Signal failures. floods ... and now staff shortages

[whole diary]

[grahame]

19:40 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa due 21:32 This train will be cancelled.
This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.
Additional Information:
Replacent road transport will operate from Melksham to Chippenham. Message Received :23/12/2012 18:44

I've highlighted that one as it's the TransWilts.   Next train is 07:20 tomorrow, and a service where it's not just a question of dropping back to the train behind or inserting extra stops. 

There are no less that 9 Portsmouth - Cardiff (and vice versa) services running a shorter route tonight because of staff shortages, include some severe trims like a Portsmouth - Cardiff cut back just Bristol - Cardiff.  Two complete cancellations too.

[grahame]

And this morning - cancelled due to staff shortage

05:49 Westbury to Portsmouth Harbour due 07:45
06:19 Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff Central due 07:20
06:24 Bristol Parkway to Tiverton Parkway due 07:50

I make that at least three crews down (i.e. those are not the same train going back and forth) ... let's see how the day unfolds.

Moving to "Portsmouth / Cardiff" board as this is a wider issue than TransWilts

[Chris from Nailsea]

From First Great Western JourneyCheck:

Line problem: between Portsmouth Harbour and Westbury.
Owing to a member of train crew being unavailable between Portsmouth Harbour and Westbury fewer trains are able to run on all lines.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or terminated at and started back from Westbury at short notice. All stations between Westbury and Portsmouth Harbour will not be served. An estimate for the resumption of normal services will be provided as soon as the problem has been fully assessed.
South West Trains and Southern Railway services are conveying passengers between Portsmouth Harbour and Southampton Central via Fareham in both directions until further notice. Arrangements have been made for First Great Western rail tickets to be accepted for these journeys.
Replacement road transport services are conveying passengers between Southampton Central and Westbury via Salisbury in both directions until further notice. Arrangements have been made for First Great Western rail tickets to be accepted for these journeys.
Message Received: 31/12/2012 15:03

[devon_metro]

My thanks to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) for indirectly affecting my afternoon plans. Happy new year! 

[Southern Stag]

Problems around Bristol today for FGW^▸ (First Great Western) because of changes to the cab to signaller radio systems. The NRN^▸ (National Radio Network (as used outside the wider London area where CSR predominates)) (National Radio Network) radio system was decommissioned across most of the FGW area at 0500 on 31/12/12 leaving only the new GSM-R^▸ (Global System for Mobile communications - Railway. A simple mobile phone that has been fitted to the turbos to allow them to operate on lines that are not covered by the cab secure radio (CSR). This allows the Network Rail control centre to send simple STOP messages to the driver or the driver to contact the controller in emergency only. When this system is in operation a guard must be provided when in passenger operation.) (Global Standard for Mobile Communications-Railway) system, which as of today, trains must use. (Unless they are fitted with and operating in an area equipped for CSR^▸ (Cab Secure Radio) (Cab Secure Radio)). The frequencies current used by the NRN system are being sold off for other uses which required the shut down of the system now, when in reality the railway probably wasn't ready for it. The problem for FGW on West services was a lack of available drivers trained in the operation of the new GSM-R system. As of today unless the driver is trained in the operation of GSM-R the service is unable to operate, previously the old NRN system provided a means of emergency communication.