Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2024

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading

Due to a problem currently under investigation between London Paddington and Reading all lines are blocked.

Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed or terminated at Reading. Disruption is expected until 18:30 02/01.

Customer Advice

Network Rail are currently investigating an issue with the overhead wires between London Paddington and Slough, which means at present, trains are unable to run between Paddington and Reading.

Trains heading towards London Paddington will be delayed or cancelled at Reading.

[NickB]

Looks proper bust

[TaplowGreen]

Nothing moving between Didcot & Oxford either - tree on the line.

[a-driver]

Nothing moving between Didcot & Oxford either - tree on the line.

Tree on top of a freight train to be exact.

[stuving]

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have this about Reading -Gatwick:

Due to a tree blocking the railway between Wokingham and Guildford the line is blocked. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Train services between Reading and Gatwick Airport via Guildford and Redhill have been suspended.

Looking at Traksy, I reckon that's a significant underestimate of the number of trees (and the odd gazebo or trampoline) involved. I've  never seen so many lines blocked at once. SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) have this to say about their services, life in general, and how sometimes it just isn't fair:

Due to high winds leading to multiple trees and other obstructions blocking the railway across the network, please do not attempt to travel until further notice.
There are at least seven trees down and a roof on our tracks, so we have had to suspend services south and west of Woking, south of Guildford and west of Staines.
Teams are working hard to clear the lines as soon as possible, but we are expecting extensive disruption throughout the evening.
If you are currently travelling with us, you can arrange your own taxis to complete your journey and claim this back from our Customer Services Team. To claim a refund, you will need:
Full contact details.
The time and date of your journey.
The stations you travelled to and from.
A description of the series of events that took place.
Copies of your train tickets and taxi receipt.

[IndustryInsider]

Was extremely gusty earlier - only for a couple of hours - but I'm not surprised it's brought multiple trees down.

[TaplowGreen]

Nothing moving between Didcot & Oxford either - tree on the line.

Tree on top of a freight train to be exact.

Ouch.

Apparently some of the problems were caused by a tent on the line at Slough......odd time and place to go camping.

[stuving]

Apparently some of the problems were caused by a tent on the line at Slough......odd time and place to go camping.

Not if you can fly there, surely?

[CyclingSid]

Was extremely gusty earlier - only for a couple of hours - but I'm not surprised it's brought multiple trees down.

And with saturated ground there is less support for the trees root system.

[TaplowGreen]

Met Office have issued a yellow severe weather warning for rain across the whole region from midday Thursday to 0300 Friday.....doesn't bode well

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2024-01-04&id=dc5299a0-b2b4-47c3-a850-d392a7b1aca4

[grahame]

Met Office have issued a yellow severe weather warning for rain across the whole region from midday Thursday to 0300 Friday.....doesn't bode well

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2024-01-04&id=dc5299a0-b2b4-47c3-a850-d392a7b1aca4

Is there a hosepipe ban to be expected later this year  ...

[IndustryInsider]

Met Office have issued a yellow severe weather warning for rain across the whole region from midday Thursday to 0300 Friday.....doesn't bode well

There must be very high ground water levels in many places.  That’s the worst kind of flooding for the railway.  Remember the lengthy disruption between Twyford and Maidenhead of ten or so years ago?  Electrical cabinets/equipment was all elevated as a result of that one.

[ellendune]

Met Office have issued a yellow severe weather warning for rain across the whole region from midday Thursday to 0300 Friday.....doesn't bode well

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2024-01-04&id=dc5299a0-b2b4-47c3-a850-d392a7b1aca4

Is there a hosepipe ban to be expected later this year  ...

For the far SW of England, Wales and the South Midlands part of our area where water is stored in reservoirs in the winter for use all the year round - that remains a possibility if we have a very hot dry summer.  However for much of our area that is supplied with groundwater the groundwater levels are very high and it usually requires a multi-year drought to cause problems. 

[TaplowGreen]

Have to say given today's severe weather forecast for heavy  rain throughout the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) region & Southern England (now expanded into the Midlands) I'm surprised  there's no "check before you travel" type message on Journeycheck?

[jamestheredengine]

Met Office have issued a yellow severe weather warning for rain across the whole region from midday Thursday to 0300 Friday.....doesn't bode well

There must be very high ground water levels in many places.  That’s the worst kind of flooding for the railway.  Remember the lengthy disruption between Twyford and Maidenhead of ten or so years ago?  Electrical cabinets/equipment was all elevated as a result of that one.

Urgh. Sounds like I should stop watching Traksy for Chipping Sodbury to dry out at this rate...