ECML/MML major power problems (09/08)

[yorkie]

Apparently all Class 700 units in the affected area (I'm currently near St Neots) have come to a stand because a power blip has occurred, and it's affecting only this type of train. All other train types are unaffected.

I'm currently on 9J44 near St Neots. Fortunately it looks like most, if not all, of the affected trains are not affecting junctions, so other trains can bypass them.

My train is currently being reset multiple times in an attempt to resolve the issue, but no luck so far.

 

[Mike395]

Something similar has happened on the MML side - all TL services appear to be at a stand.

 

[richa2002]

Seems to be every 700 on AC has ground to a halt. Not just the ECML but the MML too.

 

[Hadders]

I’m at Stevenage and was planning to get the 17:02 to Finsbury Park. Everything suddenly went from on time to delayed or cancelled as I made my way to the platforms from the concourse.

 

[Hadders]

Both northbound and southbound affected.

 

[Mike395]

Looks to possibly be related to a wider power failure in the London area as a result of a lightning strike.

 

[yorkie]

Something similar has happened on the MML side - all TL services appear to be at a stand.

Thanks. Title updated.

 

[SickyNicky]

Wow. Must have just made it from Luton Airport Parkway to Farringdon in time! Sorry for those of you stuck, but think of the delay repay and go and have a drink or something

 

[Hadders]

I’m off to the Royal Albert Hall. Was going to say thank god for LNER but we’ve just come to a stand outside Welwyn North.

I see the Victoria Line is suspended as well due to power supply issues.

 

[SickyNicky]

Well, thank God for GWR and their bi-modal trains, anyway

 

[robbeech]

You’d rather hope there’d be more resilience to this sort of thing wouldn’t you. I would think (based purely on my electronics knowledge and not of any knowledge of this or any other traction) that it’s most likely to be a particular system that has not stood a deviation in voltage. That system is likely some form of communication or location or safety device. It’s certainly unlikely to knock out traction motors but who knows
Not a good sign. How are the 800s and other modern stock looking?

 

[Hadders]

Guard on the LNER train I’m on has just said Lineside Equipment issues is why we’ve stopped.

Not looking good.

 

[bramling]

You’d rather hope there’d be more resilience to this sort of thing wouldn’t you. I would think (based purely on my electronics knowledge and not of any knowledge of this or any other traction) that it’s most likely to be a particular system that has not stood a deviation in voltage. That system is likely some form of communication or location or safety device. It’s certainly unlikely to knock out traction motors but who knows
Not a good sign. How are the 800s and other modern stock looking?

The sky in London has turned noticeably threatening in the last hour or so. But I thought it was said about the 700s "nothing much bothers them"...

 

[darloscott]

Seeing reports of a UK wide issue with power networks? Certainly issues on Tyne & Wear Metro and Merseyrail also

 

[BJames]

From the UKPN, twitter (https://twitter.com/UKPowerNetworks/status/1159858936037748736):

We're aware of a power cut affecting a large area of London and South East. We believe this is due to a failure to National Grid's network, which is affecting our customers. We may not be able to answer individual tweets at this time. Please keep an eye on our feed for updates.

 

[AndrewE]

Has anyone been reading this thread https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/rail-vulnerability.188084/#post-4145600?

 

[londonmidland]

BBC have just reported major power failures across the country affecting trains, airports and traffic lights.

 

[Saint66]

BBC News now reporting a large power failure across large areas of the UK.

 

[yorkie]

No power cut at all here; only an issue with certain types of trains. A GTR customer host has told me that it was also Azumas affected. Apparently they have a fix for it which involves doing a reset of each train

 

[Hadders]

The LNER train has started moving but very slowly - just made it to WGC. We’ve been switched to the slow line and are stopped at the platform.

Train Manager still saying lineside equipment.

 

[SickyNicky]

Yeah, we're fine here at Paddington as well.

 

[Hadders]

Looking at Open Time Trains there appear to be trains (which I suspect are 700s) blocking the fast and slows between WGC and Potters Bar.

 

[Hadders]

bbc.co.uk

Major power failures have been reported across large areas of the UK, affecting trains, airports and traffic lights.
UK Power Networks said large parts of London and the South East are without electricity.

"We believe this is due to a failure on National Grid's network, which is affecting our customers," it said.
Transport for London said the drop in power is affecting traffic lights in the capital.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

 

[lightbulb]

All EMT trains at a standstill at St Pancras.

 

[yorkie]

All EMT trains at a standstill at St Pancras.

My train is now back on the move; we are now on the fast line north of Huntingdon. The driver was very good over the PA and a customer host also kept people informed.

Edit; ecml South of Stevenage now has no power.

 

[Mathew S]

Certainly affected Liverpool, Blackpool, and Stockport as well as the South East. The various Electricity Network Operators all seem to be pointing the finger firmly at National Grid.
On the plus side, things appear to be gradually coming back online now.

 

[Dren Ahmeti]

All 700’s and 717’s have ground to a halt due to a system defect on all units on AC (north of the core).

What’s worrying is that the reboots aren’t working, so there are evacuation plans being thought up for some trains (2C36 just outside Cambridge is one of them).

A major incident has just been declared.

 

[Dren Ahmeti]

Currently 23 stranded trains on the ECML outside of stations.

 

[High Dyke]

There are some benefits of non-electric trains, providing there is a power supply to allow stations to remain open.

 

[Starmill]

The power has been off in Greater Manchester for an extended period recently. Stockport Station was in chaos with alarms going off.

Power operators for the South East, Midlands, South West and Wales said there was a "major incident" affecting electricity.

BBC News - Major power failure affecting trains and airports
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49300025

Random people on twitter have claimed it was an issue with the supply rather than the distribution network. The scale of the incident seems very large. The UK Power Networks website was innaccessible for me.