Weather related disruption - Christmas 2013 and New Year 2014

[infobleep]

Punctuality and cancellations will be based on whatever the TOC uploads into the database overnight. That becomes the agreed day's timetable.

I believe that is one of the reasons why realtime trains defaults to not displaying the cancelled services, but only shows the amendments that would appear in journey planners and information systems...

So if someone accidentally cancels a train during the nightly database upload but it runs, it still counts against the performance figures? I speak from the fact that after Christmas, some trains were showing as cancelled via NRE live departures but actually were running.

Interestingly my travel was more disrupted today than yesterday when yesterday they had a high winds and today rain but no speed restrictions in place on the lines I use at least.

This morning my train was 13 minutes late into Clapham Junction and left their 15 minutes late! My next train to Surbiton was 6 minutes late and tonight my train from Surbiton to Woking was 15 minutes late. They announced at the station, via an automated system, it was due to electrical power supply problem at Portsmouth. However the train that formed my service was mostly delayed between Woking and Waterloo so unless there was congestion from earlier Portsmouth services, I doubt that was the reason! The next automated message I heard just said listen to further announcements, which suggested someone realised it wasn't that. On line the only report was that my train to Woking was delayed by the preceding train. That preceding train had no reason given.

South West Train are running a revised timetable tomorrow due to expected flooding. Trains west of Salisbury only running every 2 hours and Fulwell Tunnel might flood again. Away from the trains I'll be curious to see how the River Wey through Guildford copes. Last weekend it had flooded part of Millmead [a road running beside the River]

 

[Matt Taylor]

The SWT site is saying that before work can commence some temporary roads need to be put in place plus some bridges across local streams, it also says that around 80m of embankment has subsided on both sites of the track formation. There are some secondary slips in other areas nearby but they are much smaller.

 

[thelongestroad]

Reports of flooding at Cogload Junction, between Bridgwater and Taunton

 

[hassaanhc]

Current plans for SWT for Friday 7 February:

Poor Weather Conditions - Friday 7 February

Poor weather is likely to affect our network and will impact on our ability to run trains along some routes.
To minimise disruption the following alterations will be in place on Friday 7 January:
-
West of England
A normal service will run between London Waterloo and Salisbury. Services will terminate at Salisbury.
A two hourly shuttle service will run between Salisbury and Exeter St David's.
-
The first shuttle service will run from Salisbury to Exeter St David's at 06:15.
Anadditional shuttle service will start from Yeovil Junction to Exeter St David's at 06:16.
The 20:20 London Waterloo - Exeter St David's service will run as booked
The 21:20 London Waterloo - Yeovil Junction service will run as booked.
-
Shepperton/Fulwell
Flooding is expected at Fulwell and the following trains that would normally run to/from London Waterloo to Shepperton, will finish/start at Fulwell:
-
Waterloo -Shepperton: 08:12, 08:42, 09:12, 09:42, 20:42, 21:12, 21:42, 22:12, 22:42,23:12, 23:57
Shepperton -Waterloo: 09:10, 09:40, 10:10, 10:40, 21:40, 22:10, 22:40, 23:10
A bus replacement service will be in operation.
-
If the line is not flooded, we will run services through to Shepperton as scheduled.
-
We are sorry for the disruption this will cause to you however these alterations will be put into place to ensure we can run trains safely. Thank you for your patience.

 

[TEW]

Away from the trains I'll be curious to see how the River Wey through Guildford copes. Last weekend it had flooded part of Millmead [a road running beside the River]

It flooded along there a couple of weekends ago too. Quite a few places seemed to have sandbags out this evening again.

 

[Goatboy]

Why are they only running every 2 hours to Exeter? Are they giving paths to FGW or something?

 

[philjo]

I have seen reports that the hertford Loop is blocked due to flooding between Stevenage & Hertford North.
Trains were queuing up this morning due to flooding in Potters Bar tunnel (so only 1 line was open when I got off at Potters Bar) to add to the problems with overhead line problems northbound (I think only 1 line is affected as other northbound trains are passing through)

 

[swt_passenger]

Why are they only running every 2 hours to Exeter? Are they giving paths to FGW or something?

There are alternate hourly FGW services superimposed on the normal hourly timetable because of the Whiteball tunnel work. AIUI that requires running very close to the planned timetable to make it all fit in, so it is highly likely they have reduced the SWT service further to make the overall service more reliable under conditions of speed restrictions.

This is basically similar to what used to happen prior to the Axminster re-doubling, when the route was effectively shared during FGW diversions, with FGW picking up the intermediate station calls rather than running an almost non-stop service...

 

[D1009]

Why are they only running every 2 hours to Exeter? Are they giving paths to FGW or something?

They're probably expecting problems with the River Axe west of Axminster. If the line is blocked there, running half a service will reduce the number of sets that become trapped.

 

[Saint66]

I have seen reports that the hertford Loop is blocked due to flooding between Stevenage & Hertford North.
Trains were queuing up this morning due to flooding in Potters Bar tunnel (so only 1 line was open when I got off at Potters Bar) to add to the problems with overhead line problems northbound (I think only 1 line is affected as other northbound trains are passing through)

Yep, the TL line through Elstree+Borehamwood was also affected by flooding for most of the morning.

 

[ASharpe]

How stable is the trackbed in flood conditions? First Great Western don't seem too concerned.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26084245

Anyone know where this is?
And is the signal actually working? And this train following another?

 

[swt_passenger]

How stable is the trackbed in flood conditions? First Great Western don't seem too concerned.

Surely what the video shows is travelling at exceptionally low speed as a precaution against causing damage to the embankment - in case it has been weakened by water damage?

 

[Darandio]

First Great Western don't seem too concerned.

No, of course they don't. As you can quite clearly see on the video, the train is storming through the area at full line speed. :roll:

 

[thelongestroad]

No, of course they don't. As you can quite clearly see on the video, the train is storming through the area at full line speed. :roll:

The trains were still running through there at linespeed yesterday...

 

[ainsworth74]

Was the flooding that serious yesterday? I heard on BBC Breakfast this morning that flood levels had risen overnight.

 

[Llanigraham]

Some good news for the Cambrian:
http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/News-Releases/Cambrian-Coast-Railway-Update-1fd0.aspx

 

[sonic2009]

It appears no trains are running through to Taunton now. Flooding at Bridgewater means buses are replacing trains.

 

[Zoidberg]

Some good news for the Cambrian:
http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/News-Releases/Cambrian-Coast-Railway-Update-1fd0.aspx

Good news indeed. From the linked page:

Network Rail is planning to re-open the section of Cambrian Coast railway between Dovey Junction and Barmouth next week.

The weekend weather forecast is for more storms but should this pass without major incident, then services will be running between Machynlleth and Barmouth on Monday (10th February).

The Cambrian Coast line has been closed following the unprecedented storm damage earlier this year. The railway, which runs between Dovey Junction and Pwllheli, was battered by the high tides and storm surge in the first week of January. This resulted in damage to sea defences and embankments, the loss of rail ballast to the sea and debris including rocks and boulders littering the line.

A number of locations along the line were hit and Network Rail is undertaking a phased programme to repair and re-open the line. The work schedule has been progressing well despite the continuing run of severe storms and high tides, which did cause further damage along the railway.

...

 

[oversteer]

It appears no trains are running through to Taunton now. Flooding at Bridgewater means buses are replacing trains.

Hmm if this cuts off the Castle Cary route, can FGW divert via Yeovil? That's the only remaining route into Exeter..

 

[ASharpe]

The trains were still running through there at linespeed yesterday...

Well it stopped at the signal, had it not been at danger (or broken) would the train still be going that slowly?

 

[cambsy]

FGW can run Castle Cary to Exeter via Yeovil but obviously can't serve Taunton, so Taunton cut off by train with only coach replacement now, could last all weekend with further storms coming over weekend.

 

[455driver]

Well it stopped at the signal, had it not been at danger (or broken) would the train still be going that slowly?

You seem to have all the answers so please enlighten us oh great one! :roll:

 

[Llanigraham]

Well it stopped at the signal, had it not been at danger (or broken) would the train still be going that slowly?

Perhaps NR had imposed an temporary ESR on that section of track due to the surrounding flooding?

 

[TEW]

Hmm if this cuts off the Castle Cary route, can FGW divert via Yeovil? That's the only remaining route into Exeter..

FGW are already diverting via Yeovil at the moment due to the Whitehall tunnel works. Taunton-Bridgwater is now open again anyway, albeit with Temporary Block Working due to the flood water damaging signalling equipment, or at least the risk of it damaging signalling equipment.

 

[Zoe]

Hmm if this cuts off the Castle Cary route, can FGW divert via Yeovil? That's the only remaining route into Exeter..

Castle Cary to Cogload Junction was already blocked due to flooding and FGW JourneyCheck reports that this is still the case but Bridgwater to Taunton has now reopened.

 

[D1009]

Perhaps NR had imposed an temporary ESR on that section of track due to the surrounding flooding?

I went down there on a Voyager this morning, and we were stopped and cautioned at signal DM154 which is short of the flooded section, roughly half way from Bridgwater to Cogload. After the next signal line speed was resumed.

 

[Llanigraham]

I went down there on a Voyager this morning, and we were stopped and cautioned at signal DM154 which is short of the flooded section, roughly half way from Bridgwater to Cogload. After the next signal line speed was resumed.

I guessed he was running under caution since the driver's door is open.
Helps being a signalman and knowing the Rules!!

 

[D1009]

Now looks as though Chipping Sodbury tunnel is blocked. Can't really say I'm surprised!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Castle Cary to Cogload Junction was already blocked due to flooding and FGW JourneyCheck reports that this is still the case but Bridgwater to Taunton has now reopened.

I've just left Exeter St Davids station, and Bristol has been added to the long list of places to which coaches are now running. According to RTT only the FGW Taunton - Cardiff stopping trains are running through.

 

[PHILIPE]

How stable is the trackbed in flood conditions? First Great Western don't seem too concerned.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26084245

Anyone know where this is?
And is the signal actually working? And this train following another?

See Post #2 on the "Where is this FGW HST Thread"

A poster has started a new thread on this topic.

 

[WatcherZero]

Swindon-Kemble redoubling has been put back by four months as resources have had to be diverted to repairing the coastal lines. New target completion is August rather than Easter.