Landslip between Banbury and Leamington Spa (31.01.2015)

[67018]

They don't have the rolling stock there, they are using what they have north of the closure to run as close to timetable as possible between Birmingham and Leamington .

That suggests that the bulk of the stock is stuck south of the blockage. Anyone got any idea, then, why services at the Marylebone end are short formed or cancelled? (Just out of interest - I'm not complaining as, so far, they seem to have done a good job of putting a workable schedule in place).

 

[LeylandLen]

That suggests that the bulk of the stock is stuck south of the blockage. Anyone got any idea, then, why services at the Marylebone end are short formed or cancelled? (Just out of interest - I'm not complaining as, so far, they seem to have done a good job of putting a workable schedule in place).

Anyway, if closure is for a week or so, cant they transfer stock via Worcester/Kidderminster into Snow Hill/Moor Street ?

 

[CyrusWuff]

Anyway, if closure is for a week or so, cant they transfer stock via Worcester/Kidderminster into Snow Hill/Moor Street ?

I suspect that the most likely option, if such a transfer were to take place, would be to do so via the WCML (assuming a path can be identified), as it's the quicker option.

Having said that, it's still (relatively) early days yet, so they've obviously come up with a train plan that works with the stock that is available North of Leamington, with Tyseley presumably being contracted to undertake exams as they become due.

 

[QJ]

6862 wrote:

they don't like luggage on rail replacement buses

A generalised misconception that needs refuting especially on RR routes where road coaches with luggage holds are the norm.

 

[Oxfordblues]

Yes, luggage should be no problem. I was bustituted once from Machynlleth to Shrewsbury and the coach driver happily accepted my bicycle (mind you, it wasn't too busy and there was plenty of room in the hold).

 

[CyrusWuff]

A generalised misconception that needs refuting especially on RR routes where road coaches with luggage holds are the norm.

Depends on the route, of course...The last couple of times we had RRBs round my way, they've used conventional single and double decker buses, and it's not uncommon for LU replacements to produce Routemasters and the like.

 

[Old Hill Bank]

Anyway, if closure is for a week or so, cant they transfer stock via Worcester/Kidderminster into Snow Hill/Moor Street ?

Two interesting moves to Stourbridge depot today have appeared on RTT.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...15/02/03/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

 

[jimm]

Closure will last for weeks

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...-to-close-railway-for-several-weeks-226b.aspx

 

[6862]

After doing a bit of research/asking over the past few days I'm getting a mixed picture of what the best way to get from Oxford to Derby would be. My current thoughts are:

1) Go XC to Banbury, use the bus to get to Leamington Spa, Chiltern from Leamington Spa to Moor Street, New Street to Derby.

or

2) Oxford to Worcester, Worcester to Moor Street, New Street to Derby. I know that I would need a new ticket for the Worcester to Moor Street leg because it's London Midland and they don't accept XC tickets.

or

3) Oxford to Paddington, St Pancras to Derby. Really don't want to do this one as I will have luggage and dragging it across London won't be much fun.

What would be my best option? The reason why I am asking is because I need to let family know so that they can make arrangements to pick me up from somewhere. I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but hopefully the answers might be of some use to others apart from me.

 

[azz7008]

After doing a bit of research/asking over the past few days I'm getting a mixed picture of what the best way to get from Oxford to Derby would be. My current thoughts are:

1) Go XC to Banbury, use the bus to get to Leamington Spa, Chiltern from Leamington Spa to Moor Street, New Street to Derby.

or

2) Oxford to Worcester, Worcester to Moor Street, New Street to Derby. I know that I would need a new ticket for the Worcester to Moor Street leg because it's London Midland and they don't accept XC tickets.

or

3) Oxford to Paddington, St Pancras to Derby. Really don't want to do this one as I will have luggage and dragging it across London won't be much fun.

What would be my best option? The reason why I am asking is because I need to let family know so that they can make arrangements to pick me up from somewhere. I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but hopefully the answers might be of some use to others apart from me.

Could you just not go XC banbury then instead of chiltern at Leamington go XC as they go straight to derby?


Also in on an unrelated note, a fence was being constructed on a hill just past Solihull this morning, looking into possibilities it could happen again?

 

[dvboy]

That suggests that the bulk of the stock is stuck south of the blockage. Anyone got any idea, then, why services at the Marylebone end are short formed or cancelled? (Just out of interest - I'm not complaining as, so far, they seem to have done a good job of putting a workable schedule in place).

I don't know for certain but I would imagine there would be a reduced service both sides of the closure so that there aren't trains clogging up the platforms at Leamington Spa and Banbury.

You would have Midlands-based staff that would normally travel to London and back unable to get through the gap also, and you may not necessarily be able to replace these directly with London staff who can't currently go north.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

After doing a bit of research/asking over the past few days I'm getting a mixed picture of what the best way to get from Oxford to Derby would be. My current thoughts are:

1) Go XC to Banbury, use the bus to get to Leamington Spa, Chiltern from Leamington Spa to Moor Street, New Street to Derby.

or

2) Oxford to Worcester, Worcester to Moor Street, New Street to Derby. I know that I would need a new ticket for the Worcester to Moor Street leg because it's London Midland and they don't accept XC tickets.

or

3) Oxford to Paddington, St Pancras to Derby. Really don't want to do this one as I will have luggage and dragging it across London won't be much fun.

What would be my best option? The reason why I am asking is because I need to let family know so that they can make arrangements to pick me up from somewhere. I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but hopefully the answers might be of some use to others apart from me.

I would go with 3 as that's probably the quickest way that doesn't require a new ticket, and it's fewer changes than option 1.

If you take option 1, remember XC are running hourly Leamington Spa to Birmingham New Street (and beyond to Manchester) so you wouldn't necessarily need to walk from Moor Street.

 

[berneyarms]

After doing a bit of research/asking over the past few days I'm getting a mixed picture of what the best way to get from Oxford to Derby would be. My current thoughts are:

1) Go XC to Banbury, use the bus to get to Leamington Spa, Chiltern from Leamington Spa to Moor Street, New Street to Derby.

or

2) Oxford to Worcester, Worcester to Moor Street, New Street to Derby. I know that I would need a new ticket for the Worcester to Moor Street leg because it's London Midland and they don't accept XC tickets.

or

3) Oxford to Paddington, St Pancras to Derby. Really don't want to do this one as I will have luggage and dragging it across London won't be much fun.

What would be my best option? The reason why I am asking is because I need to let family know so that they can make arrangements to pick me up from somewhere. I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but hopefully the answers might be of some use to others apart from me.

You are talking about a journey in six weeks time though?

By that time hopefully all this disruption will be over.

It's a bit early to be asking questions like this. Wait till about a week beforehand before asking - at that stage things will be a lot clearer.

 

[6862]

Thanks dvboy. My worry about going via London is it would be my first time going through London alone (I have no problem travelling by train generally but I would prefer it if my first time going through London was in more ideal circumstances).

Were I to go by option 1, I could make my way between Banbury and Leamington Spa by service bus if necessary although it takes 1 hour 17 minutes!

 

[67018]

I don't know for certain but I would imagine there would be a reduced service both sides of the closure so that there aren't trains clogging up the platforms at Leamington Spa and Banbury.

You would have Midlands-based staff that would normally travel to London and back unable to get through the gap also, and you may not necessarily be able to replace these directly with London staff who can't currently go north.

This might explain the cancellations, but not the short formed services - the stock must be somewhere. Chiltern are usually very good at matching capacity very closely to demand - which means mid/late evening services are often almost as full as peak trains - and it looks like they are doing the same here. Personally, I'm just pleased the service is running reasonably well, but the people standing from Haddenham this morning on a service 3 cars shorter than usual might be feeling a bit miffed.

If you take option 1, remember XC are running hourly Leamington Spa to Birmingham New Street (and beyond to Manchester) so you wouldn't necessarily need to walk from Moor Street.

Looks like XC are also running some direct services from Leamington Spa to Derby, which might be an easier option if the timing is right.

 

[6862]

You are talking about a journey in six weeks time though?

By that time hopefully all this disruption will be over.

It's a bit early to be asking questions like this. Wait till about a week beforehand before asking - at that stage things will be a lot clearer.

Yes, it is 6 weeks time, perhaps I'm being silly about it! The journey is how I'm getting home from University though so, I think naturally, it's a little worrying that I might have some pretty bad disruption. However, 6 weeks doesn't seem unrealistically long for such a large job to be done does it when you consider the scale of it and the difficulty in accessing the site as other members have mentioned?

 

[67018]

Thanks dvboy. My worry about going via London is it would be my first time going through London alone (I have no problem travelling by train generally but I would prefer it if my first time going through London was in more ideal circumstances).

Would it be sensible to go for option 1, I could make my way between Banbury and Leamington Spa by service bus if necessary although it takes 1 hour 17 minutes!

Paddington-St Pancras is not the most difficult journey, but a bit of a faff with luggage.

Chiltern timetable is advertising 2 rail replacement buses an hour from Banbury to Leamington Spa, taking 35 minutes, so looks like the easiest option.

 

[mr_moo]

Network Rail have released three rather impressive images, two of which are aerial shots:
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/HarburyLandslip/

 

[berneyarms]

Yes, it is 6 weeks time, perhaps I'm being silly about it! The journey is how I'm getting home from University though so, I think naturally, it's a little worrying that I might have some pretty bad disruption. However, 6 weeks doesn't seem unrealistically long for such a large job to be done does it when you consider the scale of it and the difficulty in accessing the site as other members have mentioned?

I know but there are many "what ifs" right now that you are better to wait until about a week beforehand and then ask the question.

You're still going to be able to plan the trip at that time, and will have relevant information.

I don't know any more than you do how long this will take, but worrying about a journey that's six weeks away is being a tad OTT.

 

[LeylandLen]

This from Network Rail press release today :

A large landslip near Harbury Tunnel is to keep the line closed between Banbury and Leamington Spa for several weeks.

Read full at
http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...-to-close-railway-for-several-weeks-226b.aspx

Virgin are meant to be running Blockade busters this way on 14/15 Feb due to blockade of Watford to Euston that weekend .

 

[swt_passenger]

This from Network Rail press release today :

A large landslip near Harbury Tunnel is to keep the line closed between Banbury and Leamington Spa for several weeks.

Read full at
http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...-to-close-railway-for-several-weeks-226b.aspx

Virgin are meant to be running Blockade busters this way on 14/15 Feb due to blockade of Watford to Euston that weekend .

Your news was already posted on the previous page - but clearly Virgin won't be running on diversion and the WCML engineering work may well be postponed. Or they'll have to use even more coaches..

 

[Bletchleyite]

If anyone is interested a Mainline silver set just went through Bletchley northbound.

 

[Oxfordblues]

5Z67 13:00 Wembley - Stourbridge Jn:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O70515/2015/02/03/advanced

 

[LeylandLen]

ok . Im told that WCML engineering work took a long time to organise , a lot of preparation work has been done. Then there's the manpower. No doubt some of items/locos/wagons needed here are already committed to WCML work at Watford Euston etc
I fear some more bad publicity for THE railway , which disappoints me and all other railway 'fans' reading this forum., especially with the election in May.Its all they need after what happened at Kings Cross over Christmas.!! Still, like Dawlish last year it has to be done

Then there are events at Wembley stadium coming up; especially the League Cup Final on March 1st between Chelsea & Spurs, plus England Rugby team at Twickenham in the Six Nations

 

[brompton rail]

After doing a bit of research/asking over the past few days I'm getting a mixed picture of what the best way to get from Oxford to Derby would be. My current thoughts are:

1) Go XC to Banbury, use the bus to get to Leamington Spa, Chiltern from Leamington Spa to Moor Street, New Street to Derby.

or

2) Oxford to Worcester, Worcester to Moor Street, New Street to Derby. I know that I would need a new ticket for the Worcester to Moor Street leg because it's London Midland and they don't accept XC tickets.

or

3) Oxford to Paddington, St Pancras to Derby. Really don't want to do this one as I will have luggage and dragging it across London won't be much fun.

What would be my best option? The reason why I am asking is because I need to let family know so that they can make arrangements to pick me up from somewhere. I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but hopefully the answers might be of some use to others apart from me.

At the moment XC are running Leamington Spa to Newcastle every TWO hours - even hours, I.e. 0844, etc, but check actual departure as they vary. The alternate hour trains start / terminate at New Street. Buses between Banbury and Leamington Spa are running three times per hour (actual times can be found by clicking on any train times app for departures from Leamington (LMS) or Banbury), journey times is 35 mins.

I don't believe tickets are valid via Cotswold line and Worcester, and anyway journey times are much longer with waits at Worcester Foregate Street - some 3+ hours typically!

Given that Network Rail say the land slip is still moving, having already dropped some 4 metres at the top (about house height), it seems probable that a few weeks could be somewhat longer. Compare to the Hatfield (Doncaster) slip of a couple of years ago. Removal of material can only begin in earnest when the slip has stopped moving.

 

[LeylandLen]

I know but there are many "what ifs" right now that you are better to wait until about a week beforehand and then ask the question.

You're still going to be able to plan the trip at that time, and will have relevant information.

I don't know any more than you do how long this will take, but worrying about a journey that's six weeks away is being a tad OTT.

Network Rail say today line to be closed for SEVERAL weeks !!!

 

[Essexman]

ok

Then there are events at Wembley stadium coming up; especially the League Cup Final on March 1st between Chelsea & Spurs, plus England Rugby team at Twickenham in the Six Nations

5500 West Ham fans travelling to West Brom on 14th (subject to FIFA not throwing us out the FA Cup), many of whom have already bought Chiltern's excellent value £29 tickets.

 

[The Planner]

Watford works will either be canned or seriously scoped back, providing thats possible.

 

[Llanigraham]

Network Rail say today line to be closed for SEVERAL weeks !!!

So what do you expect them to do about it?

NR are saying that the slip has dropped 4 metres and is still moving. Until it stops there is little they can do, then they have to find out what and where the "fracture" is and why it has formed, and then find a way to alleviate it.

None of that can be do in an instant as you seem to expect!!

 

[D1009]

5Z67 13:00 Wembley - Stourbridge Jn:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O70515/2015/02/03/advanced

Looks as though it went fast line from Ledburn and via Weedon, which is a bit unusual.

 

[E16 Cyclist]

That suggests that the bulk of the stock is stuck south of the blockage. Anyone got any idea, then, why services at the Marylebone end are short formed or cancelled? (Just out of interest - I'm not complaining as, so far, they seem to have done a good job of putting a workable schedule in place).

Chiltern are trying to run their normal timetable with trains terminating at Banbury if they were scheduled to run further and to do that they've had to short form services, this morning i drove the 0715 which is scheduled to run fast to Banbury and so ran nonstop to Banbury and terminated and left 5 minutes after a Banbury stopping services departed, needless to say i had a handful of passengers