Diversions due to line closures in the Bristol area (August 2021)

[Horizon22]

I would presume because of the issues at Malvern Wells?

I believe the walking route has recently been reinstated.

 

[tiptoptaff]

Crewing is going to be much more of an issue. But combine crewing and the waking route, sending a unit out is easier

 

[TrainTrackJack]

Having travelled past Malvern Wells today I can confirm a walking route has been provided on the driver's side of the Down line. You can see the darker grey route next to the ballast, seen from an up train.
View attachment IMG_7718.JPG

 

[JKF]

Anything for Portbury and the old IM terminal would need to come via Bath or run round in East Depot, which wouldn't be possible during the day as both the UM and East Depot are seeing about 5/6 trains an hour reversing there.

Portbury aggregates ran yesterday and today via Bath rather than the usual Parkway route. The Monday one was early but then sat in Temple Meads for around half an hour until roughly on time before heading to Parson St.

Update (22/7) - Bridgwater flasks running today, reversed in east depot.

 

[Pokelet]

I don't understand the issue with Malvern Wells... HST's have turned back there for years. As have non corridor 170's in multiple and 170+153. There even used to be a 2*170+170/153 combo that ran ECS first thing to work the second and third services to New Street, all would of had an on ballast walk.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

There is no issue with the walking route. It’s a slightly weird location in that a train up to 130m length can reverse inside ‘station limits’ i.e. outside the box and use the trailing crossover to reach the UM, which means the section to Ledbury is not required. If the train is longer then it proceeds onto the single line. In theory a 2+4 HST fits within the short turn back, so in theory could be signalled to use either location. I wonder if the driver who refused it was confused about which location that working was planned to use? There is no distinction in the plan for either location, it’s up to the signaller.

 

[73128]

There is no problem with going from London to Weston-super-Mare via Swindon / Bristol Parkway from a routeing perspective.

Cheapest way may be three tickets - off peak day returns to Didcot, there to swindon and then onwards to Weston.

 

[Old Shire]

Call me stupid ,but on the week with the Parkway to Weston going via St Philips Marsh why weren't Cross Country given this option? They are on a hell of a divert to get around Bristol.

 

[tiptoptaff]

Call me stupid ,but on the week with the Parkway to Weston going via St Philips Marsh why weren't Cross Country given this option? They are on a hell of a divert to get around Bristol.

Because they don't need to serve the local stops and as such, going direct ti Taunton via Westbury is more efficient use of pathing.

There was talk of it at one point, but fell away as it was decided to send them via WSB

 

[JN114]

Call me stupid ,but on the week with the Parkway to Weston going via St Philips Marsh why weren't Cross Country given this option? They are on a hell of a divert to get around Bristol.

Cross Country would have to train drivers and guards on the route, and make sure Voyagers were route cleared etc.

GWR will only have to train guards, stock is all already cleared

 

[Techniquest]

Are these diverts still scheduled to happen? Given the temporary shortage of crew that is. I'm a bit out of the loop on what exactly is happening, but I am still expecting to pop down for the diverts even if it's just to Bedminster and back, before then jumping on the bike to do some exploring.

 

[zero]

Are these diverts still scheduled to happen? Given the temporary shortage of crew that is. I'm a bit out of the loop on what exactly is happening, but I am still expecting to pop down for the diverts even if it's just to Bedminster and back, before then jumping on the bike to do some exploring.

The St Philip Marsh ones are still on Realtimetrains, I hope they are going to happen as I've booked a hotel for that week...

 

[tiptoptaff]

Very much still happening as far as we're aware

Cross Country would have to train drivers and guards on the route, and make sure Voyagers were route cleared etc.

GWR will only have to train guards, stock is all already cleared

They had drivers route learning - they even wanted to use SPM to stable. But wanted to put on too many sets

It ALL fell apart after that

 

[evotista]

Anyone know if these trains are still running from tomorrow given the gwr temporary timetable? They're still showing on RTT. Any info appreciated.

 

[tiptoptaff]

Anyone know if these trains are still running from tomorrow given the gwr temporary timetable? They're still showing on RTT. Any info appreciated.

Yes

 

[Old Shire]

Due to engineering works not being finished on time between Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads all lines are blocked.

 

[D6975]

Estimated 10:30 for lines to be cleared. BUT units in wrong places will probably mean disruption beyond this time.

 

[73128]

Due to engineering works not being finished on time between Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads all lines are blocked.

Current expectations (at 0915) were that it would last until ~1030. Pleased to say that this afternoon's trains have run, and one northbound this morning.

 

[zero]

Is the overrun likely to happen again tonight as I was hoping to do the rare moves tomorrow morning

 

[tiptoptaff]

Is the overrun likely to happen again tonight as I was hoping to do the rare moves tomorrow morning

Impossible to answer that question.

 

[pdeaves]

Is the overrun likely to happen again tonight as I was hoping to do the rare moves tomorrow morning

Notwithstanding tiptoptaff's answer, I would say it's unlikely. There is a lot of work to do, in various phases. One phase ended this morning (albeit late), the next lasts for this week. Personally, I would expect further issues, if any (hopefully not!) next Monday morning rather than tomorrow.

 

[gazr]

Currently, one of the tunnels under the Severn is not in use (don't know the reason), with Down trains using the Up line. May help if already in the area.

 

[Annetts key]

Is the overrun likely to happen again tonight as I was hoping to do the rare moves tomorrow morning

It depends on the reason for the overrun. These kinds of works are planned to a great level of detail. But various elements cannot finish until the earlier work is done. So there is a sequence.

And the block cannot be handed back or the limits reduced until the required work is fully completed.

As with anything complicated, it only takes any significant problem to smash the prepared plan to pieces…

And the Bristol East Junction project is one of the largest on Western in recent years. The track layout is being changed, relaid and renewed. All the points, axle counters and most of the signals are being renewed, changed or altered.

Having said all that, I’m sure that behind the scenes, the contractor and Network Rail are doing what they can to avoid any further unplanned disruption.

Currently, one of the tunnels under the Severn is not in use (don't know the reason), with Down trains using the Up line. May help if already in the area.

Do you mean that the Down Tunnel line is closed and all trains are working bidirectionally on the Up Tunnel line only?
There are multiple tunnels between Seven Tunnel East and Patchway, but there is only one Severn Tunnel.

 

[Brissle Girl]

Currently, one of the tunnels under the Severn is not in use (don't know the reason), with Down trains using the Up line. May help if already in the area.

At the risk of being slightly pedantic, there is only one tunnel under the Severn.

 

[JonathanH]

Currently, one of the tunnels under the Severn is not in use (don't know the reason), with Down trains using the Up line. May help if already in the area.

It didn't help passengers on the 0923 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central who spent an hour at Severn Tunnel East and returned to Bristol Parkway to terminate there, passing two westbound services on the way.

1L20 1223 Swansea to London Paddington diverted via Gloucester.

Do you mean that the Down Tunnel line is closed and all trains are working bidirectionally on the Up Tunnel line only?

Yes, that is what is currently happening. I think 1B11 1048 London Paddington to Swansea reported an obstruction in the tunnel.

Bristol Parkway is a bit cramped for the disruption today. Bedminster not ideal as a place for confused passengers either this morning.

 

[kennythelad]

1114 Parkway - Weston-S-M was cancelled. 1121 Parkway - Plymouth via Westbury ran (11 late off Pkwy, on time at Taunton).

 

[tel]

1114 Parkway - Weston-S-M was cancelled. 1121 Parkway - Plymouth via Westbury ran (11 late off Pkwy, on time at Taunton).

Hope the 1114 is not cancelled tomorrow i want to be on it.

 

[kennythelad]

Hope the 1114 is not cancelled tomorrow i want to be on it.

First one to run from Parkway to Weston today was 1414.
The 1114 actually started about 30 mins late at Bedminster.

 

[JonathanH]

First one to run from Parkway to Weston today was 1414.
The 1114 actually started about 30 mins late at Bedminster.

Yes, having come empty from Bristol Parkway (the 1114 that is).

 

[73128]

The St Philip Marsh ones are still on Realtimetrains, I hope they are going to happen as I've booked a hotel for that week...

They're not stopping between Filton AW and Nailsea in the public timetable.