| No trains to Marlow expected until 25 August Posted by TaplowGreen at 06:19, 23rd August 2025 |     |
Alterations to services between Bourne End and Marlow
Due to a fault with the signalling system between Bourne End and Marlow the line is closed.
Train services running to and from these stations will be terminated at and started back from Bourne End.
Disruption is expected until the end of the day on 24/08/25.
| Re: No trains to Marlow expected until 25 August Posted by grahame at 07:20, 23rd August 2025 | |
Alterations to services between Bourne End and Marlow
Due to a fault with the signalling system between Bourne End and Marlow the line is closed.
Train services running to and from these stations will be terminated at and started back from Bourne End. Disruption is expected until the end of the day on 24/08/25.
Customer Advice
We have taxis in place to operate between Bourne End and Marlow, connecting out of trains from Maidenhead. Taxis will also operate between Marlow and Bourne End approximately 10 minutes EARLIER than the train they are replacing with a view to connectig into trains from Bourne End to Maidenhead. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee connections with train services.
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We're sorry for the delay to your journey.
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We will update this message with more information when we have it.
Further Information
An update will follow within the next 2 hours.
Customers are requested to check the stations Onward Travel Information poster and wait for replacement road transport at the designated stop. Customers are advised that the replacement road transport may run later than the advertised train times owing to the additional time taken by road between stations and the time required for loading and unloading at each stop.
If you require further information please speak to our staff at the station or on the train, use the Customer Help Point, message us on X @GWRHelp or call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950.
If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can claim Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
Last Updated:23/08/2025 07:00
Due to a fault with the signalling system between Bourne End and Marlow the line is closed.
Train services running to and from these stations will be terminated at and started back from Bourne End. Disruption is expected until the end of the day on 24/08/25.
Customer Advice
We have taxis in place to operate between Bourne End and Marlow, connecting out of trains from Maidenhead. Taxis will also operate between Marlow and Bourne End approximately 10 minutes EARLIER than the train they are replacing with a view to connectig into trains from Bourne End to Maidenhead. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee connections with train services.
-
We're sorry for the delay to your journey.
-
We will update this message with more information when we have it.
Further Information
An update will follow within the next 2 hours.
Customers are requested to check the stations Onward Travel Information poster and wait for replacement road transport at the designated stop. Customers are advised that the replacement road transport may run later than the advertised train times owing to the additional time taken by road between stations and the time required for loading and unloading at each stop.
If you require further information please speak to our staff at the station or on the train, use the Customer Help Point, message us on X @GWRHelp or call National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950.
If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can claim Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
Last Updated:23/08/2025 07:00
I don't know the details of the "signalling issue" ... but I muse that modern technology adds to how long things take to fix when there's a problem. I also muse as to whether other modern constraints prevent a unit being locked on the branch-off-a-branch with one train in operation on it, stop and proceed at crossings if necessary, and passengers transferring around the platform end at Bourne End.
| Re: No trains to Marlow expected until 25 August Posted by TaplowGreen at 08:30, 23rd August 2025 | |
It's been ongoing since yesterday morning.
| Re: No trains to Marlow expected until 25 August Posted by Ralph Ayres at 10:42, 23rd August 2025 | |
I don't know the details of the "signalling issue" ... but I muse that modern technology adds to how long things take to fix when there's a problem. I also muse as to whether other modern constraints prevent a unit being locked on the branch-off-a-branch with one train in operation on it, stop and proceed at crossings if necessary, and passengers transferring around the platform end at Bourne End.
That's how they do it during rush hours to allow a more frequent service. Trouble is it relies on having a second train and crew which may well not be available or cost-effective at short notice. They also probably don't want to be worrying about trains using that section of line while fixing the fault (track circuit, axle counter?).Still no service expected until Monday morning, which does seem a very long time. I suppose it's possible that some of the technology is non-standard so not an off-the-shelf component, though I don't think they still use a single line token machine where something might break and need welding!
| Re: No trains to Marlow expected until 25 August Posted by ChrisB at 18:26, 23rd August 2025 | |
BBQ Sunday, don't forget!
| Re: No trains to Marlow expected until 25 August Posted by Electric train at 07:02, 24th August 2025 | |
I don't know the details of the "signalling issue" ... but I muse that modern technology adds to how long things take to fix when there's a problem. I also muse as to whether other modern constraints prevent a unit being locked on the branch-off-a-branch with one train in operation on it, stop and proceed at crossings if necessary, and passengers transferring around the platform end at Bourne End.
The Maidenhead - Bourne End is Token Block system using BR-W Tyers No9 tokens (each token is engraved with the section name) which need to be released at the commencement of the section and placed and the end of the section in a token exchange machine at each end of the line, this clears the signals / locks points so only one train is in the section (Maidenhead - Bourne End) possession of the token is the Drives authority
The Bourne End - Marlow is controlled by a Train staff system the Train Staff (this is basically a keyed rod ladled with the line name) is released from a ground frame at Bourne End the release of the Train Staff locks the points at platform 1 Bourne End this traps the train in that section, the removal of the Train Staff allows the Token system on the Maidenhead - Bourne End section to allow and train to enter that section and that how the peak hour service operates.
The normal day time service requires the token to placed in the token machine at Bourne End and the Train Staff to be removed and the reveres for the return.
It is a Victorian system, very reliable in terms of safety of trains and in performance, the systems is operated multiple times a day every day of the week.
It is possible given its uniqueness in the area the local Signal Maintenance team may not have all the spare parts or give that it is a very mechanical system some parts may need repairs done in the workshop
| Re: No trains to Marlow expected until 25 August Posted by Oxonhutch at 09:35, 24th August 2025 | |
They should contact the local heritage railways around them. They might have spare parts they need right away.
| Re: No trains to Marlow expected until 25 August Posted by grahame at 09:59, 24th August 2025 | |
They should contact the local heritage railways around them. They might have spare parts they need right away.
In olden days, a work around may have been found by using a pilotman. Of course, we don't know what the problem is, and these days it would need to be a pilotperson.
| Re: No trains to Marlow expected until 25 August Posted by Oxonhutch at 10:32, 24th August 2025 | |
... and these days it would need to be a pilotperson.
The only job on the railway where they must leave the railway premises immediately that their shift finishes [and go to the pub].
The last part might not actually be in the rule book
| Re: No trains to Marlow expected until 25 August Posted by grahame at 10:44, 24th August 2025 | |
... and these days it would need to be a pilotperson.
The only job on the railway where they must leave the railway premises immediately that their shift finishes
I can see that could be a severe issue if they finish in Bourne End and aren't allowed on the train back to Maidenhead. Don't suppose any could afford to live in Marlow!
| Re: No trains to Marlow expected until 25 August Posted by Electric train at 17:37, 24th August 2025 | |
They should contact the local heritage railways around them. They might have spare parts they need right away.
In olden days, a work around may have been found by using a pilotman. Of course, we don't know what the problem is, and these days it would need to be a pilotperson.
The last time there was a problem with the token machine a few years ago a Network Rail Pilotman / woman was used. the problem is not the Token system when I used the train Friday the Driver did the token exchange so its either the Train Staff and / or points at Bourne End for Marlow branch
| Re: No trains to Marlow expected until 25 August Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:37, 24th August 2025 | |
...Don't suppose any could afford to live in Marlow! ...
My paternal parents' bungalow in Bourne End, from 'rightmove': https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/sl8/west-ridge.html
CfN
| Re: No trains to Marlow expected until 25 August Posted by ChrisB at 19:02, 24th August 2025 | |
Line reported open by GWR at 1531 on Twitter
