Weather disruption caused in 2014, and how to prevent it happening again - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[Mookiemoo]

Usual stops to Bristol - reading, didcot, Swindon etc

[John R]

Realtimetrains isn't very good when trains have additional stops or are diverted en route. But it's much better than National Rail for finding out where a train is between stations, and whether it is moving. So, yes, I can see that it's currently stuck in the wet section around Maidenhead. Suspect it will be a good hour late by the time it gets past it.  Grr!

And now showing as cancelled beyond Bristol. Double Grr!

[JayMac]

And now showing as cancelled beyond Bristol. Double Grr!

Looks like by the time the 1730 to WSM gets to Bristol the 1830 to WSM will have caught it up.

[Jonty]

Funny, you can read a post and just know that Taplow Green is the author, without even looking.

Something to do with his rather chippy view of the world, that everything should run like clockwork for his personal convenience, and how he refuses to accept that 'events dear boy' sometimes just happen...

[thetrout]

I managed to make the 18:43 from Bath Spa heading in the opposite direction (Towards London). Running around 20 minutes late.

Was a very lucky connection as the 18:16 from Trowbridge was running 25 minutes late. Had the 18:43 been on time I would now be waiting for the 19:43.

Just a word of warning to folk travelling out there. Not all staff know about Ticket Restrictions being relaxed. I saw a tweet this morning from someone who was told by a staff member that "To my knowledge all restrictions are applied as usual"

The TM^‡(resolve) on the 18:43 just quibbled my First Advance and told me it wasn't valid. I explained (Very badly, couldn't get the right words out; was stuck in one of my lights on, no-one home moments) that ticket acceptance was in place for the remainder of the working week. He stamped the ticket and moved on but seemed very less than impressed.

[Mookiemoo]

Has the 1830 even made it past maidenhead - can't see any reports of it anywhere

[JayMac]

Funny, you can read a post and just know that Taplow Green is the author, without even looking.

Something to do with his rather chippy view of the world, that everything should run like clockwork for his personal convenience, and how he refuses to accept that 'events dear boy' sometimes just happen...

A gentle reminder to all. Let's keep things civilised. Debate points raised and challenge assertions by all means. Just don't make it personal.

[johoare]

Has the 1830 even made it past maidenhead - can't see any reports of it anywhere

Realtime trains says it is approaching Maidenhead now

[johoare]

Has the 1830 even made it past maidenhead - can't see any reports of it anywhere

Realtime trains says it is approaching Maidenhead now

And approaching Twyford at the same time..Hopefully that means it is in the general area 

[4064ReadingAbbey]

As I understand it and my knowledge of engineering is not that detailed (I'm not an engineer), HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) can't run through the water as the electric traction motors are suspended on the bogies thus making them susceptible to water damage. Turbos and Adelantes are mechanically driven with the engine and gearbox suspended in the body of the train, final drive to the axles being by mechanical propshaft therefore less susceptible to water damage.

Anyone with more detailed knowledge care to comment.

There are electrical components hung from the bogies of the Turbos and Adelantes even though they have mechanical transmission. The aerial(s) for the AWS^▸ (Automatic Warning System)/TPWS^▸ (Train Protection and Warning System) are bogie-mounted as is the track circuit exciting loop (can't remember the correct name at the moment but it is the device to ensure that track circuits register the presence of the vehicle even in the presence of rail head or wheel contamination). There are also the connections to the axle end pick ups for the wheel slide protection. The HST certainly has the WSP connections, but IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly), the AWS/TPWS receivers are hung from the body, but are still close to the rails. It doesn't have the track circuit exciter because it's big enough and ugly enough not to need it.

All of these things are proof against water spray, but I wouldn't be so sure about immersion.

[JayMac]

Has the 1830 even made it past maidenhead - can't see any reports of it anywhere

Arrived Reading 36 late. Due to a combination of speed restrictions/congestion/delay to preceding services, I suspect.

[Mookiemoo]

Approaching reading!  Much easier than feared

[sorch]

I kind of feel that Twyford (and Henley Branch) passengers have fallen down an FGW^▸ (First Great Western) black hole today.

Probably the same black hole that Langley/Iver fell into this week. The staff at Reading had to call through to make whatever Ealing-bound train I got yesterday stop at Langley, as nothing else was planned to.

Obviously FGW can't be blamed for the problem, but their communication could be better.

Today:

I got the 1712 (heavily delayed) at 1742 from Langley. Signs say to change at Slough for Reading. Got off at Slough.
Staff at Slough have no idea why the PIS^▸ (Passenger Information System) is saying that, apologise and advise to wait for next train to Maidenhead where there "might be a train or a coach". Slough PIS was reporting a Reading-bound service to Exeter, but got on a Turbo instead.
Got to Maidenhead and pushed onto platform 1 for an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) to Weston-Super-Mare. Just before it was planned to arrive, it changed to platform 3(?) and the staff pushed us to move onto platform 3 to catch it. It too had been heavily delayed but not a long wait for us, possibly the train other people are discussing.
Got onto (packed) HST. Arrived in Reading just after 7pm after the inevitable delays around the flooded area.

I might work from home if it's going to be the same tomorrow. Going to Langley wasn't an amazing experience - gridlock in Reading and just outside on the M4 toward Maidenhead on the coach replacement, then no idea if the onward train was going to stop at Langley or not until half way through.

Between this and the 7 hour trip from Cornwall to Reading via Bristol yesterday, I've had my share of bustitution for the year...

[thetrout]

Well my train is now in the affected area. Been having bursts of slow and fast speeds and just pulling into Maidenhead (Hi Jo and NickB )

As promised here is a picture of the affected area. Taken in the hours of darkness; so please forgive the quality. But that cable trough is completely under water. The water levels alongside the cess are quite high and have reached several lineside boxes along the line between Twyford and Madienhead. We also ran on the relief lines between Reading and Maidenhead.

[johoare]

Good luck with your journey Dominic