page_title: Bristol–Exeter line
section_title: Services
hierarchical_section_title: Bristol–Exeter line / Services
caption_attribution_description: English: Great Western Railway 'Turbo' 166220 passes the signal protecting the southern approach to Weston-super-Mare station. It is operating a service from Taunton to Cardiff Central.
context_page_description: The Bristol to Exeter line is a major branch of the Great Western Main Line in the West of England and runs from Bristol, to Exeter, from where it continues as the Exeter to Plymouth line. It was one of the principal routes of the pre-1948 Great Western Railway which were subsequently taken over by the Western Region of British Railways and are now part of the Network Rail system.
context_section_description: Most services on the route are operated by Great Western Railway. Local trains generally operate from Taunton to Cardiff Central (calling at all stations except Bedminster and Parson Street) and from Weston-super-Mare to Bristol Parkway, combining to give a half-hourly service between Weston-super-Mare and Bristol Temple Meads throughout much of the day.  A number of other through trains are also operated, mainly to and from London Paddington; a few services continue towards Penzance. Local trains are mostly formed from a mix of Class 165 and 166 DMUs.  London services are operated using Class 800 and Class 802 sets.
  The other operator on the route is CrossCountry, which provides trains between Scotland and north-east England and Paignton, Plymouth or Penzance.  Trains are mostly formed of Class 220 and 221 units, working either singly or in pairs, although each day also sees a few workings using HST sets.
  Heritage trains often operate on the route on rail tours and summer weekends for several years have featured regular steam-hauled Torbay Express services.
caption: A Class 166 approaching Weston-super-Mare
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