Train hits fallen signal between Reading and Newbury - 17 November 2014

[whole diary]

[Jason]

From GetReading @ 15:54 (http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local-news/train-services-between-reading-newbury-8123632)
Train services between Reading and Newbury hit by fallen signal cable
A fallen signal cable near Newbury Racecourse has blocked main lines between Reading and Newbury.
First Great Western says services are being delayed by up to an hour or cancelled altogether.
The train operator is currently sourcing replacement transport to operate between Newbury and Reading in both directions.

From FGW^▸ (First Great Western) @ 16:52 (https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/travel-updates)
Delays between Westbury and Reading until at least 17:30
A signalling problem near Thatcham is causing delays of up to 60 minutes to trains between Westbury and Reading. There is no firm estimate yet of how long disruption will last but it is likely to continue until at least 17:30.

[bobm]

It is not just a fallen signal cable - it is the whole signal.   The 10:41 Truro to Paddington ran over it and was 93 minutes late into Reading where it was terminated and sent back as the 17:03 from Paddington to Plymouth starting at Reading.  The following 12:56 from Plymouth was diverted via Melksham/Swindon meaning a Trans Wilts service heading south was sent via Bathampton and missed out the Melksham call.

[tomL]

It is not just a fallen signal cable - it is the whole signal.   The 10:41 Truro to Paddington ran over it and was 93 minutes late into Reading where it was terminated and sent back as the 17:03 from Paddington to Plymouth starting at Reading.  The following 12:56 from Plymouth was diverted via Melksham/Swindon meaning a Trans Wilts service heading south was sent via Bathampton and missed out the Melksham call.

So theres a very flat signal fallen off a gantry? Or a signal 'support' with a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) shaped dent in it? 


"We've lost signal XYZ"
*phone rings*
"What do you mean you've just ran over signal XYZ?!"

[TaplowGreen]

It is not just a fallen signal cable - it is the whole signal.   The 10:41 Truro to Paddington ran over it and was 93 minutes late into Reading where it was terminated and sent back as the 17:03 from Paddington to Plymouth starting at Reading.  The following 12:56 from Plymouth was diverted via Melksham/Swindon meaning a Trans Wilts service heading south was sent via Bathampton and missed out the Melksham call.

Blimey that all sounds rather dramatic! What does it take to make a signal fall over?

Glad I came back from Plymouth yesterday! (on the 1510 from Plymouth, which was only 5 minutes late into Reading!!!)  

[bobm]

As I understand it, it was a signal on a post which fell across the tracks.

[ChrisB]

too much rainfall.....just like trees going over

[TonyK]

Wrong sort of rain / wind combination.

[Worcester_Passenger]

From Realtime Trains, for the 10:41 from Truro:

    This service was cancelled between Reading and London Paddington due to a signal failure (IA).

Well, in the light of the above, I suppose that's true...

[plymothian]

1A83 Truro to Paddington reported running over a signal that has fallen onto the tracks.

15:09 : The driver of 1A83 reported to Newbury signaller that T2865 has rotted out at the base of the signal causing the signal to fall over and foul both the Up / Down Westbury lines with a large amount of signalling cables across the line.

[ChrisB]

What was that about otevdntative maintenance, Network Rail?

[JayMac]

What was that about otevdntative maintenance, Network Rail?

What was that about what, ChrisB? 

[ChrisB]

Strewth! Preventative....

[SandTEngineer]

It had to happen.  I'm totally unsurprised by this as the NR^» (Network Rail - home page) policy since the beginning in 2002 has been not to paint signals nor renew them unless absolutely necessary (obviously missed this one) 

Here is one I used to have to look after before it finally got renewed out of necessity

Image (c)2014 SandTEngineer

[JayMac]

I was on the 1523 Taunton-Paddington service earlier today and the TM^‡(resolve) did an excellent job keeping all passengers informed of the problems ahead of us near Newbury. He explained that we may well be diverted after Westbury and went through the train reassuring passengers for Berks & Hants stations that, if it became necessary, alternative onward transport would be arranged for them. As it turned out the Up main through Newbury was reopened prior to our arrival at Westbury so 1J99 was able to stay on its booked route.

One amusing aside. Westbury was a platform down mid afternoon due to a track circuit failure. P3 out of use. Consequently we had to wait outside the station for a platform to become available. I was window hanging watching the signal at Fairwood Junction. Turns out it was one of those Ballast Activated signals. That is, as soon as the driver steps down onto the ballast from his cab the signal changes from danger to a proceed aspect. I heard him curse from two carriages back. I think his, "You Fornicating Bar Steward" (words to that effect) was loud enough to be heard in Westbury box. 

[Thatcham Crossing]

S&T^▸ (Signalling and Telegraph)....if that signal is where I think it is (judging by the background view), I'm guessing that salt water corrosion could be a factor.

Long Rock?