What does an 'operational incident' actually mean?

GWR 158

Sr. Member

Posts: 159

What does an 'operational incident' actually mean?

« on: December 24, 2021, 21:35:03 »

Merry Christmas everybody.
Just saw on RTT^» that the London Paddington-Carmarthen service is terminating at Swansea due to an operation incident. What does an operational incident actually mean? What could have gone wrong?


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grahame

Administrator
Hero Member

Posts: 40802

Re: What does an 'operational incident' actually mean?

« Reply #1 on: December 24, 2021, 22:16:43 »

Quote from: GWR^▸ 158 on December 24, 2021, 21:35:03

Also reports

Quote

This service was cancelled between Swansea and Carmarthen due to a problem at the depot (MU^▸ ).

from https://wiki.openraildata.com/index.php/Delay_Attribution_Guide

Quote

MU Depot operating problem

Something to do with having to take the whole 10 cars into Maliphant at one go? Perhaps lack of shunt staff later on when the five on to Carmarthen got back?


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broadgage

Transport Scholar
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Posts: 5410

Re: What does an 'operational incident' actually mean?

« Reply #2 on: December 26, 2021, 17:41:42 »

I suspect that "operational incident" is often code for various various types of "own goal" that the railway do not wish to give details about because so doing would make them look [even more] silly.

Examples could include, Sending a driver without the required route knowledge to complete the journey, perhaps forgetting to arrange relief en-route.
Sending an electric train for a route not electrified throughout.
Failing to unlock the station in time for the first train, or locking it before the last train.
Forgetting to refuel a train.
Forgetting to book road transport.


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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^▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.

jamestheredengine

Transport Scholar
Hero Member

Posts: 302

Re: What does an 'operational incident' actually mean?

« Reply #3 on: December 27, 2021, 20:43:03 »

Quote from: GWR^▸ 158 on December 24, 2021, 21:35:03

My guess would be that they've put a 9-car unit on it and still not moved the starter signal at Carmarthen about 70ft nearer the points.


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