Major delays/cancellations, Paddington to Reading, 20 December 2012 and ongoing ...

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

To add to the weather related issues there is now major disruption due to lineside equipment failure between Paddington and Reading. Multiple track circuit failures at Airport Junction. Cancellations and delays of up to 2 hours and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are advising people not to travel unless necessary.

Chiltern Railways, Cross Country, South West Trains, Virgin Trains and London Underground services are conveying passengers via any reasonable route until further notice. Arrangements have been made for First Great Western rail tickets to be accepted for these journeys.

[JayMac]

'Contingency Plan Three' from Network Rail and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) is in place.

See attachment.

[Worcester_Passenger]

Thanks for posting that. Does a summary of it appear anywhere on the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website? I'm reminded of the Fog Service that used to be a similar fallback on the Southern Region in the '60s (though real smoggy flogs had mostly gone by then). But it would be publicised so that passengers knew roughly what to expect.

[eightf48544]

For TV services it used to be 2 tph all stations Reading Paddington.

[JayMac]

That contingency plan is what the train operator can operate, a sort of best case scenario, during a situation like this. It should not be taken as gospel as things can and do change and the situation is fluid. Other factors that need to be taken into account are drivers/guards being out of place/out of hours, and displaced rolling stock.

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) will advise passengers to use their website's 'JourneyCheck' or use National Rail Enquiries.

I posted the contingency plan to give a flavour of what the industry puts in place as quickly as possible in situations such as this. It shouldn't be relied on by passengers to plan their journey.

[BerkshireBugsy]

I posted the contingency plan to give a flavour of what the industry puts in place as quickly as possible in situations such as this. It shouldn't be relied on by passengers to plan their journey.

THanks BNM - in the case of local services (such as Reading to Basingstoke or Newbury) is there a plan which dictates how long it is after these services are suspended that replacment bus services are provided?

Dave

[bobm]

I think the intention is they should be in place as soon as possible but the problem is sometimes finding them.  Bus/coach companies tend not to have vehicles/drivers just sitting around waiting for a call.  The difficulty can be particularly acute at rush hour times when coaches are being used on school/work contracts.  While taxis can be a short term substitute they are not really suitable for mass movement or long distances.

[JayMac]

The first attempt by Network Rail to fix the problem at Airport Junction failed. As at 1416 they are saying:

Network Rail advise that the new module that has been installed is not currently working and further work needs to be undertaken.

[thetrout]

A very bad day for FGW^▸ (First Great Western)!

Also the Par - Newquay and Liskeard - Looe branches have been suspended due to flooding.

I'm booked to travel via Paddington tomorrow. Hopefully things will be sorted by then. Does anyone know though, that *if* there are problems tomorrow, whether ticket acceptance will be allowed for the following day (Saturday)?

[signalandtelegraph]

Currently on 1406 from Pad just passing Hanwell very slowly on the down relief.  We stopped at Acton Main Line to pick up some new SSI^▸ (Solid State Interlocking) modules and an S&T^▸ (Signalling and Telegraph) man which we are going to drop off at Stockley.  Looks like the trains on the down main  are being turned back to gain access to the DR.

[signalandtelegraph]

Back on the DM at Dolphin and now proceeding at an increased rate of knots!!!! 

[JayMac]

While taxis can be a short term substitute they are not really suitable for mass movement or long distances.

Not ideal for mass movement but can be used for long distances. I was reading on another rail forum about a passenger who was delayed following OHLE problems on the ECML^▸ (East Coast Main Line) on 17th December. He was heading to London to connect with the Night Riviera Sleeper onward to Plymouth. He missed his connection so East Coast provided a taxi for him from King's Cross to Plymouth!

And it was on the meter:



http://railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=76517&page=2 post #19 et seq.

Nice Christmas bonus for that cabbie! 

[JayMac]

In addition to the acceptance of tickets on other operators by reasonable routes, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have now lifted time restrictions on walk up tickets for the remainder of the day. Advance Purchase ticket holders can claim full refunds if their service is cancelled, or travel on a later service:

Walkup Ticket Restrictions
All normal FGW ticket restrictions have been lifted for the remainder of service today.

Advance Purchase tickets
In line with the conditions of issue, customers holding advance purchase tickets who are unable to complete their journey due to cancelled services are eligible for a refund. Advance Purchase tickets will also be valid for use on the next available service in the event of the customer s reserved service being cancelled or delayed.

[Electric train]

I am on the 16:00 departed 16:10 special  padd to rdg calling at slough maidenhead 16:45 trundeling through ealing Broadway

[grahame]

I am on the 16:00 departed 16:10 special  padd to rdg calling at slough maidenhead 16:45 trundeling through ealing Broadway

Have you got to Reading yet?  I am on the 17:15 to Carmarthen, left 17:27, trundling through Ealing Broadway at 17:55  and we are warned that trains ahead are up to an hour and 40 minutes late at Reading