2023 Delays and Cancellations

[whole diary]

[Richard Fairhurst]

So that's buses between Kingham and Oxford, although the train from Worcester goes as far as Charlbury.  I am not familiar with the geography of the area - would it be fair to guess that Charlbury station and village are well separated, and running the bus operation from Charlbury Station would be impractical? -- - here's the answer:

The Rail Replacement Coach Service does not serve Charlbury station as there is a load restriction on a local bridge. The Rail Replacement Coach service calls at Nine Acres Lane, Charlbury Village, which is a 10/15 minute walk from the station.

Charlbury station is just in the Evenlode valley below the town - it's a five-minute walk from the town centre, two minutes from the nearest houses.

The bridge with the weight restriction is the one over the River Evenlode, directly between the town and the station. It first started showing signs of wear about 10 years ago, and there's been a deliberate decision to keep the weight limit on it to prevent heavy traffic going through Charlbury (and, in particular, the tight turn at the top of the hill). In practice Oxfordshire County Council are forgiving of rail replacement buses using it, but I can see that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) wouldn't want to plan to use it regularly.

The split Charlbury/Kingham solution is quite a clever move. Others will know more than me but I also suspect trains can turn around at Charlbury but not at Kingham.

GWR's designation of the stop on Nine Acres Lane as "Charlbury Village" (it's not the first time it's been used) has caused some muttered comments locally - Charlbury is very proud of being a town!

[IndustryInsider]

You can go back from Kingham with a pilot but it involves running on the wrong line all the way to Moreton, so more complex (max 50 mph for example).

[Worcester_Passenger]

Journeycheck is reporting

15:20 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:41
15:20 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:41 has been cancelled.
This is due to a landslip.

[...]

Last Updated:15/02/2023 15:59

RealTimeTrains is showing the 15:20 from Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street as being diverted via Stroud, and just leaving Swindon.

[ChrisB]

It is going via Swindon & South Cotswolds

Disruption has been reported between London Paddington and Oxford.

The following services will be cancelled:
The 17:57 and 18:58 due to a landslip.

The 17:34 will not call at your destination due to a landslip.

[Mark A]

Video update from Network Rail on site with the miscreant bridge:

https://twitter.com/networkrailwest/status/1625909007679467521

Mark

[grahame]

Now closed only from Oxford to Hanborough - trains Hanborough to Worcester.

[bleeder4]

Bit of a novelty at the moment, as it's currently possible to travel non-stop between Worcester and Reading. The 0537 and 0610 departures from Worcester Shrub Hill this morning both ran non-stop through Cheltenham, along the Golden Valley Line, through Swindon and Didcot, until their next booked stop at Reading.

[Richard Fairhurst]

So, if the North Cotswolds Line Task Force’s assumptions are correct, this new express Worcester service will result in thousands of Worcester passengers flocking to the train and increased economic prosperity for the city, right?

…right?

[grahame]

So, if the North Cotswolds Line Task Force’s assumptions are correct, this new express Worcester service will result in thousands of Worcester passengers flocking to the train and increased economic prosperity for the city, right?

…right?

It needs to be a service that people can rely on over a considerable period, so more substantial damage will be required to keep the line closed for perhaps a period of years.   But income will be helped as an anytime return via Stroud costs £196.80 whereas via Evesham is £95.00

[Worcester_Passenger]

From JourneyCheck:

Train Cancellations

15:20 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:41 will be cancelled.
This is due to a landslip.
[...]
Last Updated:17/02/2023 14:07

17:34 London Paddington to Hereford due 20:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a landslip.
[...]
Last Updated:17/02/2023 14:11

Other Train Service Updates

15:20 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:41
Additional 15:20 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 17:41 will be diverted between Reading and Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will call additionally at Didcot Parkway, Swindon and Cheltenham Spa.
It has been previously delayed, is being further delayed between Reading and Worcester Shrub Hill and is now expected to be 26 minutes late.
This is due to damage to the overhead electric wires.
Last Updated:17/02/2023 16:38

17:34 London Paddington to Hereford due 20:26
Additional 17:34 London Paddington to Hereford due 20:26 will be diverted between Reading and Worcester Shrub Hill.
It will call additionally at Didcot Parkway, Swindon and Cheltenham Spa.
It will be delayed due to the diversion and is expected to be 34 minutes late.
This is due to a landslip.
Last Updated:17/02/2023 14:14

[ChrisB]

Yep, every weekday until the line re-opens. Two up services in the morning go that way too.

NOTE however, that tomorrow, and possibly Sunday, services are restricted again and bustitution starts at Moreton-in-Marsh to Oxford. Guessing they need more of the line to bring in equipment.

[IndustryInsider]

Or a Pilot can’t be sourced.

[ChrisB]

You may well be right....wording may be suggesting that.

From Journeycheck -

we're unfortunately unable to run services between Oxford and Moreton-in-Marsh today (18/02/2023). We're operating a train service between Worcester Shrub Hill and Moreton-in-Marsh with road transport operating from Moreton-in-Marsh calling at Kingham, Charlbury Village, Hanborough and Oxford and return.

[Richard Fairhurst]

Or a Pilot can’t be sourced.

Yes, that’s the issue.

The RRBs^▸ (Rail Replacement Bus) today were not in a great way. I will probably post more some time later but right now I need a drink…

[GBM]

.... but right now I need a drink…

yeghes da (Cornish for 'cheers')