Great Western Coffee Shop

Ouch............

Cancellations to services between Reading and Guildford

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Reading and Guildford all lines are closed.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or revised. All stations between Reading and Guildford will not be served. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

GWR website says..

Uh oh, I've already bought my ticket from Bookham to Gatwick via Dorking for later today. I may have to travel via Clapham Junction instead :(  I don't particularly want to get on a crowded Southern service in the evening peak with a suitcase.

At the moment the next 3 direct trains are cancelled, I hope there is some sort of a service Guildford to Gatwick later.

That must be a severe failure if it can't be fixed today.

The words are a bit misleading - the gap is between Wokingham and Ash, with the overlapping SWT services still running (though not bang on time just now). One cancellation code on RTT is "This service was cancelled between Guildford and Reading due to a power supply failure (II)" - which may explain why it's a bit more than the usual waggle-the-wires-or-hit-it-with-a-spanner kind of fault.

There is something like a half service from Guildford to Redhill, but not running to Gatwick. Presumably that means they only have the (two?) trains that stable at Gatwick/Redhill, as none got out from Reading this morning. How long will their fuel last?

In cases like this, couldn't they get fuel from Eastleigh? SWT must fuel somewhere within reach?

Will have to keep an eye on live train running for the GWR service but looks like I might be travelling via Horsham. Don't particularly want to rely on Southern at the moment but I guess I may have no choice

They could run to Selhurst for fuel, or back to Reading via Woking and Basingstoke, having been route cleared for both a couple of years ago for one of the big Reading blockades.  But would there be any driver route knowledge?

SWT's nearest fuelling facility is Fratton.  Eastleigh Works or TRSMD can fuel units but they have nothing to do with SWT in normal circumstances.

Paul

Line expected to reopen shortly according to journeycheck.

Reports elsewhere that they are using temporary block working (TBW) - is that effectively hand signalling?

Said that the service will be operated in two sections with a change at Guildford to prevent delays on the damaged section affecting the whole route.   In other words maintaining normal timings at the Redhill end.

Paul

It's used when two or more consecutive signals need to be passed at red and eliminates the need to stop the train at every signal as the driver can proceed (50 mph) max until whenever the last affected signal is. 

A handsignaller is positioned at each end and a certificate is issued to the driver giving details of the signals to be passed at danger and other issues. 

The longer the block, the less frequently the trains can run as only one can be in section at a time, though if it's a really long section of failed signals then you could split it up into two or more TBW sections, though that of course demands more staff.

If I remember correctly, the same procedure as was employed during the groundwater flooding a couple of winters back between PAD & RDG?

Yes, it was for a few days, before the extended block section was introduced (with out of use bagged over intermediate signals) which was controlled 'normally' by the signallers.

Just arrived at Reading on a service from Bristol and there was no announcement advising pax for Gatwick to stay on board, although National Rail is advising that this routing is available (and presumably recommended).

Elsewhere I've read a mile of signalling cabling needed renewing due to damage. The damage wasn't specified, but I did wander if cable theft was involved.

I understand the cable was still in place but had "deteriorated".