More bad news for travellers between Salisbury and Exeter

[whole diary]

[Alan Pettitt]

I was aiming to catch the 0559 this morning (Monday 5th) from Axminster to Exeter having changed my plans somewhat due to the new "Reliable Timetable". Not quite reliable enough though, first westbound train of the new timetable, cancelled.

[JayMac]

From a quick scan of RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) it looks like things ran relatively well yesterday (05/09/2022) under the emergency timetable.

Likewise today. The additional engineering allowances have certainly helped. There's now a TSR^▸ (Temporary Speed Restriction) between Templecombe and Gillingham Tunnel too. Noticed that as I boarded the 1427 this afternoon (06/09)

[bradshaw]

Looking at yesterday, it seems that the engineering allowance between Crewkerne and Yeovil meant that trains still took only 9 minutes between the stations rather than the 15 allowed.

[JayMac]

When you're running an emergency timetable the last thing you need is a cocking idiot HGV driver who doesn't know the height of his load.

Bridge strike Templecombe. Whilst the line was reopened fairly promptly (within 1 hour) the knock on effects to train running will last well into the evening.

It's often just 3 or 6 points and a small fine for these sorts of driving offences. It should be a ban as a minimum.

[bobm]

Ha. You should worry. Round here motorists can’t get back to their driveways tonight due to unannounced broadband works.  They can leave but to get back they need to drive the wrong way down a one way street!

[JayMac]

Arrived back in Templecombe 8 minutes early tonight! Wowzers! 2149 versus 2157.

Yes, that's against the emergency timetable, and after a 14 minute wait at Gillingham, but I was pleased. I was able to pop into the Co-op to grab a few essentials before it shut at 10pm. You know the sort of thing - alcohol, tobacco, caffeine.

There was a bit of a slalom course between the station approach and the High St though. Recovery of the bridge bashing HGV was still ongoing. Whilst the railway quickly reopened (praise be that the MOM^▸ (Mobile Operations Manager) was already in the area this afternoon) the main road through Templecombe (A357) is still closed as of 10pm. As I left the Co-op, the damaged trailer and its HIAB lifter crane were just being driven away. However, the bash had severed the HIAB's hydraulic lines, spilling its hydraulic oil all over the road. This was still being cleaned up. I spoke with the site supervisor who said they hoped to be done by midnight.

Due to the proximity of a watercourse they've also had Environmental Health on site. They're returning tomorrow to check the culvert that runs under the road and railway. If there's any pollution that will no doubt add to the driver and his employer's woes.

[grahame]

Arrived back in Templecombe 8 minutes early tonight! Wowzers! 2149 versus 2157.

Yes, that's against the emergency timetable, and after a 14 minute wait at Gillingham, but I was pleased. I was able to pop into the Co-op to grab a few essentials before it shut at 10pm. You know the sort of thing - alcohol, tobacco, caffeine.

So let's get this right - you're drinking tonight because your train was early?

[JayMac]

So let's get this right - you're drinking tonight because your train was early?

Isn't that reason enough for a drink or two? Damn rare occurrence in these parts of late! Cheers!

To be fair, there was Finn food, bread, milk and bacon too. Breakfast sorted for the pup and I without having to pop round to the corner shop first thing.

[grahame]

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Y66678/2022-09-06/detailed#allox_id=0

I took a look at some examples on Real Time Trains ... the above being yesterday's 10:20 Waterloo to Exeter, due there at 14:42  and it arrived on time.   And yet it was 43 minutes late off Salisbury.  Is this a record amount of time for a scheduled passenger train to recover en route?

[rogerpatenall]

Reading the above prompts me to throw in an (almost) unrelated question. When did Buckhorn Weston Tunnel become Gillingham Tunnel? And was any reason given?

[JayMac]

Reading the above prompts me to throw in an (almost) unrelated question. When did Buckhorn Weston Tunnel become Gillingham Tunnel? And was any reason given?

Since at least December 2009 according to Network Rail's Wessex Sectional Appendix:


EDIT: I've found a document from 1963 where the tunnel is also called Gillingham Tunnel. It would appear that this has always been its official name. Possibly with the (Dorset) modifier in the past.

[stuving]

Reading the above prompts me to throw in an (almost) unrelated question. When did Buckhorn Weston Tunnel become Gillingham Tunnel? And was any reason given?

It was always called Gillingham Tuinnel in news reports, right back to 1846. That was of course several years before it was built, and those reports would have been quoting from company statements or railway bills.

[bradshaw]

SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) report on Twitter that the Line is blocked between Wimple and Cranbrook due to safety inspection of track.

[bradshaw]

Looking at RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) for this week, 19th onwards, it seems the full timetable has been restored.
No doubt this will be discussed at the SERUG agm on the 22nd. I should be there.

[infoman]

BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) south west local news is showing some film footage of the honiton tunnel construction site,available for 24 hours only on i-player.