Cotswold Line - 2018 cancellation and amendments log

[whole diary]

[1st fan]

Sorry I meant a 9 car (or HST^▸ (High Speed Train)) but my brain was on automatic.

[IndustryInsider]

Currently on the 15:32 IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) from Hereford to London. The train is only 5 carriages which is a short formation and it should be 10. I notice that the journey check is not showing this fact. It's fairly packed as a result even in 1st where people are standing in the carriage and the vestibule. Seat reservations are not working due to their only being 5 carriages and there's only one working toilet.

That service is actually booked to be a 5-car IET at the moment.  It should be a 9-car though so hopefully will be when more 9-cars are in service.

[Worcester_Passenger]

Monday October 22

04:47 Hereford to London Paddington due 07:52 has been cancelled.
This is due to engineering works not being finished on time.
Last Updated:22/10/2018 04:53

[charles_uk]

and also:

07:10 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 08:51 will be started from Oxford.
It will no longer call at Moreton-in-Marsh, Kingham, Charlbury and Hanborough.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.

Helpfully, National Rail Enquires said this service was only running from Moreton-in-Marsh to Oxford, finally correcting itself shortly after 07:30!

As always, as soon as the autumn leaf fall begins, so does the dive in GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) performance and reliability along the Cotswold Line.

[IndustryInsider]

As always, as soon as the autumn leaf fall begins, so does the dive in GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) performance and reliability along the Cotswold Line.

Most of the delays and cancellations have been unrelated to leaf fall so far - just the usual incompetances we've come to expect in the last year or so.  I am expecting a much better leaf fall season than normal on this particular route as it has been blitzed over the last year with vegetation and tree removals at many locations along the route, despite attempts from some to stop Network Rail from doing so.  This time last year it was like a jungle, so much overdue.

That's not to say it will be perfect though as I'm sure there will still be some delays, and still a few locations where the vegetation has yet to be tackled, but hopefully HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) stalling on Campden Bank and such like will now be prevented.

[charles_uk]

As always, as soon as the autumn leaf fall begins, so does the dive in GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) performance and reliability along the Cotswold Line.

Most of the delays and cancellations have been unrelated to leaf fall so far - just the usual incompetances we've come to expect in the last year or so.  I am expecting a much better leaf fall season than normal on this particular route as it has been blitzed over the last year with vegetation and tree removals at many locations along the route, despite attempts from some to stop Network Rail from doing so.  This time last year it was like a jungle, so much overdue.

That's not to say it will be perfect though as I'm sure there will still be some delays, and still a few locations where the vegetation has yet to be tackled, but hopefully HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) stalling on Campden Bank and such like will now be prevented.

Possibly not the best analogy to have used! I didn't mean to directly link leaf fall with the service going to pot as I know a lot of work has gone on to address that particular problem. However, the level of service does seem to nose dive at this time of year and 2018 seems to be no exception, albeit due to over-running engineering works, track defects, test trains pulling down overhead lines etc. However, a number of HSTs have reappeared on some morning services in recent weeks so maybe there will be a Campden Bank swansong to look forward to...

[1st fan]

Currently on the 15:32 IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) from Hereford to London. The train is only 5 carriages which is a short formation and it should be 10. I notice that the journey check is not showing this fact. It's fairly packed as a result even in 1st where people are standing in the carriage and the vestibule. Seat reservations are not working due to their only being 5 carriages and there's only one working toilet.

That service is actually booked to be a 5-car IET at the moment.  It should be a 9-car though so hopefully will be when more 9-cars are in service.

Thanks for letting me know although that sucks for regular users of the service. Better than a Thames Turbo I suppose but still not great for all those who were left standing.

[charles_uk]

The 07:10 MIM:PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) won't be getting you to London yet again!

07:10 Moreton-in-Marsh to London Paddington due 08:51 will be terminated at Reading.
It will no longer call at London Paddington.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 8. First class not available.

[Witham Bobby]

 

10:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 13:47
10:22 London Paddington to Hereford due 13:47 was terminated at Oxford.
It will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton-in-Marsh, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcester Foregate Street, Malvern Link, Great Malvern, Colwall, Ledbury and Hereford.
This is due to a bridge being damaged.
Last Updated:25/10/2018 12:03

I haven't looked - but guess there was extensive service disruption earlier today following this bridge strike

[Worcester_Passenger]

18:29 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:05 was terminated at Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:25/10/2018 18:51

[Worcester_Passenger]

05:47 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 08:15 has been cancelled.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.
Last Updated:26/10/2018 06:06

No mention of the 08:25 return working from Foregate St to Paddington.

[grahame]

05:47 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 08:15 has been cancelled.
This is due to this train being late from the depot.
Last Updated:26/10/2018 06:06

No mention of the 08:25 return working from Foregate St to Paddington.

Different category

08:25 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 10:57
08:25 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 10:57 will be cancelled.
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:26/10/2018 06:08

Points failure in the depot??

[fladpass]

19:42 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 22:29
 
19:42 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 22:29 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

Likely due to 16:22 1W33 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains):GMV giving up the ghost at Oxford:

This service was cancelled between Oxford and Great Malvern due to a problem with the train (M8).

[Worcester_Passenger]

From JourneyCheck:

Alterations to services between Worcester Foregate Street and Worcester Shrub Hill
Due to a fault with the signalling system between Worcester Foregate Street and Worcester Shrub Hill the line is blocked.
Train services running through these stations may be delayed by up to 30 minutes or revised. Disruption is expected until 10:30 27/10.
Last Updated:27/10/2018 08:27

At 08:36

07:13 Hereford - Paddington yet to arrive at Foregate St (due 07:57)
05:18 Paddington - Great Malvern yet to arrive at Shrub Hill (due 07:43)

[Worcester_Passenger]

According to JourneyCheck, the signalling is not having a good day:

Delays to services at Ascott-Under-Wychwood
Due to a fault with the signalling system at Ascott-under-Wychwood trains have to run at reduced speed on the line towards Oxford.
Train services running through this station may be delayed by up to 15 minutes. Disruption is expected until 16:00 27/10.
Last Updated:27/10/2018 11:06

Meanwhile, the earlier problems seem to have involved a track circuit between Shrub Hill and Foregate St.
According to RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website):

05:18 from Paddington - terminated at Shrub Hill.
Return working, 08:43 Great Malvern - Paddington, started from Shrub Hill.

07:13 from Hereford arrived at Foregate St on time, but left at 09:21, some 82 late.
Further delay at Charlbury. Arrived Paddington 107 late.

06:22 Paddington - Great Malvern terminated at Shrub Hill, arriving 15 late.
Return working, 09:45 Great Malvern - Paddington, started from Shrub Hill.

07:22 Paddington - Great Malvern terminated at Moreton.
Returned as a short working to Oxford.
10:45 Great Malvern - Paddington started from Oxford.

08:22 Paddington - Hereford ran normally. Through Foregate St at 10:49.