Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2014-12-13 12:24:36 - Graham Ellis
The "TransWilts" train from Swindon - to Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury and with some services extended to Dilton Marsh, Warminster, Salisbury and beyond - usually leaves from the terminus platform that inset into the west end of the station. And it often leaves from the front (far end) of that platform because the local train that's used on the Cheltenham Spa service is parked at the near end for long periods between services.
I have observed on a number of occasions people waiting patiently for the doors to open on the parked train, when people have already joined the TransWilts train. And I have also observed train crew from the TransWilts service, and station staff, sweeping up potential travellers to West Wiltshire prior to the Westbury train leaving. But I know it's not happened 100% of the time, and on occasions people are standing by the wrong train when the right train (for them) leaves.
The station departure board - hitherto - haven't helped as they've simple said "platform 2". But that has changed - I was delighed to see the display screen at Swindon last night ...
... which is a small, but very useful change. And indeed at the platform, the display has been updated too:
A small change - but a significant one. Whether the change is as a result of the Community Rail input, or whether it's as as result of other inputs, I don't know. But I do know it's a sensible little change to have made that may have very big positive consequences for some people, and I do know it shows that the community and the rail industry is pulling in the same direction.
I joined that 17:36 train to Westbury, and it left with 69 people on board. People got on and off along the way, and in total 83 people made use of it for at least part of the way. That's not bad going for a train that's only been running for a year, and only has 78 seats.
