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Ashford Disruption
- Thread starter leshuttle
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It's very chaotic down in east Kent tonight. There was a bad lightning storm around Folkestone and Dover this evening and the results are affecting Southeastern and Eurostar services.
Lightning struck the substation at Dollands Moor, around Continental Junction causing a very bad fire which has severely damaged the substation. This is the main issue affecting Eurostar services because of no power to the overheads through Ashford and track closure for emergency services. Job has pretty much stopped. One Eurostar service from Brussels, 9161, came through the tunnel and reached Ashford before being told they'd head back to Brussels. They went back through the tunnel only for control to realise there was a possesion in Brussels tonight so going back wouldn't be possible. They then pondered stabling overnight at Lille and at one point, it seemed a loco was being sourced to haul this service onto HS1 and onto London. Other services are less fortunate, with some coming through the tunnel before going back through to Calais and Lille. A fair few services backing up on the French side trying to head to England, with some Paris originating services being turned around. Reports that lines could reopen in an hour or so though.
On the Southeastern side, there have also been a few fires or incidents in other substations, with reports that one at Dover was hit too, although I can't confirm that one at the moment. There's been a loss of signalling at Folkestone East and there was earlier, I believe, a unit stuck around Folkestone. No service currently from Ashford to Dover.
A very hectic night for all concerned!
Lightning struck the substation at Dollands Moor, around Continental Junction causing a very bad fire which has severely damaged the substation. This is the main issue affecting Eurostar services because of no power to the overheads through Ashford and track closure for emergency services. Job has pretty much stopped. One Eurostar service from Brussels, 9161, came through the tunnel and reached Ashford before being told they'd head back to Brussels. They went back through the tunnel only for control to realise there was a possesion in Brussels tonight so going back wouldn't be possible. They then pondered stabling overnight at Lille and at one point, it seemed a loco was being sourced to haul this service onto HS1 and onto London. Other services are less fortunate, with some coming through the tunnel before going back through to Calais and Lille. A fair few services backing up on the French side trying to head to England, with some Paris originating services being turned around. Reports that lines could reopen in an hour or so though.
On the Southeastern side, there have also been a few fires or incidents in other substations, with reports that one at Dover was hit too, although I can't confirm that one at the moment. There's been a loss of signalling at Folkestone East and there was earlier, I believe, a unit stuck around Folkestone. No service currently from Ashford to Dover.
A very hectic night for all concerned!
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That's BBC not checking geography (not unusual)!
Eurostar says:
Due to infrastructure problems near Ashford trains 9054, 9059 and 9063 are returning to their origin stations, info to follow on 9161
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Latest is that 9161 (ex Brussels), 9063 and 9059 (ex Paris) will be proceeding to London shortly when the line reopens in an hour or so. Not sure what's happening with 9054 (ex St Pancras to Paris), but it's sitting outside of Ashford currently.
UPDATE: 9059 was let through first and is currently 208 minutes late through Ebbsfleet. 9063 now through the tunnel and around 175 late through Ashford. 9169 should have left shortly after and should be coming though the tunnel now, for the third time this evening.
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