Slipping and Sliding in the West

[whole diary]

[SandTEngineer]

Looks as though its another bad day on the Devon and Cornwall banks (Sunday 01 December 2013).  Quite a lot of trains up to two hours late.  Looks as though the Rail Head Treatment train didn't run for some reason.........

[SandTEngineer]

...and there was this interesting statement explaining one cancellation at Plymouth...
"This service was cancelled between Plymouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed due to it being Autumn."

....well technically today is Winter......

[Chris from Nailsea]

Hmm. Technically, winter doesn't start until 21 December. 

From First Great Western JourneyCheck, earlier today:

Delays to services between Totnes and Lostwithiel
Owing to poor rail conditions between Totnes and Lostwithiel all lines are affected.
Train services running through these stations may be delayed by up to 75 mins at short notice. An estimate for the resumption of normal services will be provided as soon as the problem has been fully assessed.
Message Received: 01/12/2013 12:15

Cancellations to services between Penzance and Exeter St Davids
Owing to poor rail conditions between Penzance and Exeter St Davids all lines are affected.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed by up to 90 mins at short notice. An estimate for the resumption of normal services will be provided as soon as the problem has been fully assessed.
Message Received: 01/12/2013 12:58

[SandTEngineer]

Hmm. Technically, winter doesn't start until 21 December. 

...well that depends on whether you use the Meteorological calender or the Astronomical calender  http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/learn-about-the-weather/how-weather-works/when-does-winter-start  I claim I was using the former

[Chris from Nailsea]

... and I'm not disagreeing with you, SandTEngineer - I'm merely offering an alternative technical view! 

[bobm]

What is for certain is that passengers on the 08:35 from Penzance are set to arrive in London two hours late after an eight hour journey.

[Chris from Nailsea]

However, things are generally improving:

Trains now running normally between Penzance and Exeter St Davids
Following poor rail conditions earlier between Penzance and Exeter St Davids:
Train services running to and from these stations are running normally.
Message Received: 01/12/2013 15:10

... except on the St Ives branch, unfortunately:

Cancellations to services between St Erth and St Ives
Owing to a broken down train between St Erth and St Ives all lines are blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled at short notice. An estimate for the resumption of normal services will be provided as soon as the problem has been fully assessed.
First Devon & Cornwall Buses 17/17A & 17B Penzance - St Erth - Lelant - Carbis Bay - St Ives 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.
Message Received: 01/12/2013 15:07

[SandTEngineer]

What is for certain is that passengers on the 08:35 from Penzance are set to arrive in London two hours late after an eight hour journey.

Well it got diverted non-stop from Exeter St.Davids via Bristol TM^‡(resolve) to the scheduled stop at Swindon and has made up 20 mins so now only 1 hour 40 mins late

[LiskeardRich]

When I was at Redruth yesterday morning, everything was delayed. I turned up to catch the 1126 from Redruth to Truro at 1120 and caught the previous service. The 1126 was the only service showing on time, however this was an impossibility due to the large signalling blocks in Cornwall, the service I caught left Redruth at 1121.

[SandTEngineer]

Lets hope the Rail Head Treatment Train runs tomorrow morning: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H15378/2013/12/02/advanced

[bobm]

They run some pretty impressive distances over varying routes those trains.  Do they have to pick up further supplies of water en route?

[LiskeardRich]

Local travel news giving:

Disruption on First Great Western between St Erth and St Ives (Cornwall) due to broken down train at Lelant Saltings. Tickets being accepted on First Devon & Cornwall Buses 17/17A & 17B Penzance - St Erth - Lelant - Carbis Bay - St Ives services. The line is currently blocked by a broken down train. First Great Western do not have an estimate for when a normal service will resume

Sounds a little too integrated for a bus to accept a train ticket 

[The Tall Controller]

Was at Parkway today. 0957 left 12 late from me and got stuck just a couple of miles away. Eventually got to Liskeard 118 mins late. Spent the next 3 hours playing catch-up with delays, inquiries, refunds, tickets ect.

Was a very crazy morning/afternoon but I must thank the Lostwithiel signaller for his work keeping me updated with proceedings so I didn't have too many angry customers!

[SandTEngineer]

They run some pretty impressive distances over varying routes those trains.  Do they have to pick up further supplies of water en route?

They appear to carry enough in my opinion: http://2e0mca.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/a-year-on-track/10345829784_04c3bebe41_z/

[ChrisB]

Technically, winter starts December 21 - meteorlogically, it started today.