62-576: The Langport and Castle Cary Railway is a railway line from Castle Cary railway station to Cogload Junction near Taunton , Somerset , England, which reduced the length of the journey from London to Penzance by 20 + 1 ⁄ 4 miles (32.6 km). Through trains from London Paddington station to Penzance in Cornwall started running in 1867 taking a circuitous route over the Great Western Railway (GWR) to Bristol , then
124-562: A 48-hour strike from 06:00 on 19 January 2017. Further industrial action was suspended by the RMT following the January strike as a result of an improvement in ongoing negotiations between the RMT, GWR and Servest UK. The dispute was formally resolved in July 2017, as RMT members voted in favour of accepting a new pay deal. In April 2021, cracks were discovered in the yaw damper brackets (part of
186-604: A background of ongoing rail strikes on a national level. The RMT ballotted Servest UK workers employed on an outsourcing contract to GWR as cleaners; the ballot passed in favour of strike action by 98%. A disruptive transfer period in the outsourcing contract, from Mitie to Servest UK, had resulted in what the RMT referred to as the creation of a "two-tier workforce" amongst cleaners at GWR, with an inequality in pay and working conditions between cleaners employed directly by GWR and those outsourced to Servest UK. Two 24-hour strikes were held from 06:00 on 16 and 23 December, followed by
248-644: A fleet of Class 165 and Class 166 units from First Great Western Link, and a fleet of Class 150 , Class 153 and Class 158 units from Wessex Trains. The fleet of 57 Class 800 trains from the Hitachi A-train family is used to operate most of GWR's long-distance services between London and destinations such as Swindon , Chippenham , Bath Spa , Bristol Temple Meads , Newport , Cardiff Central , Swansea , Carmarthen , Cheltenham Spa , Oxford , Worcester Shrub Hill and Hereford . Introduced between autumn 2017 and spring 2019, these gradually replaced
310-415: A goods shed and yard was situated behind this platform at the east end with the signal box opposite. This station, opened on 2 July 1906, was officially known as "Somerton (Somerset)" to avoid confusion with " Somerton (Oxon) ". It was in a cutting close to the centre of Somerton . The main building was on the eastbound platform with the goods shed at the west end of this platform. The original signal box
372-503: A largely rural area of Somerset , England. Castle Cary station was originally on the Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway , a railway that linked the Great Western Railway (GWR) at Chippenham with Weymouth . The line was authorised in 1845, was acquired by the GWR in 1850, reached Castle Cary on 1 September 1856, and was completed throughout in 1857. For the remainder of the 19th century,
434-651: A main east to west route. The route resulting from these improvements and extensions forms the current London to Penzance line. The station was awarded the Small Station of the Year award in the National Rail Awards 2007. The station has three platforms. The main station facilities are located on the London bound platform 1, as well as the main station building and ticket office which is staffed until
496-752: A revised seating layout. This refurbishment started in September 2016. The Class 166 "Networker Turbo" is a three-coach DMU, similar to the Class 165 units but with an internal layout more suitable for longer-distance services. They are now mostly based at St Philip's Marsh depot in Bristol, where they currently work on most of the lines in the area including the Wessex Main Line , Severn Beach line , Heart of Wessex Line , Golden Valley line and Bristol to Taunton line . The Class 387 "Electrostar"
558-973: A simplified list of regular off-peak weekday service from the June 2024 timetables. 7 trains per day continue to Carmarthen mainly calling at Llanelli and Pembrey & Burry Port . 1 train every 2 hours continues towards Weston-super-Mare , calling at Nailsea and Backwell , Yatton and Worle . Some trains continue to Paignton or Plymouth , calling at various intermediate stations. Alternates with services between London Paddington and Penzance to provide an hourly service on this route Alternates with services between London Paddington and Plymouth to provide an hourly service between those stations Certain trains terminate at Worcester while others continue to Hereford calling at Colwall and Ledbury . One train per day continues to Worcester Shrub Hill calling at Ashchurch for Tewkesbury . Great Western Railway's named passenger trains include: Great Western Railway
620-642: A successful trial by Angel Trains and FGW in 2004, two power cars received new MTU engines while two received new Paxman VP185s , fitted by Brush Traction of Loughborough . The MTU engine proved the better option, both for reliability and for emissions, resulting in FGW, Brush and Angel Trains starting the HST Modernisation programme. The last power cars to be re-engineered were released in April 2008, while several other companies' HSTs have now all undergone
682-405: A summer Saturday service from Bristol to Paignton over this route. The new line enabled the construction of six new stations but these all closed on 10 September 1962. Trains also served Athelney station and (from 1928) Lyng Halt on the old Yeovil branch , and Durston and Creech St Michael railway stations on the Bristol to Exeter Line, but fast trains avoided the middle two of these by using
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#1732766187551744-461: A tri-mode Class 802 in 2022 fitted with batteries in an attempt to reduce emissions when entering and leaving stations. Four Class 57/6 locomotives have hauled the Night Riviera sleeper services since 2004 when they replaced Class 47s . Due to poor availability of the 57/6s, Direct Rail Services (DRS) Class 57/3s have been hired from Direct Rail Services . in 2023, former DRS 57312
806-864: Is a four-coach EMU built by Bombardier, with a 2+2 seating layout, tables, power sockets and free Wi-Fi. It can be operated in four, eight- and twelve-coach formations. The class began to enter service in September 2016 on weekday peak services between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington, using the overhead electrical equipment used by Heathrow Express . Services using the class were extended to Maidenhead in May 2017 and later to Didcot Parkway, and from Reading to Newbury. Bombardier Transportation at Ilford Depot had modified twelve of these trains by December 2020, installing new first-class seating, Wi-Fi, luggage racks and on-board entertainment, to be used on Heathrow Express services. Rebranded as " Heathrow Express ", and refurbished with Heathrow Express moquette, they replaced
868-559: Is more irregular, however, as there are 6 trains towards London Waterloo throughout the day, but only 3 towards Yeovil Junction. Great Western Railway (train operating company) First Greater Western , trading as Great Western Railway ( GWR ), is a British train operating company owned by FirstGroup that provides services in the Greater Western franchise area. It manages 197 stations and its trains call at over 270. GWR operates long-distance inter-city services along
930-551: Is now the only major UK rail operator with restaurant cars . These operate on certain West Country and Wales trains to or from London Paddington. They are available to first-class and standard-class passengers, though only first-class passengers may make advance reservations, and they have priority over seats in the restaurant. Meals in the restaurant car are not included in the price of rail tickets. GWR has first class on all its long-distance high-speed services. First class on
992-585: Is on the Reading to Taunton line 115.25 miles (185.48 km) south west of London Paddington and the Bristol to Weymouth line 47.75 miles (77 km) south of Bristol Temple Meads . The two routes share tracks between Westbury and Castle Cary stations and are both operated by Great Western Railway , which also manages the station. The station is 1 mile (1.6 km) north of the market town of Castle Cary and 5 miles (8 km) south of Shepton Mallet in
1054-493: Is provided on all services. Many services on long-distance and regional routes have specific seat reservations. An at-seat trolley service is scheduled to operate on most IET services, with a trolley in each portion of a ten-coach train. This is different from the HSTs, which had buffet counters branded as 'Express Cafes'. In July 2018, a disabled woman was threatened by Great Western Railway staff with police action and removal from
1116-540: Is the closest station to the site of the Glastonbury Festival , which is held near Pilton about 8 miles away. During the period of the festival additional trains are provided, and special buses are run from the station to the festival site. The station also serves events at the Royal Bath and West Showground, though these are not provided with extra trains. It is also the nearest main line station to
1178-638: The Bristol and Exeter Railway through Taunton to Exeter , the South Devon Railway to Plymouth Millbay railway station , the Cornwall Railway to Truro , and finally completing their journey on the West Cornwall Railway . By 1889 the whole route was controlled by the GWR, but trains still had to take the "Great Way Round" through Bristol. There had been several schemes to build a shorter route to Cornwall, such as
1240-521: The Elizabeth line service. In March 2020, the DfT awarded a further extension to 31 March 2023. In June 2022, the DfT replaced the franchise agreement with a direct award contract that expires on 25 June 2028, with an option to extend for a further three years. GWR is one of several train operators impacted by the 2022–2024 United Kingdom railway strikes , which are the first national rail strikes in
1302-863: The Great Western Main Line to and from the West of England and South Wales , inter-city services from London to the West Country via the Reading–Taunton line , and the Night Riviera sleeper service between London and Penzance . It provides outer-suburban services in West London; commuter services from its London terminus at London Paddington to the Thames Valley region, including parts of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire , and Oxfordshire ; and regional services throughout
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#17327661875511364-503: The Yeovil to Taunton Line – which was rebuilt with a second track and at a higher level to avoid flooding – from Athelney to Curry Rivel Junction near Langport East . Passenger trains first ran through Somerton on 2 July 1906 which then became the route for express trains to Devon and Cornwall . The prestige Cornish Riviera Express could now leave London Paddington station twenty minutes later yet arrive at Penzance at
1426-557: The Castle sets, slam door 2+4 sets known as 'Classic' sets were used until the end of 2019. Until 2017, GWR operated the vast majority of its long-distance services with a fleet of 58 InterCity 125 High Speed Train sets, each consisting of eight Mark 3 coaches sandwiched between two Class 43 locomotives. GWR operated the largest InterCity 125 fleet, owning five sets outright; the rest were leased from Angel Trains and Porterbrook . From 2009 to 2012 (when Class 180s were reintroduced on
1488-735: The Cotswold line) all the company's intercity services were worked by HSTs except the Night Riviera sleeper service between London Paddington and Penzance. From late 2017, following the completion of electrification from Hayes & Harlington to the west of England, intercity services gradually became operated by Class 800 IETs, although a few peak services remained operated by HSTs until early 2019. GWR continued to use HSTs on services to Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance until May 2019, when they were all withdrawn in favour of Class 802 units. The youngest Class 43 locomotive dated from 1982. After
1550-549: The Exeter Great Western Railway, but these came to nothing. Finally in 1895 the GWR directors announced that new lines were to be constructed to enable trains to reach Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance in a shorter time. The first stage was to lay a second track on the Berks and Hants Extension Railway from Hungerford to Patney and Chirton railway station , from where a new line was opened in 1900 that reduced
1612-474: The GWR's principal route from London Paddington station to Exeter , Plymouth and Penzance was an indirect one via Bristol Temple Meads (the so-called Great Way Round ). However, in 1895 the GWR directors announced that new lines were to be constructed to enable trains to reach Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance in a shorter time. The first stages involved improvements to the Berks and Hants Extension Railway and
1674-481: The Great Western, Great Western Link and Wessex Trains franchises were combined into a new Greater Western franchise. FirstGroup, National Express and Stagecoach were shortlisted to bid for it. On 13 December 2005, it was announced that FirstGroup had won the franchise. Originally, First planned to subdivide its services into three categories based on routes. Following feedback from staff and stakeholders,
1736-484: The IETs includes fabric reclining seating with tables at every seat, as well as an at-seat service provided by a customer host on most journeys. Unlike the previous HSTs, the IETs do not have leather first-class seating due to fire regulations. Like the HSTs, there are power sockets and USB charging points at every seat. There is Wi-Fi throughout the first class-carriages, which GWR describes as 'upgraded'. Standard class
1798-449: The UK for three decades. Its workers are amongst those who are participating in industrial action due to a dispute over pay and working conditions. Great Western Railway operates routes west of London including those towards south west England such as Wiltshire , Bristol , Cornwall , Gloucestershire , as well as Oxfordshire , Berkshire , Hereford and South Wales . The following is
1860-785: The West of England and South Wales to the South coast of England. Great Western Railway also operates the Heathrow Express service. The company began operating in February 1996 as Great Western Trains , as part of the privatisation of British Rail . In December 1998, it became First Great Western after FirstGroup bought out its partners' shares in Great Western Holdings . In April 2006, First Great Western, First Great Western Link and Wessex Trains were combined into
1922-543: The Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Line which reduced the distance from London to Castle Cary by 14.25 miles (23 km) and provided double track throughout. This was followed by the construction of the Langport and Castle Cary Railway , which was opened from Castle Cary to the existing Bristol to Exeter line at Cogload Junction in 1906. This transformed Castle Cary from a station on a secondary north to south line, to one on
Langport and Castle Cary Railway - Misplaced Pages Continue
1984-629: The Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Line, but this has not resulted in a shorter published mileage. Cogload Junction was a flat junction which meant that trains from Taunton to Castle Cary had to cross the line used by trains from Bristol to Taunton. On 15 November 1931 a flyover was brought into use to allow the down trains from Bristol to pass above the two Castle Cary lines, and from there to Taunton and Norton Fitzwarren there were now four running lines. From East to West these were: Down Bristol, Down Castle Cary, Up Castle Cary, Up Bristol, but crossovers at Cogload were added later that allowed trains to run on
2046-429: The adjacent line when necessary. Trains now run non-stop between Castle Cary and Taunton. The regular service is operated by Great Western Railway but CrossCountry also use the line as a diversionary route should the main Bristol to Taunton Line be blocked, travelling over the Wessex Main Line via Bath Spa and Westbury to reach Castle Cary. Their drivers' knowledge in recent years has been maintained by running
2108-499: The afternoon. Toilet facilities are available on the concourse too. In front of the building is a car park for 100 cars, a bus stop and a taxi rank. Platform 2 serves west bound services to Taunton, Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance, whilst the shorter platform 3 can only be used by trains on the Bristol to Weymouth line. Immediately to the west of the station the Weymouth line diverges from the London to Penzance Line. Castle Cary station
2170-407: The benefits through a longer-term franchise." By not taking up the option to extend its original franchise contract for a further three years, FirstGroup avoided having to pay £826.6 million to the government; it received extra subsidies totalling £133 million from the government in 2010. In March 2012, Arriva , FirstGroup, National Express and Stagecoach were shortlisted to bid for
2232-691: The city of Wells which lost its rail connection in 1963. The Great Western Railway service between London Paddington and Exeter St Davids runs approximately every two hours, with 9 trains towards London Paddington per day, and 10 trains towards Exeter St Davids, although some services will reach stations such as Paignton and Plymouth. The service between Gloucester and Weymouth runs on a similar frequency, with 9 trains in each direction all weekdays except Friday, where only 8 operate northbound, however, some trains only operate between Bristol Temple Meads and Weymouth. The South Western Railway service between London Waterloo and Yeovil Junction via Westbury and Salisbury
2294-500: The decision was taken to re-brand and re-livery all services as 'First Great Western'. In May 2011, FirstGroup announced that it had decided not to take up the option to extend its franchise beyond the end of March 2013. It stated that, in the light of the £1 billion plan to electrify the Great Western route from London via Bristol to Cardiff, it wished to try to negotiate a longer-term deal. CEO Tim O'Toole said: "We believe we are best placed to manage these projects and capture
2356-497: The distance to Westbury on the Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Line by 14 + 1 ⁄ 4 miles (22.9 km). The first section of the Castle Cary Cut-Off was opened on 1 July 1905 from Castle Cary as far as Charlton Mackrell , then on 2 April 1906 goods trains started running east from the new Cogload Junction to Somerton and this was extended to Charton Mackrell on 20 May 1906. The route followed part of
2418-453: The end of 2024, ending their services with GWR in Devon and Cornwall and replaced with Class 175s . All power cars being retained will have new nameplates, named after castles from across the area that GWR serve. The sets are progressively being fitted with automatic doors and controlled emission toilets, to allow their operation beyond 2020, at Doncaster Works . Due to a delay in refurbishing
2480-648: The end of July 2028. The new franchise would include the introduction of new Intercity Express Trains , capacity enhancements and smart ticketing . The award of the franchise was again delayed in October 2012, while the Department for Transport (DfT) reviewed the way rail franchises were awarded. In January 2013, the government announced that the current competition for the franchise had been aborted, and that FirstGroup's contract had been extended until October 2013. A two-year franchise extension until September 2015
2542-414: The existing Class 332 , entering service on 29 December 2020. In 2023 3 units were cascaded to Great Northern . Great Western Railway retained 24 power cars and 48 carriages from its former High Speed Train fleet to form 12 'Castle' 2+4 sets. They are branded as Class 255 sets and are for use on multiple services between Plymouth and Penzance. There is a consensus that the sets shall be withdrawn at
Langport and Castle Cary Railway - Misplaced Pages Continue
2604-464: The former Great Western Railway which existed between 1835 and 1947. The new livery was introduced when HST interiors were refurbished, and on sleeper carriages and Class 57/6 locomotives. In May 2018, TfL Rail – which later became the Elizabeth line – took over services from Paddington to Hayes & Harlington , and then some stopping services to Reading in December 2019. becoming part of
2666-543: The incident should not have happened and "No one travelling with us should be left feeling like this". In 2015, the imminent arrival of the new Class 800 trains provoked a series of strikes by the RMT union over who has the right to control the doors. First Great Western wanted to replace conductors with driver-only operation (DOO); however, following several discussions it was agreed to keep conductors on all IET services. Another strike took place in early December 2016 amidst
2728-573: The lifting pads and yaw dampers so that more trains could be returned to service. A further six Class 387 units were loaned from Govia Thameslink Railway in July 2021 and used in a common pool with GWR's existing 387/1 fleet, being surplus to requirements while the Gatwick Express service was suspended. Great Western Railway inherited a fleet of InterCity 125 sets ( Class 43 power cars and Mark 3 Coaches ) and Class 57 locomotives and Mark 3 sleeper coaches from BR. In 2006, it inherited
2790-445: The line. It was situated in a cutting west of Somerton Tunnel near the hamlet of Upton but named after the larger villages of Long Sutton and Pitney , both about a mile distant south and north of the line respectively. The station had small corrugated iron shelters on both platforms. Although passenger trains were withdrawn on 10 September 1962, goods traffic continued to be handled until 6 July 1964. The first station at Langport
2852-573: The lines in the area including the Severn Beach line , Heart of Wessex Line , Golden Valley line and Bristol to Exeter line . From summer 2018, they are due to run on Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour services too. In response to its Remedial Plan Notice, First Great Western undertook a more thorough refurbishment of the Thames Turbo fleet than originally planned: the trains were to be fitted with improved lighting, carpets, toilets, and
2914-715: The new Greater Western franchise and brought under the First Great Western brand. The company adopted its current name and a new livery in September 2015 to coincide with the start of a contract that was subsequently extended to run until June 2028. As part of the privatisation of British Rail , the Great Western InterCity franchise was awarded by the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising to Great Western Holdings in December 1995, and it began operations on 4 February 1996. Great Western Holdings
2976-468: The new franchise. The winner was expected to be announced in December 2012, with the new franchisee taking over in April 2013. But it was announced in July 2012 that the franchise would be extended, due to the late issue of the invitation to tender (ITT). The ITT ran from the end of July until October 2012. The winner would have been announced in March 2013, and taken on the franchise from 21 July 2013 until
3038-459: The new line from Athelney to Cogload. This small halt was opened on 21 July 1905, three weeks after the line was opened as far as Charlton Mackrell, to serve the village of Alford . A siding was opened for military goods traffic on 15 September 1940. The halt closed on 10 September 1962. This station was the first one west of Castle Cary when the line opened on 1 July 1905 and was situated a mile south east of Keinton Mandeville . The main building
3100-514: The old branch line, the line crossed some moors on a low viaduct and the River Parrett on a 105 feet (32 m) girder bridge. Passenger services were also withdrawn on 10 September 1962. Although served by local trains between Castle Cary and Taunton, the station at Athelney was also served by trains on the Yeovil to Taunton Line and so remained open until 15 June 1964. Castle Cary railway station Castle Cary railway station
3162-407: The older InterCity 125 sets. On 28 April 2021, six Class 800s were withdrawn from service due to cracks being found during maintenance and were sent to Hitachi for inspection. Long-distance services between London and destinations in the west of the GWR network (such as Paignton , Newquay , Plymouth and Penzance ) are mostly operated using the fleet of 36 Class 802 trains, the first of which
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#17327661875513224-449: The same time as before. The new lines between Patney and Chirton and Cogload reduced the distance from London to Penzance from 325 + 1 ⁄ 2 to 305 + 1 ⁄ 4 miles; Taunton was now 143 instead of 163 + 1 ⁄ 4 miles from London – a 12 + 1 ⁄ 2 % reduction. Two additional short cut-off lines were opened in 1933 to allow non-stop trains to avoid sharp curves at Westbury and Frome railway stations on
3286-862: The suspension system) of Class 800 and 802 InterCity Express Trains (IET). Eight trains were withdrawn from service and an investigation started into the cause. On 8 May, all these trains and similar ones operated by other companies were taken out of service. Cracks had now been found in the lifting pads (a component fixed near the bogie ) and it was feared that if these were to fall off they may cause injury or derailment. The only IET units that were permitted to operate were those which had been carefully inspected and found to have no significant cracks. This meant that most of GWR's 93 units were unavailable which led to significant disruption to long-distance services. Class 387 units operated additional services from London Paddington to Didcot Parkway which were later extended to Swindon and Bristol Parkway after approval
3348-419: The train she was travelling in, for using a disabled space for her mobility scooter. Canadian-born comedian Tanyalee Davis , who has a form of dwarfism, said she was humiliated when a Great Western Railway conductor made an announcement that she was "causing problems" which had delayed the train. The incident occurred after a woman travelling with a young child demanded that Davis make way for her pram. GWR said
3410-406: Was agreed in October 2013, and subsequently extended until March 2019. A further extension to April 2019 was granted in March 2015. The refurbishment of first-class carriages in 2014 included interiors that featured a new GWR logo, with no First branding. The whole company was rebranded Great Western Railway (GWR) on 20 September 2015, with the introduction of a green livery in recognition of
3472-428: Was given for them to operate in service on this route. Three additional 387 units were loaned from c2c and were modified to work with GWR's fleet, mostly on services to Newbury . CrossCountry operated a service on behalf of GWR from Swindon to Bristol Temple Meads and the few available 800 and 802, were concentrated on services west of Swindon and to Plymouth . Plans were agreed on 13 May to increase inspections of
3534-408: Was introduced on 20 August 2018. These trains are almost identical to the Class 800 trains, except they have a higher engine operating power—700 kW (940 hp) per engine as opposed to 560 kW (750 hp)—and are fitted with larger fuel tanks to cope with the gradients and extended running in diesel mode on the long unelectrified stretches in Devon and Cornwall. Hitachi planned to test
3596-400: Was on the eastbound platform and the small goods yard was behind this platform at the east end. For the first year after opening on 1 July 1905, the station at Charlton Mackrell was the terminus of the temporary branch from Castle Cary. In common with other stations between Castle Cary and Cogload Junction it was closed on 10 September 1962. The main building was on the eastbound platform and
3658-481: Was opened on 1 October 1853 on the Yeovil Branch Line . With the opening of the town's second station on 2 July 1906 it was renamed "Langport West" while the new one became " Langport East ". The new station gave access to direct trains to London but was unusual for stations on the line as the main building was on the westbound platform. Between the station and Curry Rivel Junction, where the cutoff joined
3720-760: Was owned by some former British Rail managers (51%), FirstBus (24.5%) and 3i (24.5%). In March 1998, FirstGroup bought out its partners' stakes to give it 100% ownership. In December 1998, the franchise was rebranded First Great Western. On 1 April 2004, First Great Western Link began operating the Thames Trains franchise. It ran local services from Paddington to Slough , Henley-on-Thames , Reading , Didcot Parkway , Oxford , Newbury , Bedwyn , Worcester Shrub Hill , Hereford , Banbury and Stratford-upon-Avon . It also operated services from Reading to Gatwick Airport (via Guildford and Dorking ), and from Reading to Basingstoke . On 1 April 2006,
3782-766: Was placed on permanent lease with GWR. The Class 165 "Networker Turbo" is a two- or three-coach DMU used on shorter-distance services in the Thames Valley area, with the majority based at Reading Traction Maintenance Depot . They are mainly used on branches such as the Greenford branch line , Slough–Windsor & Eton line , Marlow branch line and Henley branch line . They are also used on services between Reading and Basingstoke, Didcot Parkway and Oxford or Banbury and sometimes services between London and Oxford. Some are (and eventually all will be) based at St Philip's Marsh depot in Bristol, where they work on most of
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#17327661875513844-419: Was sited opposite the goods yard but a new signal box was opened late in 1942 to control some new loop lines installed to the west of the station to allow goods trains to be overtaken. Although passenger trains were withdrawn on 10 September 1962, goods traffic continued to be handled until 6 July 1964. This was an additional station opened on 1 October 1907 over a year after passenger trains started running on
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