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Author Topic: Infrastructure problems in Thames Valley causing disruption elsewhere - ongoing, since Oct 2014  (Read 1240639 times)
IndustryInsider
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« Reply #2970 on: October 17, 2018, 10:50:24 »

Another example where having more diversionary routes would help when it comes to managing events like this.  E.g. via High Wycombe to Bourne End?

The new link to Marylebone has come in very useful for Oxford/Didcot/Cotswold Line passengers.  Not that punters from Bicester, Haddenham and High Wycombe joining already full trains will have thanked them for it.  I’ve heard reports of people joining trains at Bicester to Oxford so they could get a seat when it went back!
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To view my GWML (Great Western Main Line) Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/
didcotdean
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« Reply #2971 on: October 17, 2018, 10:58:12 »

The "tweet the Manager" session of Chiltern began and ended today to apologise for the overcrowding today. They weren't without their own problems earlier this morning around Wembley.

Paddington to South Ruislip also cancelled of course ...
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ChrisB
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« Reply #2972 on: October 17, 2018, 11:20:23 »

There are now two threads running on this.....from the Electrification ongoing thread

I’m hearing reports (unconfirmed) that the pantograph was raised at 105mph in an area where it is not tentioned enough for that to happen.  There are specific rules locations where you can raise on the move at speed.

So, driver error is a possibility.
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eightf48544
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« Reply #2973 on: October 17, 2018, 11:25:37 »

That would do it!
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #2974 on: October 17, 2018, 11:28:01 »

Simon Calder has just been interviewed at Paddington and summed it up quite aptly - electrification - a project running years late, hundreds of millions of £ overspent - brand new (allegedly) high tech trains which simply don't seem to be up to it a year after their introduction, and the whole system collapsing for (probably) 24 hours and more due to one incident.

No evidence of any contingencies for customers, and even the suggestion of going via Waterloo this morning is scuppered by signal failures.

Overpriced, overcrowded, unreliable, uncaring, unfit for purpose.

The next time people ask themselves why people prefer travelling by car, or indeed virtually any alternative to the railways, remember last night and today.
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ChrisB
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« Reply #2975 on: October 17, 2018, 11:29:35 »

I’ve heard reports of people joining trains at Bicester to Oxford so they could get a seat when it went back!

yep, me too today. Worth an extra 30minutes to get a seat!
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Timmer
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« Reply #2976 on: October 17, 2018, 11:38:46 »

I’ve heard reports of people joining trains at Bicester to Oxford so they could get a seat when it went back!

yep, me too today. Worth an extra 30minutes to get a seat!
You might find you have a few more extra permanent customers using this line to London after last night/today.
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Timmer
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« Reply #2977 on: October 17, 2018, 11:49:11 »

Simon Calder has just been interviewed at Paddington and summed it up quite aptly - electrification - a project running years late, hundreds of millions of £ overspent - brand new (allegedly) high tech trains which simply don't seem to be up to it a year after their introduction, and the whole system collapsing for (probably) 24 hours and more due to one incident.

No evidence of any contingencies for customers, and even the suggestion of going via Waterloo this morning is scuppered by signal failures.

Overpriced, overcrowded, unreliable, uncaring, unfit for purpose.

The next time people ask themselves why people prefer travelling by car, or indeed virtually any alternative to the railways, remember last night and today.

That has come from decades of under investment. Very sad.
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BBM
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« Reply #2978 on: October 17, 2018, 11:55:23 »

BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Berkshire reporter Jack Winstanley has just tweeted:

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The first train to leave Reading station for Paddington this morning has just departed from platform 9.

I’m told they’re now in a position to run a reduced service along the line, with things beginning to get back to normal after this morning’s suspension.

https://twitter.com/jhwinstanley/status/1052512146905554944

From RTT» (Real Time Trains - website) it looks like it's 1L42 0730 Carmarthen to Paddington which left Reading at 1145, running 40 minutes late.

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ChrisB
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« Reply #2979 on: October 17, 2018, 12:05:39 »

Looks like 802016 was the culprit. Network Rail (NR» (Network Rail - home page)) have confirmed trains moving.

Now they'll have a further problem come this evening when all those having found their way to work try and get home if there's only the one pair of tracks still working....hopefully, people will stagger their return home, or continue to use the alternative routes...

Edit: VickiS - Clarifying Acronym
« Last Edit: April 16, 2021, 15:06:18 by VickiS » Logged
a-driver
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« Reply #2980 on: October 17, 2018, 12:12:48 »

Simon Calder has just been interviewed at Paddington and summed it up quite aptly - electrification - a project running years late, hundreds of millions of £ overspent - brand new (allegedly) high tech trains which simply don't seem to be up to it a year after their introduction, and the whole system collapsing for (probably) 24 hours and more due to one incident.

No evidence of any contingencies for customers, and even the suggestion of going via Waterloo this morning is scuppered by signal failures.

Overpriced, overcrowded, unreliable, uncaring, unfit for purpose.

The next time people ask themselves why people prefer travelling by car, or indeed virtually any alternative to the railways, remember last night and today.


No contingency plan will be able to cater for the amount traffic that goes into Paddington during the peak.  Any contingency you do have will be totally swamped and will become dangerous.

The problem is the area where the overheads come down, it’s head span construction, all the overheads are held up across all four lines by wires. When the overheads are bought down on one line it brings them down on the other three as well.  
Any train will need the overhead wires removed and then the electric train that is stranded will need rescuing.

That said, the state of the infrastructure doesn’t help.  Headspan is a cheap form of electrification
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Trowres
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« Reply #2981 on: October 17, 2018, 12:13:29 »

After a brief pause at Southall, the errant 5Z65 appears to have now returned to North Pole - according to OTT (Open Train Times website) it is now (12:12) approaching the depot.
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« Reply #2982 on: October 17, 2018, 12:15:41 »

From @GWRHelp on Twitter:

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A void day has been declared for season ticket holders caught up in today's disruption
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« Reply #2983 on: October 17, 2018, 12:22:29 »

I expect passenger numbers will be considerably down compared with usual, so a 2-track timetable will just about cope with numbers, provided they don’t start chucking out 5-car IET (Intercity Express Train) and 4-car trains instead of booked formations.
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To view my GWML (Great Western Main Line) Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/
broadgage
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« Reply #2984 on: October 17, 2018, 12:23:45 »

Simon Calder has just been interviewed at Paddington and summed it up quite aptly - electrification - a project running years late, hundreds of millions of £ overspent - brand new (allegedly) high tech trains which simply don't seem to be up to it a year after their introduction, and the whole system collapsing for (probably) 24 hours and more due to one incident.

No evidence of any contingencies for customers, and even the suggestion of going via Waterloo this morning is scuppered by signal failures.

Overpriced, overcrowded, unreliable, uncaring, unfit for purpose.

The next time people ask themselves why people prefer travelling by car, or indeed virtually any alternative to the railways, remember last night and today.

That has come from decades of under investment. Very sad.

Certainly sad, and PARTIALY due to under investment.
Not entirely though IMO (in my opinion).
A great deal of money has been invested in electrification, without discernible gain for long distance passengers.
A great of money has been spent on the IETs (Intercity Express Train). It is not just me who considers that the new fleet represents a downgrade despite all the expenditure.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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