Great Western Coffee Shop

It doesn't rain, but it pours.

As at 1221 today all lines through Gloucester, including the mainline that bypasses the city, are blocked as there are problems with another freight train in the area.

A total block is in place as the train is carrying dangerous goods. It is currently at a stand between Gloucester and Tuffley. Fire service are in attendance.

Passenger services between Bristol/Swindon and Cheltenham are being severely disrupted. Replacement road transport is being sourced.

There are numerous passenger services trapped between Cheltenham Spa and Bristol Parkway.

CrossCountry services are being terminated at Birmingham New Street and Bristol Temple Meads.

A London to Cheltenham Spa FGW service is terminating at Swindon. Taxis are being sent to Stonehouse, Stroud and Kemble.

Replacement road transport is en route to Swindon, Bristol Parkway and Gloucester.

Down line past the incident train has reopened. Fire brigade have left the scene and the incident train will be heading to Gloucester Yard at 5 mph.

The train involved was a tanker train from South Wales to Westerleigh Oil Terminal. As the line through Lydney is closed it had had to travel via the Severn Tunnel and onward to Gloucester Yard for the engine to run round and then take the service forward to Westerleigh. A passing passenger train driver noticed smoke coming from one of the wagons and alerted the signaller. All trains were then put on stop. The driver of the tanker train reported a broken axle bearing, with the bogie glowing red hot.

Top work to all involved in dealing with the incident. You can't be too careful when it's dangerous goods.

No the 1st time that particular working has caused issue's.

It had a problem a few years ago as it waited to join the SWML at Briton Ferry where the fire bridgade were called out and the area closed off and services stopped.

I was on the 08:09 Cardiff - Shrewsbury service which was helled  outsiude the port talbot steelworks while Port Talbot Parkway was turning back the hst which had come from London on the 05:27 London Paddington - Swansea service and the class 175 which had departed Cardiff with a Crewe - Milford Haven service.

The inccident started at around 08:05 and my train didnt get into Port Talbot Parkway til around 09:30. The other trains had be turned round to form services to London Paddington and Manchester Piccadily.

The freight train was starting to make a move to Margam Yard  at 10:15. I think the issue was smoke coming from the rear wagon which was removed from the train.

Anyway I pray for no problems tommorow as I am traveling  from Pyle to Worcester via Bristol Parkway for a job interview.

Anyway not a good day on the GWML with all the siganlling issue' at Reading this morning

Of concern is why the axle box with 'bogie glowing red' was not detected by Hot Axle Box/wheel impact Detectors between STJn/Westerleigh Jn/Gloucester New Yard..VERY lucky that the driver of passing train noticed smoke.