Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
> Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>> On 12/06/2021 09:11, MB wrote:
>>> On 12/06/2021 06:44, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>> While The Beast appears bombproof, it has simply been out-foxed by the
>>>>> narrow roads to the summit venue at Carbis Bay on Cornwall’s north
>>>>> coast -
>>>>> a remote destination more suited to Poldark’s stallion than American
>>>>> horsepower.
>>>>>
>>>>> The massive motor, which ferried former President Trump around London on
>>>>> his state visit in 2019, already has form for its outsize dimensions.
>>>>> There
>>>>> were red-faces when Barack Obama visited in 2009 and the Cadillac almost
>>>>> got stuck trying to make a U-turn in Downing Street.
>>>> That was an earlier model.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Didn't one ground during one visit - speed bump?
>>
>> Trump's last visit IIRC, on the way to the new embassy in Battersea.
>> Very embarrassing.
>>
>
> I thought he refused to visit it? As a real estate developer, he believed
> it was in the wrong location, and also (wrongly) believed it was an Obama
> project, which he would automatically refuse to endorse. So he preferred to
> hang out in the ambassador's house in Regent's Park.
>
> But here's an example of the previous model getting expensively grounded in
> Dublin:
> https://youtu.be/ep9bomhKXt8
>
> It was later claimed that the Beast that got grounded was a decoy, and
> Obama was in the second one. But a bus was moved to block the view of
> whoever got out of the stuck car.
>
>

Perhaps raisable suspension and four wheel steering should be on the spec
list for the next generation?

Anna Noyd-Dryver

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:

>
> Meanwhile, the Royal party arrived yesterday by Royal train (at St
> Austell, from Windsor). The following two GWR trains to Penzance were
> delayed.

The Royal Train visited Bristol Parkway at around 2330 last night; if it
had already transported its passengers to Cornwall earlier in the day, I
wonder whether this was just a turning move. From what I could see through
the windows it had a number of men in suits on board but a pretty
relaxed-looking atmosphere.

Incidentally I observe that it's not only slam-door but also not fitted
with CDL (or at least, not the standard system with external indicator
lights.

Anna Noyd-Dryver

On 12/06/2021 10:23, Recliner wrote:
> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>> In message <sa1nln$o4e$2@dont-email.me>, at 08:27:51 on Sat, 12 Jun
>> 2021, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>>
>>>>> The US President doesn’t travel lightly and along with him came a £1.2m
>>>>> Cadillac, nicknamed ‘The Beast’.
>>
>>>> I find it hard to believe they flew over some Cadillacs "with him",
>>>> only to discover at the last moment they didn't fit.
>>>
>>> More likely it was brought over a while back and tested. They've had a
>>> few embarrassments in the past in various overseas countries with the
>>> Beast.
>>
>> Seems a lot of bother to go to when they could use some other military
>> (or embassy) vehicle that's already here, and has similar footprint.
>
> I don't think any other vehicle has the same footprint as the Beast. It's
> basically a 10 tonne lorry, but much lower, and with longer overhangs. The
> turning circle may well be more than an equivalent lorry.
>
>>
>> I assume he'll be using a helicopter to Windsor (and back to wherever
>> he's staying after that), but might need a Beast in Brussels or Geneva.
>
> Yes, I assume the same.
>
>>
>> Meanwhile, the Royal party arrived yesterday by Royal train (at St
>> Austell, from Windsor). The following two GWR trains to Penzance were
>> delayed.
>
> Thanks, I was wondering how HM got there.
>

And, presumably back the same way for the Trooping of the Colour today.

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

On 12/06/2021 11:28, Recliner wrote:
> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>> In message <sa20ht$1i1$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:59:56 on Sat, 12 Jun
>> 2021, MB <MB@nospam.net> remarked:
>>> On 12/06/2021 09:19, Recliner wrote:
>>>> Probably more trouble than it's worth, as detailed digital data about all
>>>> the roads and alternatives on the route would need to be collected. That
>>>> includes vertical gradient maps.
>>>
>>> Does not have to be a digital model, could just be something the same
>>> size as the limo.
>>>
>>> But the military have plenty of experience of 3D modelling.
>>
>> You'd have to model the whole of Cornwall, because escape routes are
>> unpredictable. Much more likely they send down a vehicle slightly
>> larger, and rapidly conclude it's a non-starter. They might then send
>> one of these armoured SUVs in case they need to veto the entire venue as
>> being inaccessible.
>
> I wonder if the Secret Service ever allows local vehicles to be used on
> public roads? They do on private roads, for example when the Obamas were
> conveyed in a Range Rover driven by Prince Philip, from their helicoper
> landing pad to Windsor Castle. And, of course, Trump probably travelled in
> a golf cart more often than in a Beast.

Did they have a special armoured golf-cart?

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

On Sat, 12 Jun 2021 11:49:29 +0100, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>On 12/06/2021 11:28, Recliner wrote:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <sa20ht$1i1$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:59:56 on Sat, 12 Jun
>>> 2021, MB <MB@nospam.net> remarked:
>>>> On 12/06/2021 09:19, Recliner wrote:
>>>>> Probably more trouble than it's worth, as detailed digital data about all
>>>>> the roads and alternatives on the route would need to be collected. That
>>>>> includes vertical gradient maps.
>>>>
>>>> Does not have to be a digital model, could just be something the same
>>>> size as the limo.
>>>>
>>>> But the military have plenty of experience of 3D modelling.
>>>
>>> You'd have to model the whole of Cornwall, because escape routes are
>>> unpredictable. Much more likely they send down a vehicle slightly
>>> larger, and rapidly conclude it's a non-starter. They might then send
>>> one of these armoured SUVs in case they need to veto the entire venue as
>>> being inaccessible.
>>
>> I wonder if the Secret Service ever allows local vehicles to be used on
>> public roads? They do on private roads, for example when the Obamas were
>> conveyed in a Range Rover driven by Prince Philip, from their helicoper
>> landing pad to Windsor Castle. And, of course, Trump probably travelled in
>> a golf cart more often than in a Beast.
>
>
>Did they have a special armoured golf-cart?

They looked much like any other golf carts (though not necessarily driven the way they should be):

<https://www.golfchannel.com/article/grill-room/trump-appears-drive-cart-bedminster-green>

<https://golf.com/lifestyle/celebrities/watch-president-trump-drives-cart-all-over-bedminster-green/>

<https://toronto.citynews.ca/2021/01/10/pga-of-america-pulls-2022-championship-from-trump-golf-course/>

<https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/10/trump-taxes-coronavirus-golf>

<https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/golf/golfer-in-chief-what-does-golf-reveal-about-donald-trump-1.3052027>

On Sat, 12 Jun 2021 11:45:43 +0100, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>On 12/06/2021 10:23, Recliner wrote:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <sa1nln$o4e$2@dont-email.me>, at 08:27:51 on Sat, 12 Jun
>>> 2021, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>>>
>>>>>> The US President doesn’t travel lightly and along with him came a £1.2m
>>>>>> Cadillac, nicknamed ‘The Beast’.
>>>
>>>>> I find it hard to believe they flew over some Cadillacs "with him",
>>>>> only to discover at the last moment they didn't fit.
>>>>
>>>> More likely it was brought over a while back and tested. They've had a
>>>> few embarrassments in the past in various overseas countries with the
>>>> Beast.
>>>
>>> Seems a lot of bother to go to when they could use some other military
>>> (or embassy) vehicle that's already here, and has similar footprint.
>>
>> I don't think any other vehicle has the same footprint as the Beast. It's
>> basically a 10 tonne lorry, but much lower, and with longer overhangs. The
>> turning circle may well be more than an equivalent lorry.
>>
>>>
>>> I assume he'll be using a helicopter to Windsor (and back to wherever
>>> he's staying after that), but might need a Beast in Brussels or Geneva.
>>
>> Yes, I assume the same.
>>
>>>
>>> Meanwhile, the Royal party arrived yesterday by Royal train (at St
>>> Austell, from Windsor). The following two GWR trains to Penzance were
>>> delayed.
>>
>> Thanks, I was wondering how HM got there.
>>
>
>And, presumably back the same way for the Trooping of the Colour today.

I don't know if she likes overnight train travel? There would also have been the option of a quick flight back, and
have a night in bed in Windsor.

On Sat, 12 Jun 2021 06:39:12 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:

>In message <sa01a6$79r$1@dont-email.me>, at 17:00:06 on Fri, 11 Jun
>2021, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
>
>>>On a trip like the current one, several Beasts will have been flown
>>>over, at least one for each location where he'll be needing one.
>>
>>Except he is currently using an SUV rather than the Beast.
>
>As did Trump a lot of the time (domestically). I recall a kerfuffle
>about Trump allegedly risking the lives of Secret Service personnel due
>to refusing to wear a mask, and the pictures were of this class of SUV.

Yes, I have the impression that the Beasts are used for formal parades, and the Suburban HD SUVs for casual travel.

On 12/06/2021 12:30, Recliner wrote:
> I don't know if she likes overnight train travel? There would also have been the option of a quick flight back, and
> have a night in bed in Windsor.

Don't they normally park up the train overnight?

On Sat, 12 Jun 2021 12:56:05 +0100, MB <MB@nospam.net> wrote:

>On 12/06/2021 12:30, Recliner wrote:
>> I don't know if she likes overnight train travel? There would also have been the option of a quick flight back, and
>> have a night in bed in Windsor.
>
>
>
>Don't they normally park up the train overnight?

I'm not sure, but I'd have thought that was the preferred method. But that wouldn't work in this case.

In message <sa27bm$btp$1@dont-email.me>, at 12:56:05 on Sat, 12 Jun
2021, MB <MB@nospam.net> remarked:
>> I don't know if she likes overnight train travel? There would also
>>have been the option of a quick flight back, and have a night in bed
>>in Windsor.
>
>Don't they normally park up the train overnight?

There have been reports in Twitter of it being parked up a couple of
miles west of St Austell, but only for a few hours.
--
Roland Perry

On 12/06/2021 11:28, Recliner wrote:
> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>> In message <sa20ht$1i1$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:59:56 on Sat, 12 Jun
>> 2021, MB <MB@nospam.net> remarked:
>>> On 12/06/2021 09:19, Recliner wrote:
>>>> Probably more trouble than it's worth, as detailed digital data about all
>>>> the roads and alternatives on the route would need to be collected. That
>>>> includes vertical gradient maps.
>>>
>>> Does not have to be a digital model, could just be something the same
>>> size as the limo.
>>>
>>> But the military have plenty of experience of 3D modelling.
>>
>> You'd have to model the whole of Cornwall, because escape routes are
>> unpredictable. Much more likely they send down a vehicle slightly
>> larger, and rapidly conclude it's a non-starter. They might then send
>> one of these armoured SUVs in case they need to veto the entire venue as
>> being inaccessible.
>
> I wonder if the Secret Service ever allows local vehicles to be used on
> public roads? They do on private roads, for example when the Obamas were
> conveyed in a Range Rover driven by Prince Philip, from their helicoper
> landing pad to Windsor Castle. And, of course, Trump probably travelled in
> a golf cart more often than in a Beast.
>
>> But you've have to do that before anyone had decided
>> on Cornwall, and asking the local emergency services about things like
>> this would be an obvious scoping exercise. (Is the Beast really bigger
>> than a regular fire engine?)
>
> No, but it's much lower, and at risk of grounding on hilly roads. The front
> wheels might also have a poor steering lock, thanks to the thick armour in
> the wheel arches.
>

https://youtu.be/QmPLGt5rd_k?t=25

https://youtu.be/UM-Q_zpuJGU?t=175

Look at 17:45 in the latter video.

On 12/06/2021 14:24, hounslow3@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
> On 12/06/2021 11:28, Recliner wrote:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <sa20ht$1i1$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:59:56 on Sat, 12 Jun
>>> 2021, MB <MB@nospam.net> remarked:
>>>> On 12/06/2021 09:19, Recliner wrote:
>>>>> Probably more trouble than it's worth, as detailed digital data
>>>>> about all
>>>>> the roads and alternatives on the route would need to be collected.
>>>>> That
>>>>> includes vertical gradient maps.
>>>>
>>>> Does not have to be a digital model, could just be something the same
>>>> size as the limo.
>>>>
>>>> But the military have plenty of experience of 3D modelling.
>>>
>>> You'd have to model the whole of Cornwall, because escape routes are
>>> unpredictable. Much more likely they send down a vehicle slightly
>>> larger, and rapidly conclude it's a non-starter. They might then send
>>> one of these armoured SUVs in case they need to veto the entire venue as
>>> being inaccessible.
>>
>> I wonder if the Secret Service ever allows local vehicles to be used on
>> public roads?  They do on private roads, for example when the Obamas were
>> conveyed in a Range Rover driven by Prince Philip, from their helicoper
>> landing pad to Windsor Castle. And, of course, Trump probably
>> travelled in
>> a golf cart more often than in a Beast.
>>
>>> But you've have to do that before anyone had decided
>>> on Cornwall, and asking the local emergency services about things like
>>> this would be an obvious scoping exercise. (Is the Beast really bigger
>>> than a regular fire engine?)
>>
>> No, but it's much lower, and at risk of grounding on hilly roads. The
>> front
>> wheels might also have a poor steering lock, thanks to the thick
>> armour in
>> the wheel arches.
>>
>
> https://youtu.be/QmPLGt5rd_k?t=25
>
> https://youtu.be/UM-Q_zpuJGU?t=175
>
> Look at 17:45 in the latter video.

Love it!

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

On 09/06/2021 13:44, MB wrote:
> On 09/06/2021 12:07, Roland Perry wrote:
>> Anyway, from their website:
>>
>> "For security and privacy reasons information about some aircraft is
>> limited or blocked. This includes most military aircraft and certain
>> high profile aircraft, like Air Force One."
>> --
>
>
>
> But is that filtering by FlightRadar or do they have their transponders
> off?  Don't forget that Air Traffic Control seem to now rely completely
> on secondary radar.
>
------------

I get 360 Radar free as I feed it data for multilateration of non
position emitting aircraft. Much better than the mostly civilian based FR24

Pete (Stroud, Glos)

--
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
https://www.avg.com

<martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> wrote:
> https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V10498/2021-06-08/detailed
>

The return working of this ran yesterday
<https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V20273/2021-06-14/detailed>
(9-car 800; ECS Stoke Gifford-Penzance, then ECS Padd-Stoke Gifford). I saw
it arrive at Paddington - it was very lightly loaded (perhaps 60 people
max), the passengers all appeared to be informally dressed and I didn't
recognise anyone important.

Anna Noyd-Dryver

Anna Noyd-Dryver <anna@noyd-dryver.com> wrote:
> <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> wrote:
>> https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V10498/2021-06-08/detailed
>>
>
> The return working of this ran yesterday
> <https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V20273/2021-06-14/detailed>
> (9-car 800; ECS Stoke Gifford-Penzance, then ECS Padd-Stoke Gifford). I saw
> it arrive at Paddington - it was very lightly loaded (perhaps 60 people
> max), the passengers all appeared to be informally dressed and I didn't
> recognise anyone important.
>

Presumably civil servants involved in running the event?

Truth behind G7 'missile launcher' on the coast of Cornwall

https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/truth-behind-g7-missile-launcher-5505615?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=exchange

This was the best story from G7!

Touring electric coach stranded at Eden Project after failing to find
charging point in Cornwall

https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/touring-electric-coach-stranded-eden-5524525

On 15/06/2021 21:16, Anna Noyd-Dryver wrote:
> <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> wrote:
>> https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V10498/2021-06-08/detailed
>>
>
> The return working of this ran yesterday
> <https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V20273/2021-06-14/detailed>
> (9-car 800; ECS Stoke Gifford-Penzance, then ECS Padd-Stoke Gifford). I saw
> it arrive at Paddington - it was very lightly loaded (perhaps 60 people
> max), the passengers all appeared to be informally dressed and I didn't
> recognise anyone important.

There was one earlier in the day as well:-
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V20272/2021-06-14/detailed

In message <sab1qp$osb$1@dont-email.me>, at 20:16:25 on Tue, 15 Jun
2021, Anna Noyd-Dryver <anna@noyd-dryver.com> remarked:
><martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> wrote:
>> https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V10498/2021-06-08/detailed
>>
>
>The return working of this ran yesterday
><https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V20273/2021-06-14/detailed>

Interesting how the Carbis Bay bustitution ceased within minutes of that
train leaving Penzance. Some kind of 'curtain down' on the whole
episode.

>(9-car 800; ECS Stoke Gifford-Penzance, then ECS Padd-Stoke Gifford). I saw
>it arrive at Paddington - it was very lightly loaded (perhaps 60 people
>max), the passengers all appeared to be informally dressed and I didn't
>recognise anyone important.

Perhaps you meant "anyone famous", lots of important work is done by
people the public has never heard of.
--
Roland Perry

In message <sab6h7$pa2$1@dont-email.me>, at 22:37:11 on Tue, 15 Jun
2021, MB <MB@nospam.net> remarked:
>Truth behind G7 'missile launcher' on the coast of Cornwall
>
>https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/truth-behind-g7-missile-
>launcher-5505615?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=exch
>ange
>
>This was the best story from G7!
>
>Touring electric coach stranded at Eden Project after failing to find
>charging point in Cornwall
>
>https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/touring-electric-coach-s
>tranded-eden-5524525

The number of chargers which were superficially functional but "didn't
recognise the coach" makes one wonder if in fact there's something wrong
with that particular vehicle.

Anyway, did they leave their granny-cable at home?
--
Roland Perry

Anna Noyd-Dryver <anna@noyd-dryver.com> wrote:
> <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> wrote:
>> https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V10498/2021-06-08/detailed
>>
>
> The return working of this ran yesterday
> <https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V20273/2021-06-14/detailed>
> (9-car 800; ECS Stoke Gifford-Penzance, then ECS Padd-Stoke Gifford). I saw
> it arrive at Paddington - it was very lightly loaded (perhaps 60 people
> max), the passengers all appeared to be informally dressed and I didn't
> recognise anyone important.
>
>
> Anna Noyd-Dryver
>
>

Falmouth where the press offices and the Police Accommodation was located
had a distinct air of the show is over on Monday evening with only a few
bored security staff still guarding the now empty car park where police
transport had been parked . The temporary cellphone towers had all been
lowered onto their trailers Cornwall CC staff were busy cleaning up. We
even managed to get served reasonable fast at the chippy. The Estonian
Ferry chartered for Police departed Tuesday morning
a couple of hours before the dry dock was flooded and having found
everything in order we left ourselves.
Unlike the G7 we will be back next year .

GH

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <sab1qp$osb$1@dont-email.me>, at 20:16:25 on Tue, 15 Jun
> 2021, Anna Noyd-Dryver <anna@noyd-dryver.com> remarked:
>> <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> wrote:
>>> https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V10498/2021-06-08/detailed
>>>
>>
>> The return working of this ran yesterday
>> <https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V20273/2021-06-14/detailed>
>
> Interesting how the Carbis Bay bustitution ceased within minutes of that
> train leaving Penzance. Some kind of 'curtain down' on the whole
> episode.

Maybe someone down there thought , my great great father left a diary note
about how they signed
off the last broad gauge train as it passed and the gauge change started
and took a cue from the arrangements.

GH

On 15/06/2021 22:40, martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk wrote:
> On 15/06/2021 21:16, Anna Noyd-Dryver wrote:
>> <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> wrote:
>>> https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V10498/2021-06-08/detailed
>>
>> The return working of this ran yesterday
>> <https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V20273/2021-06-14/detailed>
>> (9-car 800; ECS Stoke Gifford-Penzance, then ECS Padd-Stoke Gifford). I saw
>> it arrive at Paddington - it was very lightly loaded (perhaps 60 people
>> max), the passengers all appeared to be informally dressed and I didn't
>> recognise anyone important.
>
> There was one earlier in the day as well:-
> https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V20272/2021-06-14/detailed

Stopping for staffing reasons at all three of Plymouth, Exeter and Bristol
TM seems a little bit excessive.

On 20/06/2021 10:38, Roger Lynn wrote:
> On 15/06/2021 22:40, martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk wrote:
>> On 15/06/2021 21:16, Anna Noyd-Dryver wrote:
>>> <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> wrote:
>>>> https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V10498/2021-06-08/detailed
>>>>
>>>
>>> The return working of this ran yesterday
>>> <https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V20273/2021-06-14/detailed>
>>>
>>> (9-car 800; ECS Stoke Gifford-Penzance, then ECS Padd-Stoke Gifford).
>>> I saw
>>> it arrive at Paddington - it was very lightly loaded (perhaps 60 people
>>> max), the passengers all appeared to be informally dressed and I didn't
>>> recognise anyone important.
>>
>> There was one earlier in the day as well:-
>> https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V20272/2021-06-14/detailed
>
> Stopping for staffing reasons at all three of Plymouth, Exeter and
> Bristol TM seems a little bit excessive.

It allows for maximum crew flexibility so seems reasonable to me.

Roger Lynn <usenet@rilynn.me.uk> wrote:
> On 15/06/2021 22:40, martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk wrote:
>> On 15/06/2021 21:16, Anna Noyd-Dryver wrote:
>>> <martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> wrote:
>>>> https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V10498/2021-06-08/detailed
>>>
>>> The return working of this ran yesterday
>>> <https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V20273/2021-06-14/detailed>
>>> (9-car 800; ECS Stoke Gifford-Penzance, then ECS Padd-Stoke Gifford). I saw
>>> it arrive at Paddington - it was very lightly loaded (perhaps 60 people
>>> max), the passengers all appeared to be informally dressed and I didn't
>>> recognise anyone important.
>>
>> There was one earlier in the day as well:-
>> https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V20272/2021-06-14/detailed
>
> Stopping for staffing reasons at all three of Plymouth, Exeter and Bristol
> TM seems a little bit excessive.
>

Depends on availability of staff to work an additional train, which won't
be known until well after the schedules need to be confirmed. By putting
all three it covers all options. It would need to stop at least once as
it's above the maximum driving hours without a break. It's too late for me
to check now where the crews did actually change over! IIRC on at least one
of the trains new catering crew boarded one stop before the first catering
crew left, allowing a smooth changeover (Exeter/Plymouth or vv).

Anna Noyd-Dryver