Taunton Issues 4th September 2024

[whole diary]

[GBM]

Cancellations to services between Taunton and Exeter St Davids
Following the emergency services dealing with an incident at Taunton all lines are now open. Disruption is expected until 11:30 04/09.
Train services between Taunton and Exeter St Davids may be cancelled or delayed.
Customer Advice
The emergency services have been dealing with an incident near Taunton station. It has taken some time, owing to specialist forensic investigation taking place, but we can now run trains through the area.
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While we work to reinstate the train service it is still likely your journey will be delayed as some trains will be revised, only completing parts of their normal journeys and there will also be some cancellations as our trains and crews are not in the right place.
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We have only been able to arrange a very limited replacement transport between Taunton and Exeter St.Davids and if you are able to find your own alternative means to travel between Taunton and Exeter St.Davids you are strongly advised to.

Just wondering what happened for this train - and what type was/is it.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U24667/2024-09-04/detailed

[Witham Bobby]

Cancellations to services between Taunton and Exeter St Davids
Following the emergency services dealing with an incident at Taunton all lines are now open. Disruption is expected until 11:30 04/09.
Train services between Taunton and Exeter St Davids may be cancelled or delayed.
[SNIP]
Just wondering what happened for this train - and what type was/is it.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U24667/2024-09-04/detailed

A "Castle" HST^▸ (High Speed Train) set has been in use over the summer on Wednesdays to add a bit of variety (and possibly to keep sets busy??) on the WSR.  I am not sure, but the train referred to may be the working of this unit to Bristol, after the WSR seasonal timetable change?

[Witham Bobby]

I've just seen a Somerset County Gazette report, which carries the sad news that this morning's disruption was the result of a fatality.  A deceased person found  on the track near the station

Horrible news.  My thoughts are with the loved ones of the deceased, and with all those who had to deal with the tragic event

[TaplowGreen]

I've just seen a Somerset County Gazette report, which carries the sad news that this morning's disruption was the result of a fatality.  A deceased person found  on the track near the station

Horrible news.  My thoughts are with the loved ones of the deceased, and with all those who had to deal with the tragic event

It was grim this morning.  I was booked on the 0930 Reading to Plymouth which was cancelled along with many other services to the South West as a result.

Ended up on a CrossCountry service from Bristol and I counted myself lucky to arrive in God's own city only an hour late.

Got talking to a member of GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) staff en route who had been involved in the incident concerned and the details were truly awful.

[grahame]

... and the details were truly awful.

Far too often they are, and "just words" can't say it.

If there was one thing I or we could do - I wish there was something we could do to cut the toll of fatalities on the railway.  We have moved so much forward in terms of general "rail safety" and stats are impressive but they ignore this horrendous toll.

[Chris from Nailsea]

I've 'liked' the previous three posts on this topic - not because I actually liked their content, but because I appreciated their genuine concern for the sadly deceased person involved in this event.

Chris. 

[CyclingSid]

There is probably not a lot we can do. With economic pressures increasing going into winter the situation is likely to get worse. Not a factor the Chancellor is likely to take into account in their Autumn statement.

[grahame]

I've 'liked' the previous three posts on this topic - not because I actually liked their content, but because I appreciated their genuine concern for the sadly deceased person involved in this event.

Chris. 

I have taken the liberty of "liking" your comment, Chris, with the same logic.

There is probably not a lot we can do. With economic pressures increasing going into winter the situation is likely to get worse. Not a factor the Chancellor is likely to take into account in their Autumn statement.

I am going to differ with you, slightly, on that.  "We" are out there as passengers on the rail network and in far greater numbers than staff, and we are often located where staff are not.   As part of community rail briefings, we are alerted to look out for people at risk - not only suicidal but others too - where perhaps it takes no more than a kind word to bring them back from the brink or guide them towards help.   If it helps in even one case ...