Landslip at Hook, no trains from Basingstoke towards London

[whole diary]

[paul7575]

Looks bad, at least a weeks closure expected:

“A large landslip in Hampshire has left one of the tracks of the main line from London to Basingstoke hanging in mid-air, one other track damaged, and huge disruption expected for customers.

The slip, on an embankment to the northeast of Hook station, has left only two tracks of the four-track railway passable by trains, with both tracks designed to be used by London-bound trains only.

South Western Railway customers are advised to check before they travel until advised otherwise, as there will be major changes to train services for some time.

The clear guidance for tomorrow (Monday 16th January 2023) is to not travel from south or west of Basingstoke towards London, or from London towards the south or west of Basingstoke.”

https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/video-major-disruption-expected-after-landslip-at-hook-hampshire-damages-main-line-from-waterloo-to-basingstoke-southampton-and-the-west

[Timmer]

Indeed, that is by no means a quick fix. At least a week, possibly more.

Passengers on SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) have had a torrid time of late and next week will be no better.

[grahame]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

Network Rail said it was working on designs for the work needed to repair the railway, which would then give a clearer idea of timescales involved.

It added that a plan to provide journey options was set to be published "as soon as possible".

Is there any chance of running westbound trains on one of the eastbound lines?

Otherwise, looking at electric services outbound Woking - Guildford - Havant - Fareham - Southampton, and Salisbury services diverted to Basingstoke Reading rather than Waterloo.    Remind me why Alton to Winchester was closed.

[Timmer]

Is there any chance of running westbound trains on one of the eastbound lines?

I believe that’s the plan yes.

Question is, is it signalled for bi-directional running? I’m not expert on signalling on the SWML^▸ (South Western Mail Line), but as it’s a four track railway between London to Basingstoke, would there be the need for it?

[TonyN]

Question is, is it signalled for bi-directional running?

Looking at This https://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/signalling/swml2 The answer would seem to be no.

Even keeping the up lines open will be a challange the network rail pictures show the signalling cables have fallen down the bank and are now stretched.

[Timmer]

Even keeping the up lines open will be a challange the network rail pictures show the signalling cables have fallen down the bank and are now stretched.

That was my thought too that it might be optimistic to be able to operate on the two up lines. We shall soon see if they can and what services they are able to run.

[CyclingSid]

Salisbury services diverted to Basingstoke rather than Waterloo.

Maybe even to Reading, as they were on Saturday with the Woking engineering works.

[grahame]

Natonal Rail ...

A major landslip in the Hook area has closed the lines between Woking and Basingstoke. Severe disruption is expected to continue until at least the end of service on Sunday 22 January.

Passengers are advised against all but essential travel on services which would usually pass through the area. This includes services between London and Basingstoke, Bournemouth, Southampton, Weymouth, Salisbury, and Exeter.

Trains will not be able to serve Hook, Winchfield or Fleet stations until further notice. Please do not attempt to travel to or from these stations by train as you will not be able to do so.

The wider South Western Railway network is operating as usual (such as suburban London services and those between London and Portsmouth via Guildford, Reading or Windsor), however these services may be busier than usual as a result of this incident.

[grahame]

Salisbury services diverted to Basingstoke rather than Waterloo.

Maybe even to Reading, as they were on Saturday with the Woking engineering works.

What I meant to say, thank you. Original corrected.

[Timmer]

It never rains but it pours in the case of the SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) network. Look at this one:
https://twitter.com/NetworkRailWssx/status/1614911991671394306

SWR Journeycheck www.journeycheck.com/swr currently has 14 line issues listed this morning. Too many to list here. Network Rail are really up against it so with so many infrastructure issues caused by the recent weather.

[JayMac]

Most services on the West of England line today, and no doubt for the rest of this week at least, are indeed running to and from Reading via Basingstoke.

[paul7575]

Is there any chance of running westbound trains on one of the eastbound lines?

I believe that’s the plan yes.

Question is, is it signalled for bi-directional running? I’m not expert on signalling on the SWML^▸ (South Western Mail Line), but as it’s a four track railway between London to Basingstoke, would there be the need for it?

Looking at the opentraintimes maps, (link in post #4 by TonyN), I just “tracked” 1W57 through the area, and it effectively just jumped from Farnborough up platform to signal 406 on the up main just east of Basingstoke. Along that complete line of asterisks on the map.  

So AIUI^▸ ('as I understand it') that total absence of indications suggests emergency working over that entire distance..

I still haven’t worked out what’s happening at Farnborough to allow down trains to get to the up fast, is it a complicated shunt move, ie DS to DF reverse to UF?

Paul

[Timmer]

I still haven’t worked out what’s happening at Farnborough to allow down trains to get to the up fast, is it a complicated shunt move, ie DS to DF reverse to UF?

Someone mentioned last night on UKRailforums that reversal would need to be involved.

[stuving]

I still haven’t worked out what’s happening at Farnborough to allow down trains to get to the up fast, is it a complicated shunt move, ie DS to DF reverse to UF?

Someone mentioned last night on UKRailforums that reversal would need to be involved.

1Z07 has just done such a move from P2 - DF - P1. 3Z88 preceded it down the UF, but that was not for passengers - it looks like an RHTT^▸ (Rail Head Treatment Train).

[Henry]

 Not the first time this has happened at Hook.
 
 Seem to remember in the 1990's a landslip on the upside disrupted services.