-peak service for Bedwyn, Hungerford and Kintbury. Through engaging with our MP and FGW, we fought off this change and out of this we formed the passenger group.
Twenty years, 323 newsletters and many campaigns later we are still going strong.
Issue with Announcements at Bedwyn
There is a recurrent problem with the station announcements and CIS information boards at Bedwyn station. Passenger can be informed that the next eastbound shuttle departure has been cancelled, and the next service is not for an hour. If the shuttle is in the siding then you can ignore this.
Kintbury Passengers Doubling back at Hungerford
We asked GWR whether it is acceptable for Kintbury passengers, who miss a connection onto the Bedwyn shuttle at Newbury, to travel on an IET to Hungerford, then double back to Kintbury. There are certain occasions when this is quicker than waiting for the next shuttle.
Tom Lydon at GWR responded:
Thanks for this – I’ve spoken to our Control and Fares teams who have confirmed that this would be acceptable, where someone for Kintbury has missed their connection at Newbury to double back via Hungerford.
Last Train Home
If your last train home is cancelled or you miss it due to disruption, the National Rail Conditions of Travel (NRCoT) require GWR get you home, often by arranging taxis or alternative transport.
What to do if your last train is disrupted:
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Speak to Staff: Find a station staff member, guard, or use a help point immediately.
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Know Your Rights: GWR must get you home; they'll usually arrange taxis or replacement buses if trains aren't running.
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Get Evidence: If no staff are present, note down exact times, take photos of departure boards, and keep all receipts for any expenses.
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Ticket Validity: Your ticket remains valid for the completed journey, even if it expires due to delays, and you can often use alternative services if needed.
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Claim Compensation: If you incur costs (like a taxi) because staff couldn't help, either complain to GWR, or come via us, with your evidence for reimbursement.
Station Usage Figures
The station usage figures have been published for 2024/2025.
Station Entries/Exits Change on year
Pewsey 209,098 +11.77%
Bedwyn 99,948 +6.82%
Hungerford 311,612 +8.08%
Kintbury 75,280 +6.44%
Newbury 1,538,658 +11.48%
Newbury R/c 114,628 +15.73%
Midgham 44,038 +21.55%
Thatcham 464,916 +14.02%
Theale 390,508 +21%
Aldermaston 71,290 +25.02%
These figures are still recovering following the pandemic. The lower values for Bedwyn, Hungerford and Kintbury are likely the results of the shuttle and undercounting. Hungerford is slightly higher due to having more off-peak IET direct Paddington services.
Intervening
We always do what we can to help, sometimes we can act quickly and get a result. A recent example was where the 1836 Paddington departure was being re-routed via Bristol and the 1808 was set to be a five-car train. We contacted GWR and they allocated a nine-car unit to avoid overcrowding. The re-routing of the 1836 continued for the rest of the week and we reminded GWR daily of the need for the 1808 to be a nine-car unit.
Poor Performance
Thank you to those who alert us to poor train performance and missed connections at Newbury. We continue to submit numerous cases to GWR. The more we complain, the better. Please keep reporting them to us.
The recent failure of a freight train at Kintbury, blocking our line, highlighted that the rail industry needs to improve the information supplied to customers. There were cases of contradictory information.
The IETs have been experiencing fuel pump issues, causing delays, short formations and cancellations. The trains are not affected when running on electrified sections of the network. However, there have been numerous failures when running on diesel. Hitachi are responsible for the maintenance of the IETs and are working to fix the problem. However, each failure requires the engine to be removed. As there is roughly one engine per carriage, this isn’t a quick exercise.
This problem is another in a long of issues relating to the the IETs.
Return of our IETS
With the long-term problems with the IETs, one wonders if fighting for their return is a good option! However, the shuttle between Newbury and Bedwyn (with no west facing bay at Newbury and priority always given to through services and freight) is not a long-term option.
In our last newsletter we reported that 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 from GWR.
GWR have now announced that they plan to increase the service between Oxford and Bristol Temple Meads from two trains a day on Saturdays to eight, running every other hour Monday-Saturday. This is from May 2026 and they plan to increase that to hourly from May 2027.
This will require two IET sets from May 2026 and four from May 2027, significantly reducing the chance that the freed-up IETs, introduced by the Class 175s in the West Country, will be returned to operate the Paddington to Bedwyn off-peak service.
Naturally we have protested and the MPs are taking this up on our behalf. GWR haven’t responded to our concerns.
The rail minister, Lord Peter Hendy, has expanded on our concerns that the DfT will now put us through a ‘business case’ before our direct (IET) services are reinstated. He has now stated:
I understand that GWR and Network Rail are developing a business case for direct off-peak services for Kintbury, Hungerford and Bedwyn to London which will be considered once received.
Engineering Works
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.
Saturday 31 January to Friday 6 February 2026
Monday to Thursday from approximately 2145 until end of service each day - Buses will replace trains between Newbury and Bedwyn. The 2230 London Paddington to Bedwyn will start from Reading (and finish its journey at Newbury). An alternative rail connection will be available from London Paddington to Reading.
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 7 to Friday 13 February 2026
Nothing on our line.
Saturday 14 to Friday 20 February 2026
Monday to Thursday from approximately 2145 until end of service each day - Buses will replace trains between Reading, Newbury and Bedwyn.
Tuesday to Friday - The 0531 Bedwyn to London Paddington will finish its journey at Reading. An alternative rail connection will be available from Reading to London Paddington.
Saturday 21 to Friday 27 February 2026
Sunday - The 0806 Reading to Newbury will not run and the 0833 Reading to Bedwyn will start from Newbury and run slightly later than usual. A replacement bus will run EARLIER from Reading at 0751 to Newbury. The 0804 (departing 0757) London Paddington to Penzance (finishing its journey at Totnes) will not call at Newbury or Pewsey. The 0844 (departing 0830) London Paddington to Penzance (finishing its journey at Totnes) will call additionally at Newbury and Pewsey.
Monday to Thursday - The 2230 London Paddington to Bedwyn will start from Reading and be slightly retimed. An alternative rail connection will be available from London Paddington to Reading.
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 28 February to Friday 6 March 2026
Nothing on our line.
Saturday 7 to Friday 13 March 2026
Saturday until approximately 0700 - Buses will replace trains between Reading, Newbury and Bedwyn.
Sunday - The 2323 Newbury to Reading will not run and 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.
Best wishes
Steve Smith
Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group