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

[whole diary]

[Bob_Blakey]

I assume that the running of the 1857 HEx service from Terminal 5 on the Relief Line after Southall, resulting in a 30 minute journey time, and the 40 minute late departure of the 1903 GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) to Plymouth were in some way associated with yesterday's complete chaos. Or was this entirely down to the ASLEF^» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about) spanner in the works?

[stuving]

I assume that the running of the 1857 HEx service from Terminal 5 on the Relief Line after Southall, resulting in a 30 minute journey time, and the 40 minute late departure of the 1903 GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) to Plymouth were in some way associated with yesterday's complete chaos. Or was this entirely down to the ASLEF^» (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen - about) spanner in the works?

Assuming you mean yesterday, both mains were still closed out to about Ealing. Presumably that was to do with repairing the OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE"), and possibly much investigating of what happened to it. Running a Sunday service with two lines out of use ought to be possible, but the OLE issue was being blamed for cancellations all day.

From the afternoon, cancellations were also blamed on problems with staff, trains, and just having a bad train day. That Plymouth train (1C94) had come in from Plymouth at 19:24, so leaving within 20 minutes was about the best it was going to do.

[TaplowGreen]

Another day.......

Delays to services between Reading and Slough

Due to an object being caught on the overhead electric wires at Twyford some lines are blocked. Disruption is expected until 12:00 12/12.
Train services between Reading and Slough may be delayed.

Additional Information
Thames Valley Fire Service has advised that there is a fire near the railway at Twyford, as well as reports of a fallen tree which may have caused damage to the wires. The relief lines (served by local stopping trains) are closed. The highspeed mainline (served by fast non-stop trains) remains open. We're sorry for any disruption this brings to your travel plans today.

[TaplowGreen]

......and tonight, it's the tracks again! 

Delays to services between London Paddington and Reading

Due to a speed restriction over defective track between London Paddington and Reading trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines.

Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

[NickB]

A genuine question.  When will the line from Maidenhead to Paddington be (properly) fixed and issues relegated to at least a fortnightly if not monthly occurence?

[GBM]

A genuine question.  When will the line from Maidenhead to Paddington be (properly) fixed and issues relegated to at least a fortnightly if not monthly occurence?

Best ask Network Rail on that one.
Or perhaps ask your local M.P to put pressure on Network Rail to close the line for a while to upgrade everything.
Don't think many passengers would notice a full line closure!

[TaplowGreen]

A genuine question.  When will the line from Maidenhead to Paddington be (properly) fixed and issues relegated to at least a fortnightly if not monthly occurence?

Best ask Network Rail on that one.
Or perhaps ask your local M.P to put pressure on Network Rail to close the line for a while to upgrade everything.
Don't think many passengers would notice a full line closure!

I'd rather have a full line closure, or evening/overnight closures to resolve these issues permanently and create a robust system, instead of what has become a daily lottery, potentially
ending in a much more serious incident with loss of life.

Currently it's shambolic, so it may have to be short term pain for long term gain.

Now's the time for those at the top of Network Rail to stand up and be counted and similarly GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) should be applying pressure on them to do so.

Tape & bits of string will only hold it together for so long.

[grahame]

Or perhaps ask your local M.P to put pressure on Network Rail to close the line for a while to upgrade everything.

Is there an attraction in the idea of running a two track railway for a month during the quieter winter period?  10 car IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) trains in "cascades" every half hour which (example) divide at Reading for Hereford / Exeter and Cheltenham / Penzance  alternately, with 9 car services to Swansea and Bristol. Followed in each cascade by a 387 to Newbury or Didcot (and Cardiff?), a Heathrow Express and an Elizabeth Line service?     Oops - I am starting to suggest to the professionals what they might do.

Worry, mind, that during the first phase with two lines still unfixed, even the two track reduced service would be liable to break.

[TaplowGreen]

Or perhaps ask your local M.P to put pressure on Network Rail to close the line for a while to upgrade everything.

Is there an attraction in the idea of running a two track railway for a month during the quieter winter period?  10 car IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) trains in "cascades" every half hour which (example) divide at Reading for Hereford / Exeter and Cheltenham / Penzance  alternately, with 9 car services to Swansea and Bristol. Followed in each cascade by a 387 to Newbury or Didcot (and Cardiff?), a Heathrow Express and an Elizabeth Line service?     Oops - I am starting to suggest to the professionals what they might do.

Worry, mind, that during the first phase with two lines still unfixed, even the two track reduced service would be liable to break.

Turn everything around at Reading, perhaps a skeleton peak only Elizabeth Line service Reading- Paddington, otherwise Reading-Waterloo, Windsor- Waterloo.

[BBM]

Groundhog day 

A broken rail between London Paddington and Reading / Heathrow Airport means trains have to run at reduced speeds on some lines. As a result, trains may be cancelled or delayed by up to 15 minutes.

This is expected until the end of the day.

Looking at Open Train Times Maps there seems to be a queue of trains at a standstill currently on the UM from Ealing Broadway back to Hanwell.

And now they're on the move but being switched to the UR at Acton West.

[TaplowGreen]

Delays to services between London Paddington and Reading

Due to congestion between London Paddington and Reading trains have to run at reduced speed on some lines.

Train services running to and from these stations will be delayed. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

[TaplowGreen]

Today's Thames Valley treat.....


Alterations to services between Reading and London Paddington

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Reading and London Paddington some lines are blocked.

Train services running to and from these stations will be delayed or terminated at and started back from Reading. Disruption is expected until 16:00 14/12.

[Oxonhutch]

Yesterday afternoon was a broken fishplate at Acton Main Line on the Up Main. Today was signalling issues as mentioned above. Delay Repay claims being submitted for each half of my return. Glad I no longer commute.

[TaplowGreen]

Today's Thames Valley treat.....


Alterations to services between Reading and London Paddington

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Reading and London Paddington some lines are blocked.

Train services running to and from these stations will be delayed or terminated at and started back from Reading. Disruption is expected until 16:00 14/12.

Now extended till 1800 so a miserable journey home for many.

What a shambles (yet again).

[1st fan]

Sadly I’m not surprised.