Weather updates, from across our area - merged posts

[whole diary]

[AMLAG]

Rather surprisingly with the main line closed between Plymouth and N.Abbot from approx 1130 Sunday until early today ‘due flooding between Ivybridge and Totnes’ ( at again ? S. Brent rail over river Avon Bdge with an unresolved river bed scour problem ? ) that two NR^» (Network Rail - home page) Engineers trains were allowed to run through operated by the Freightliner FOC^▸ (Freight Operating Company, or possibly 'free of charge', depending on context); the 1500 Goonbarrow ( ex Nqy) to Westbury and the 1007 Westbury to Goonbarrow (for Nqy ).

[Bob_Blakey]

I reckon that Network Rail (NR^» (Network Rail - home page)) and the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) now need to draw up and rapidly implement a plan to deal with the catalogue of obvious flooding blackspots. Different solutions will be required depending on the local topography but Cowley Bridge Junction is an excellent example of what can be achieved if the issues are addressed properly.

Tunnels and/or cuttings prone to repeated flooding could be fitted with pumping systems to move the water elsewhere via pipelines. Sites where pooling is an issue could be provided with larger culverts and/or underground storage tanks. Sections of line running on flood plains could be protected by the installation of sheet piling which, if necessary, would allow the track level to be raised (with the obvious considerations regarding bridge clearances).

But.....who's going to pay for it?!

[Trowres]

I am pondering over the accuracy and tone of the messaging being provided about train services. This from an update 11:44 today:

London Paddington - Swansea

Train services between London Paddington and South Wales are subject to severe disruption due to flooding. The level of disruption combined with shortages of train crew and planned engineering works means that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are unable to guarantee that any journey on this route will remain feasible this evening and intending customers are strongly advised to amend their travel plans to travel today or Tuesday 26th November.

Trains are only running between London Paddington and Swindon, they are unable to divert via alternative routes as these are both closed by flooding. Great Western Railway are unable to offer alternative transport between Swindon and Bristol Parkway. You are advised not to attempt to travel along this route.

The first paragraph is confusing and looks like the result of editing yesterday's text. The second paragraph is inaccurate as, at the time of the update, South Wales services were running in both directions via Chippenham.

Bearing mind that conditions on the roads aren't exactly fun, with closures on the A36 (power lines down in addition to roadworks) and congestion on the A350 / A361, it might be an idea to (suitably nuanced) point out that trains on the Bristol-Southampton line are running a tolerably useful service. ( I was going to include the Melksham line (gasp) but at this moment the train's in the platform at Westbury, apparently waiting for a conductor).

[grahame]

... that trains on the Bristol-Southampton line are running a tolerably useful service. ( I was going to include the Melksham line (gasp) but at this moment the train's in the platform at Westbury, apparently waiting for a conductor).

Yep . that's not uncommon with that train ... as I understand it, the crew comes off the London to the South West semi-fast and if anything goes wrong with / delays the trains on the main line knock on to the TransWilts, even thought (staff excepted) only a small proportion of people come in via from or viaPewsey and head out to or via Melksham.

[Trowres]

Confirming that the 12:17 Westbury-Swindon was cancelled, and its return working, due to "an issue with the train crew".

Rather short notice, that.

[Mark A]

Hmm, a friend needs Bath Spa to Plymouth and back, tomorrow Tuesday 26th November... looks as if they'll need to drive it though.

Mark

[TaplowGreen]

.......at a time like this? There genuinely isn't a single other person who could take over?

[grahame]

And for tomorrow (26th November)  ...

We promised to keep you updated on the impact of Storm Bert on our services. Network Rail and GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) teams have been working throughout the day to clear and inspect the lines, opening them for service where possible.
 
We are now able to operate a limited service on most of our routes, including from South Wales, Bristol and the Cotswolds to London. Our South Wales services must operate via a diversionary route due to flooding between Bristol Parkway and Swindon, meaning journeys are taking longer.
 
Flooding is still blocking the line between Bedwyn and Taunton, meaning there are no long-distance services between Devon & Cornwall and London. Customers are advised not to travel on this route; we do have ticket acceptance on SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) from Exeter St Davids to London Waterloo for customers who do need to travel.
 
Local services in Devon & Cornwall are now operating with the exception of the Barnstaple and Okehampton lines which remain closed. Our Night Riviera sleeper service will not operate tonight or tomorrow (Tuesday 26 Nov).
 
We will maintain a reduced service on our long-distance routes tomorrow (Tuesday 26 Nov). Additional rain is forecast for tomorrow evening which could result further flooding of the railway at certain key locations. As a result customers are advised to complete journeys tomorrow by 1900.
 
Tickets dated for today (Mon 25) can be tomorrow and on Wednesday 27 Nov, or customers can claim a full fee-free refund. For the latest information and to check journeys, customers should visit www.gwr.com/check.
 
Thank you for your patience and support, and if there’s anything we do to help, please do get in touch.

[Trowres]

Flooding is still blocking the line between Bedwyn and Taunton, meaning there are no long-distance services between Devon & Cornwall and London

Freight trains have been running between the Mendips, Westbury, Bedwyn and beyond since about 11:00 on 25th. OK, so Castle Cary-Taunton remains closed, but it would have been nice to have had some service for the intermediate stations, or even a message that Pewsey would have zero service all day, Monday.

Apart from the quoted line above, most communications have referred to services between London Paddington and Penzance ... not a mention of Paignton.

I note that with flooding at Lydney, TfW^▸ (Transport for Wales) managed to put together a service as far as Chepstow. Perhaps over the border priorities are different?

[broadgage]

With "once in a century" floods now occurring every few years, and a reasonable expectation that this will get worse and not better, the railway needs to get better prepared. Or in more detail-

When a new bridge is required over a rail line, at LEAST one meter EXTRA clearance should be provided under the bridge in order that the track can be raised in future without altering the bridge.

When a platform is being worked on or replaced, it should be raised by the maximum permitted height relative to the train, in order that the track can be later raised without altering the platform.

New or refurbished station buildings should be designed to be flood resistant, hard floor and wall coverings that can be pressure washed rather than replaced after a flood. High level electrics. High level shelfs upon which can be placed IT equipment and other valuables when flooding threatens.

Substations for traction or domestic purposes to be located on plinths a meter above the worst previous flood.

[chuffed]

And stop building on flood plains. The clues in the name....

[Electric train]

With "once in a century" floods now occurring every few years, and a reasonable expectation that this will get worse and not better, the railway needs to get better prepared. Or in more detail-

When a new bridge is required over a rail line, at LEAST one meter EXTRA clearance should be provided under the bridge in order that the track can be raised in future without altering the bridge.

When a platform is being worked on or replaced, it should be raised by the maximum permitted height relative to the train, in order that the track can be later raised without altering the platform.

New or refurbished station buildings should be designed to be flood resistant, hard floor and wall coverings that can be pressure washed rather than replaced after a flood. High level electrics. High level shelfs upon which can be placed IT equipment and other valuables when flooding threatens.

Substations for traction or domestic purposes to be located on plinths a meter above the worst previous flood.

All great ideas and they are adopted where possible.

Although station building built so the can be pressure washed would be very clinical in there look.

Elevating electrical equipment is done based on flood risk where possible, although its not just the railways own infrastructure that gets wiped out in floods.

Nature can be defended to a point of cost .................... simple question

How much is the travelling public willing to pay in terms of rail fares to get to 100% flood defence

[ChrisB]

When a platform is being worked on or replaced, it should be raised by the maximum permitted height relative to the train, in order that the track can be later raised without altering the platform.

So much for level boarding though, eh?

[Red Squirrel]

I have edited the subject of this topic to clarify that the rain event is Storm Bert

[Mark A]

Dawlish lifts: dead again until further notice allegedly.

As are the lifts at Exeter St Davids. Does Exeter deploy the barrow crossing when that happens?

Mark