Storm Franklin - Further weather disruption possible

[90sWereBetter]

Going by Realtime Trains, I'm guessing the 50mph blanket speed restriction on the GEML has been lifted? Hoping it is the case, I'm using both the GEML and the Braintree branch on Tuesday afternoon and thought it'd be a nailbiter for things going back to normal.

 

[Horizon22]

I see that the 8 am Shalford to Gatwick Airport was terminated short at Redhill owe to it being 53 minutes late due to an objection on the track.

Would I be right in thinking that obstruction will have occurred after they had cleared the other obstructions?

I note the buses between Guildford and Shalford haven't been cancelled, even though some of the hourly train services either side have.

The Great Western Railway Web Site says this:

Live Train Times and Journey Updates | Great Western Railway

See the Great Western Railway TrainTracker for live departure times and up-to-the-minute train journey updates.

www.gwr.com

That is the same as they had up yesterday so I don't think they have updated their advice, despite today trying to run trains to Gatwick Airport and not just Redhill and the service being split in 2 by a rail replacement bus.

Yes the North Downs was only cleared at around 0800, but the train left Shalford 45 minutes late for some reason having arrived empty early from Redhill. Maybe they needed to ferry a guard down from Reading due to the disruption? Or reports of an obstruction down the line before depature?

Obviously less than ideal circumstances given the block at Guildford.

I’m not an expert in this, but the trains are timed for 2hr 50 to London, which is their usual time during the week. Much of the line is 75-90mph and while Port Talbot to Swansea feels slow normally, the rest of the route often feels like we are doing 90mph. When I took a train after storm Dennis we were limited to 40mph and it took 3 hours to get to Cardiff.

The first up London train which ran lost only 8 minutes: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L64644/2022-02-20/detailed#allox_id=0. Not sure what BSR (if any) NR Wales have in place. Subsequent trains have lost similar amounts of time, which to me would suggest specific TSR (temporary speed reductions) instead.

The intention is for all trains to terminate at Bristol Parkway / Temple Meads though.

 

[MrB]

As was noted in the Storm Eunice thread, the reputation of the railway is going to suffer significant damage from this spell of bad weather and TOCs everywhere giving up on getting people where they want to go - very few issues on roads/buses/coaches.

 

[ungreat]

Southeastern advising not to travel tomorrow (Monday).

It does feel as if, since covid, this country's default response to any difficulty is to now tell people to lock themselves away indoors. Simply not practical, nor is it sustainable!

As was noted in the Storm Eunice thread, the reputation of the railway is going to suffer significant damage from this spell of bad weather and TOCs everywhere giving up on getting people where they want to go - very few issues on roads/buses/coaches.

I'm a train driver.
I had to go out Friday during the storm..50mph speed limit. It was bloody scary not knowing what was around the corner.

 

[86246]

Going by Realtime Trains, I'm guessing the 50mph blanket speed restriction on the GEML has been lifted? Hoping it is the case, I'm using both the GEML and the Braintree branch on Tuesday afternoon and thought it'd be a nailbiter for things going back to normal.

The Network Rail Anglia account has just tweeted that the 50mph limit will return tomorrow.

https://twitter.com/NetworkRailAng/status/1495396154741248001

#StormFranklin Alert! All railway lines in Anglia will have a 50mph speed restriction tomorrow to keep you safe. Your journey with @greateranglia @c2c_Rail or @TfL may be subject to some delays or cancellations. Please take extra time for your journey

 

[infobleep]

I'm a train driver.
I had to go out Friday during the storm..50mph speed limit. It was bloody scary not knowing what was around the corner.

Out of interest did you come across any issues yourself?

It's a difficult one. On one hand there are people who genuinely require trains, yet on another you don't want injuries to staff and damaged trains aren't cheap to fix.

Advising people not to travel with good reason. Whilst this won’t be anywhere as bad as Eunice, the last thing we need is people travelling and the getting stranded because the network has to be shut down. Two lines are still shut on Southeastern because of that last storm.

In contrast this is what South Western Railway say:

Ticket Acceptance and Refunds:

If you are able to re-plan your journey your ticket will be accepted on Monday 21 February

Find details of current incidents | National Rail

A portal into UK rail travel, including information on ticket purchase and promotions, train times and delays, and more.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

Maybe things won't be as bad on their network. Even GTR are asking people to gbjnk about whether their journey is avolsutely necessary.

 

[Techniquest]

Well so far so good here today, the yellow warning was due to kick in at 12 but the rain didn't really arrive until around 1330 I think. The wind has gratefully been kind so far, I managed a good power walk session this morning, and I swear the wind was worse then than it is now! I'm glad though, as around 12pm I needed to get out of the house and that would have been difficult if the wind had arrived when forecasted!

The squall line, I'm not looking forward to that. Nor am I looking forward to the walk to/from work tomorrow, and I have to say I'm fed up of this weather. It's stopping me going out cycling, or indeed doing all that much outside, and that's affecting me both physically and mentally. I despise being indoors for too long, and after today the Winter Olympics will be over so there's no longer that to keep me occupied. I have things to do indoors, don't get me wrong, but I hate being indoors!

I really want this weather to hurry up and go away!

 

[Sleepy]

The Network Rail Anglia account has just tweeted that the 50mph limit will return tomorrow.

https://twitter.com/NetworkRailAng/status/1495396154741248001

Looks like Essential travel only will be GA advice issued shortly. With another weather warning for East Anglia now in place schools & colleges likely to be shut (half term here last week)

UPDATE Intercity from Norwich will terminate at Colchester all day.

 

[yorksrob]

I don't know about the trains, but I've been sat here waiting for an hour at Wakefield bus station. Lots of buses disrupted by flash flooding.

 

[CHAPS2034]

I don't know about the trains, but I've been sat here waiting for an hour at Wakefield bus station. Lots of buses disrupted by flash flooding.

And the line squall has just passed through Manchester so get ready for 5 minutes of very heavy rainfall, hail and gusty winds....

Looking at the local weather station, the average windspeed today has been around 25mph but the highest gust as the squall went through was 48mph. Rainfall rate was 12 inches per hour for a very short time!

Manchester has now had an inch of rain in the last 24 hours.

 

[Mag_seven]

With another Amber warning for East Anglia now in place

There is no amber warning in place for East Anglia at time of posting.

 

[philosopher]

Well I'm flying into Luton this afternoon and I'm booked on the 18:37 GC from King's Cross to Doncaster then whatever feels like turning up to Sheffield...

Fingers crossed I escape this as well as I did Eunice on Friday morning...

I am just about to board a flight to Heathrow now. I really do hope the flight arrives before squall line, otherwise I suspect it will either be a very bumpy flight or I will end up in some random airport.

 

[MikeWM]

The warnings were entirely reasonable on Friday, that was a once-in-a-decade or worse storm, the worst of which wasn't going to get started until after people had travelled and wasn't going to end until after it got dark, all of which created a 'perfect storm' (ahem).

Conversely, this seems a fairly average storm where most damage will be apparent early in the morning and will be all but over by lunchtime tomorrow; and so this seems quite an over-reaction.

Saying things like 'think about how you might be able to get home', as GN are currently doing, does not instill confidence in the railway and will just make people use other modes of transport instead, possibly permanently - the last thing the railway needs right now.

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

I don't know if the Exmouth line is closed but a 6-car Class 150 is being used on GWR 1A86 from Exeter St. David's to Reading. I suspect this is also is to do with the 50mph speed restrictions in place.

 

[TrainGeekUK]

Eastbourne station is still closed to the main concourse today, and it’s blowing a real gale down here this afternoon.

 

[standish1]

Heavy rain and strong winds in North West of England likely to bring down weakened trees

 

[MikeWM]

On a related note, are there continuing problems on the WAML other than at Stansted Mountfitchet?

It seems very poor that Harlow and Bishops Stortford have had no trains, and no replacement buses, all weekend so far.

 

[dk1]

On a related note, are there continuing problems on the WAML other than at Stansted Mountfitchet?

It seems very poor that Harlow and Bishops Stortford have had no trains, and no replacement buses, all weekend so far.

Yes. Large tree damaged OHL at Stortford amongst other areas. They where hoping to reopen tomorrow morning but I wouldn’t hold my breath with Franklin fast approaching.

 

[Failed Unit]

I'm a train driver.
I had to go out Friday during the storm..50mph speed limit. It was bloody scary not knowing what was around the corner.

Not surprised. Going around the unclassified roads in Hertfordshire today. Still lots of trees partly blocking roads. The difference is that you can go around them on the verge. But still surprise you when
you turn a corner and see them. Can’t imagine what that is like on something that isn’t very agile such as a train.

 

[D6130]

Blowing a hooley here in Hebden Bridge about 15-20 minutes ago with heavy rain....neighbours' plastic dustbin went flying past the window and ended up down the lane. Seems to have calmed down now, but still raining. Presumably that was the squall storm? Trains running OK, but some delays of up to 10 minutes.

 

[CHAPS2034]

Blowing a hooley here in Hebden Bridge about 15-20 minutes ago with heavy rain....neighbours' plastic dustbin went flying past the window and ended up down the lane. Seems to have calmed down now, but still raining. Presumably that was the squall storm? Trains running OK, but some delays of up to 10 minutes.

That was indeed the line squall passing through.

You can see it here

Rain radar & weather forecast | Meteoradar

View the current rain and weather forecast on the rain radar at Meteoradar.

meteoradar.co.uk

Lots of water about though - what price Walsden being flooded later?

 

[Greybeard33]

And the line squall has just passed through Manchester so get ready for 5 minutes of very heavy rainfall, hail and gusty winds....

Looking at the local weather station, the average windspeed today has been around 25mph but the highest gust as the squall went through was 48mph. Rainfall rate was 12 inches per hour for a very short time!

Manchester has now had an inch of rain in the last 24 hours.

When the line squall hit our house (Greater Manchester) this afternoon, the gusts were stronger than any we had on Friday. And rain like stair rods!

Fortunately it passed through quickly.

 

[D6130]

Lots of water about though - what price Walsden being flooded later?

For the last two or three years Network Rail's contractors have been busy deepening the stream bed under - and either side of - the shallow underbridge near Walsden, but I'm not sure how well it's working.

 

[Techniquest]

Sounds like I might be missing that squall line, I haven't noticed any extreme wind today. It's gone breezy, that's for sure, more than usual for February, compared to Friday it is tolerable. I wouldn't want to be cycling outside though!

For reasons unknown to me, someone in the house has moved the patio table back to upright. The same for the recycling bin, but left the black one down. Quite why I have no idea, they were fine where they were and were more protected from the wind.

Still, what can you expect from members of a house who don't pay attention to the effects of weather? One of them left his bike outside in the appalling winter weather for months, and understandably it is all rusted up. I think even the strongest tools in the world would struggle to separate the chain from the cogs now. Leaving it outside but covered is one thing, but leaving it with no protection, not even oil, and maintained properly, well no surprise it has gone bad!

So I expect nothing better in this house!

 

[MikeWM]

Yes. Large tree damaged OHL at Stortford amongst other areas. They where hoping to reopen tomorrow morning but I wouldn’t hold my breath with Franklin fast approaching.

Thanks. All it says on GA website is damage at Mountfitchet, sounds like they should make that rather clearer.

 

[dk1]

Thanks. All it says on GA website is damage at Mountfitchet, sounds like they should make that rather clearer.

I think it’s probably easier to keep it simple or just say damage at numerous locations. Wouldn’t want to be trying to repair them in this weather.

 

[Edsmith]

Southeastern advising not to travel tomorrow (Monday).

It does feel as if, since covid, this country's default response to any difficulty is to now tell people to lock themselves away indoors. Simply not practical, nor is it sustainable!

As was noted in the Storm Eunice thread, the reputation of the railway is going to suffer significant damage from this spell of bad weather and TOCs everywhere giving up on getting people where they want to go - very few issues on roads/buses/coaches.

It's just advice from Southeastern, obviously people will have to make their own decisions. I'm not sure what other advice they can give in the circumstances?

 

[MikeWM]

I think it’s probably easier to keep it simple or just say damage at numerous locations. Wouldn’t want to be trying to repair them in this weather.

True - but if I lived in Harlow, for example, I'd be rather confused/irritated as to why I've had no service of any sort to London for the last two days, when the only (publically available) reported damage is 15 miles in the other direction.

 

[rg177]

I am just about to board a flight to Heathrow now. I really do hope the flight arrives before squall line, otherwise I suspect it will either be a very bumpy flight or I will end up in some random airport.

Was a very bumpy descent with a lot of lurching and swinging about for me though thankfully a fairly smooth landing.

London is getting very blowy so I'm about to sack off the time-filling bashing and head for the pub

 

[30907]

We've just been given a severe flood warning on our stretch of the river Aire. That will likely cause issues along the Aire & Wharfe routes.

Fortunately only a normal one according to the Govt website. But that's enough to cause problems at Kirkstall in a few hours - at least Baildon to Shipley by rail will be above the flood