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

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

Still, at least our network didn't suffer with any major landslips, this one affecting the WCML^▸ (West Coast Main Line) near Watford today is causing a great deal of disruption and can possibly be described as a 'lucky escape' as it appears a train coming the other way actually made contact with the derailed one: http://www.itv.com/news/2016-09-16/train-derailed-at-watford-junction/

Will be interesting to see the final report on this one, but it's confirmed by the RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) that the train which struck the derailed one received a GSM-R^▸ (Global System for Mobile communications - Railway.) emergency stop message sent by the driver of the derailed train and had reduced the speed from 80mph to 32mph before the collision.  It is quite possible that before the advent of GSM-R whatever radio system had previously been in operation would not have been able to alert the driver of the oncoming train in time for him/her to start braking - particularly as a tunnel was involved.  I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that GSM-R may well have prevented serious loss of life here!

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/derailment-and-collision-watford-tunnel

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/watford-junction-derailment-crashed-train-travelling-at-80mph-before-braking-investigators-find-a3354401.html

[johoare]

From my casual observation (i.e. looking out of passing HST^▸ (High Speed Train) windows), I don't believe the wires are even installed there yet. So presumably the damage is to a gantry or some other piece of support infrastructure?

I had a look yesterday morning and there are wires installed for a short length of the line around and through Burnham station...

[IndustryInsider]

I believe it was another earthing bond that had come loose, so not a permanent part of the electrification equipment.  Three out of the four lines through Burnham have now been wired for a short section towards Slough.

[TaplowGreen]

I believe it was another earthing bond that had come loose, so not a permanent part of the electrification equipment.  Three out of the four lines through Burnham have now been wired for a short section towards Slough.

  Not really very encouraging is it? One tiny length wired and already causing problems before its even in use!

[IndustryInsider]

I believe it was another earthing bond that had come loose, so not a permanent part of the electrification equipment.  Three out of the four lines through Burnham have now been wired for a short section towards Slough.

  Not really very encouraging is it? One tiny length wired and already causing problems before its even in use!

It would be far less encouraging if it was part of the permanent equipment.  AIUI^▸ (as I understand it) these are only earthing bonds attached as a safety measure during the installation of the equipment.  'Electric Train' may be able to elaborate.

[broadgage]

I believe it was another earthing bond that had come loose, so not a permanent part of the electrification equipment.  Three out of the four lines through Burnham have now been wired for a short section towards Slough.

  Not really very encouraging is it? One tiny length wired and already causing problems before its even in use!

No, it is not very encouraging, though as others have pointed out it appears that a temporary earth connection was the problem and not part of the permanent install.

I remain a bit doubtful as to the reliability of the new electric railway, having suffered badly from the failed east coast scheme.
Hopefully lessons have been learnt ! The structures being erected on the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) certainly appear to be much more substantial than those on the East coast job. Portal frames should be inherently more reliable than span wires.

My main concern regarding GWR electrification is not in fact the wires coming down, well not that  often anyway. I fear the increasing sophistication and computerisation of the electrical infrastructure, some of which I fear to be new and untested technology.
I suspect that the power will be turned off or trip out fairly regularly due to computer or software issues. Or to over sensitive protective devices. "all services through Slough are subject to delay and cancellation because a pigeon has flown into the overhead at Bristol"
Yet another growing risk to the reliability and performance of an electric railway is the increasing concern for the welfare of trespassers "all services from Paddington are suspended at present as the traction current has been isolated due to a person climbing the OHLE near Reading"

On The Other Hand (OTOH^▸ (On The Other Hand)), the new trains can proceed on diesel power when the wires come down or the current is turned off, perhaps refreshment could be taken in the buffet during any such delays


Edit: VickiS - Clarifying Acronym

[IndustryInsider]

My main concern regarding GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) electrification is not in fact the wires coming down, well not that  often anyway. I fear the increasing sophistication and computerisation of the electrical infrastructure, some of which I fear to be new and untested technology.
I suspect that the power will be turned off or trip out fairly regularly due to computer or software issues. Or to over sensitive protective devices. "all services through Slough are subject to delay and cancellation because a pigeon has flown into the overhead at Bristol"
Yet another growing risk to the reliability and performance of an electric railway is the increasing concern for the welfare of trespassers "all services from Paddington are suspended at present as the traction current has been isolated due to a person climbing the OHLE near Reading"

Both general scenarios are possible - though I doubt a pigeon at Bristol would affect all services at Slough?.  I guess it depends on whether they happen more or less often than current situations that won't happen, such as 'services delayed due to an engine failure/train running out of fuel/engine fire' etc.  What tends to be the case is that it will happen less often, but when it does there will be more of an impact.  Though apart from the Turbo derailment hitting a gantry outside of Paddington a few months back I can't recall many occasions where the current has had to be isolated due to a fault/emergency on that admittedly short but very busy and highly populated section.

OTOH^▸ (On The Other Hand), the new trains can proceed on diesel power when the wires come down or the current is turned off, perhaps refreshment could be taken in the buffet during any such delays

Depending on whether there's physical damage to the cables in front, or a stranded Class 387 in front, they will be able to proceed.  No doubt emergency supplies of water will be kept in the kitchen.  At the very minimum, at least the air-con and lights will continue to work!  Regarding the 387s, one small reason I'm glad we've got Bombadier electric trains rather than the Siemens equivalent is that there are at least a small number of windows that can be opened should the air-con fail on a very warm day.

[ChrisB]

How many times have we heard of a pigeon hitting the West/East Coast lines? A swan, I think, once, but not sure any pigeon....

[SandTEngineer]

In all my years of working underneath overhead wires I have witnessed many fried pigeons but cannot recall train services ever being delayed by them  .  The breakers will automatically reset anyway.

[Jason]

How about balloons... ?
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=13560.msg147774#msg147774

[ChrisB]

But if they came down now, it would bring trains to a halt....

[broadgage]

How many times have we heard of a pigeon hitting the West/East Coast lines? A swan, I think, once, but not sure any pigeon....

AFAIK^▸ (as far as I know) pigeons regularly strike the existing Over-Head Line Equipment (OHLE) but without any serious consequences except for the pigeon.
My concern is that more sensitive equipment might trip out be damaged by an event that was previously of little consequence.

Edit: VickiS - Clarifying Acronym

[phile]

Problems between Paddington and West Ealing tonight due, according to Great Western Railway (GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)) Journey Check, a signalling problem.    However, BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Travel state the cable thieves have changed tactics to nicking Over-Head Line Equipment (OHLE).   Difficult to believe unless not live and the thieves knew it.

Edit: VickiS - Clarifying Acronyms

[broadgage]

I suspect that the Over-Head Line Equipment (OHLE) is not live and that the thieves know it.

Edit: VickiS - Clariying Acronym

[rower40]

I suspect that the OHLE is not live and that the thieves know it.

And unlike signalling cables, where zero-scrap-value fibre-optic cables can often be used, OHLE needs to be low resistance, and that means copper.  Gold is quite low in resistance too...