Infrastructure problems in Thames Valley causing disruption elsewhere - ongoing, since Oct 2014

[whole diary]

[bobm]

Lorry with a crane on the back.  Not only the level crossing gates at Colthrop damaged but some cables brought down across the tracks too.

Several West of England services diverting via Melksham and Swindon.

[a-driver]

The gates were open at the time. What they think happened is the crane on the back of the lorry caught the overhead BT phone lines, brought them down first which then became entangled in the crossing barrier which, as the lorry continued forward, badly damaged the crossing barrier. 

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Slough


Due to earlier engineering works not being finished on time between London Paddington and Reading disruption is expected until 10:00 14/05.
Train services between London Paddington and Slough are returning to normal but some services will still be cancelled, delayed by up to 65 minutes or revised.

[Jason]

Due to a fault with the signalling system at Hanwell some lines will be blocked. Disruption is expected until 11:00 22/05.
Impact: Train services between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington will be running non stop.
Additional Information:
To fix a fault with the signalling system Network Rail engineers require access to the railway line at Hanwell from 10:00 for approximately one hour. During this time train services from London Paddington towards Slough/Reading will not be able to call at Ealing Broadway, West Ealing, Hanwell or Southall.
Customers at these stations wishing to travel West should use services to London Paddington and change there for Westbound services.
Customers wishing to travel to these stations from the East should travel through to Hayes and Harlington and change there for Eastbound services which are able to call at Southall, Hanwell, West Ealing and Ealing Broadway.

[TaplowGreen]

.....well that didn't take long did it? 


07:33 Maidenhead to London Paddington due 08:06


Facilities on the 07:33 Maidenhead to London Paddington due 08:06.

Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 8.
This is due to damage to the overhead electric wires.

[IndustryInsider]

I don't think there is any damage as such, just the same precaution as yesterday with the supply not ready to be run at full power as discussed on another thread.  Though just a 3-car Turbo substituting today instead of yesterday's 5-car unfortunately.

I gather that the two diagrams (of three planned) being worked by 387s east of Maidenhead are restricted to only using 75% power until that is resolved.  That's still enough to leave a Turbo trailing in their wake though.   

[lordgoata]

I don't think there is any damage as such, just the same precaution as yesterday with the supply not ready to be run at full power as discussed on another thread.  Though just a 3-car Turbo substituting today instead of yesterday's 5-car unfortunately.

II, do you happen to know why the 0811 from Maidenhead (0738 from Goring) was a 3-car today? Or more importantly, do you know if its planned to be 3-car again tomorrow ? I'll be working from home if it is, was horrible this morning :-(

Thanks as always!

[broadgage]

Perhaps the local trains should have been bi-mode as well as the longer distance units.

Useful for when the wires come down/are not yet ready/cant supply sufficient current.

[IndustryInsider]

II, do you happen to know why the 0811 from Maidenhead (0738 from Goring) was a 3-car today? Or more importantly, do you know if its planned to be 3-car again tomorrow ? I'll be working from home if it is, was horrible this morning :-(

Thanks as always!

Just the usual shortage of trains reason.  Obviously covering a Class 387 diagram with a Turbo(s) so far this week doesn't help.  That's the train that used to be a horribly busy 3-car, but was extended to 5-car a year or so ago wasn't it?

As for tomorrow, it just depends on what is available come tomorrow morning.  All being well it won't be short-formed, but any evening/overnight failures might change that!  The stock position is still critical, and will remain so until more 387s come on stream later in the year.

[lordgoata]

That's the train that used to be a horribly busy 3-car, but was extended to 5-car a year or so ago wasn't it?

Thanks II - and yes, it was. Been a 5-car for a long time now, once or twice it was reduced to 3-car, but I don't remember it being as bad as it was today.

[didcotdean]

This morning's 7:34 Didcot Parkway to London Paddington was down to being a 2-car turbo instead of an High Speed Train (HST^▸ (High Speed Train)).

Better than being cancelled altogether I guess.

Edit: VickiS - Clarifying Acronym

[IndustryInsider]

Better than being cancelled altogether I guess.

Only just better!

[didcotdean]

I must have been in a charitable mood when I wrote that.

[TaplowGreen]

So warm weather is forecast for the end of the week.....I'm tempted by an accumulator....delays due to "poor rail conditions", "damage to overhead equipment" and "more trains than usual needing repairs".......if it's beach weather you could add "shortage of drivers"......odds anyone? 

[IndustryInsider]

Historically it seems that above 25c and there's a chance of weather related disruption, and above 30c it's likely they'll be disruption.  Forecast is for high 20's currently.  Who's got the white paint...