Nationwide signal issue reported on 6th December

[Jamiescott1]

The driver on my train this morning, apologised for the delay and said this is "due to a nationwide problem with the signaling... (something inaudible)"

 

[Royal351]

Nationwide GSMR fault, nothing too bad

 

[tram21]

National Rail reporting major disruption across the network due to a GSMR failure.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service-disruptions/onboard-communications-20241206/

There is a nationwide fault with the communication system used between train drivers and signallers. As a result, services across the National Rail network may be subject to delays this morning.

Trains on some routes across the network are having to start their journeys later because of this fault and some may also be subject to short-notice cancellations or alterations.

Please check before you travel, allow extra time for your journey and monitor live departure boards.

Customer advice:
Elizabeth line

Services between Reading / Heathrow Airport and Reading are impacted by this incident. You are advised to wait for the next available train if your service is cancelled.

South Western Railway

If you would prefer to use local buses to continue your journey please check Traveline - South Western Railway tickets are not valid on local buses unless stated above.

ScotRail

Customers with valid tickets may travel via any reasonable route. If you have had to drive to another station your ticket will be valid to collect your car on your return journey. Speak to a member of staff to validate your ticket.


Additional information:
There is a fault with the onboard "GSMR" radio system that allows communication between train drivers and signal operators. This issue is currently being investigated and you will be updated as soon as possible.

 

[diffident]

Just reported on BBC 5 Live. Must be serious

 

[RolandR]

This has just been reported on BBC Radio 5Live that there is major disruption across the whole network.

 

[Beebman]

BBC News has started a ‘live updates’ page about the issue:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cv2g2rrjywqt

• Rush-hour trains are delayed this morning because of a "nationwide fault" with a communications system, National Rail says
• "Trains across the network are having to start their journeys later because of this fault and some may also be subject to cancellations," the group says
• Afffected services include South Western Railway, Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Thameslink
• It Scotland, ScotRail earlier said it was affected - but now says services are running normally
• The fault does not affect safety on trains that are running, operators say

 

[sh24]

And now a BBC News alert on my phone.

Nationwide fault causes delays across UK rail network

National Rail says it is investigating a fault with an emergency radio system used to communicate with drivers.

www.bbc.com

A major disruption on the UK's rail network has caused delays on at least eight lines on Friday morning.

National Rail said the issue was due to a "nationwide fault" with the radio system used between train drivers and signallers.

 

[NSEWonderer]

It's affecting quite a few trains with some operators advising Drives to use wildcards. REC calls are apparently "not affected" by the issue.

 

[a_c_skinner]

It's affecting quite a few trains with some operators advising Drives to use wildcards. REC calls are apparently "not affected" by the issue.

I try not to reveal my inner trainspotter with daft questions but what are wildcards? They sound a bit chancy.

 

[mrmartin]

Seems like a bit of an overreaction from BBC? I expected to see every train cancelled or something. They even say Elizabeth line specifically is affected but is good status on tfl and can't see any cancellations/significant delays at all on RTT?

 

[zoneking]

Lots of delays on Southern and SWR, but that is nothing new for SWR.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

I try not to reveal my inner trainspotter with daft questions but what are wildcards? They sound a bit chancy.

They are generic codes used to register the gsm-r however they have not worked all morning at my depot

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Dec 2024 ==

Seems like a bit of an overreaction from BBC? I expected to see every train cancelled or something. They even say Elizabeth line specifically is affected but is good status on tfl and can't see any cancellations/significant delays at all on RTT?

Should've seen Crewe station this morning, heavy delays and cancellations across the board

 

[MadCommuter]

Seems like a bit of an overreaction from BBC? I expected to see every train cancelled or something. They even say Elizabeth line specifically is affected but is good status on tfl and can't see any cancellations/significant delays at all on RTT?

I agree. No issues in my local area on Traksy.

 

[tpfx89]

Seems like a bit of an overreaction from BBC? I expected to see every train cancelled or something. They even say Elizabeth line specifically is affected but is good status on tfl and can't see any cancellations/significant delays at all on RTT?

It might cause some elements of snowballing though. GSMR failing on the first unit in a queue to leave a depot blocking all the others etc, we'll have to wait and see how grim it is or isn't mind but it doesn't seem to be isolated to one NR region

 

[Bigfoot]

I try not to reveal my inner trainspotter with daft questions but what are wildcards? They sound a bit chancy.

Wildcards are registration numbers that can be used to register any headcode at any location where normal registration processes cannot be used. Most registrations use the signal number.

Trains in theory don't need to use any registration provided the radio shows it's connected to the national network, whilst it's not ideal as it's harder to be contacted and to contact the correct signaller.

It seems today that some radios won't even connect to the network, someone unplugged something in Doncaster overnight and when they plugged it back in it didn't work at all...

 

[StoneRoad]

Also noted by ClassicFM news and travel on their 08h00 bulletin.

Planning a trip on Tyne Valley line later ?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Some really useless information on NRE at the moment:

Incident: OnboardCommunications | National Rail

Disruption to some National Rail routes this morning. Find details of all current incidents on National Rail Enquiries.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

Elizabeth line
Services between Reading / Heathrow Airport and Reading are impacted by this incident. You are advised to wait for the next available train if your service is cancelled.

The BBC has just said "Scotrail is not affected by the fault"

 

[Dave W]

It seems today that some radios won't even connect to the network, someone unplugged something in Doncaster overnight and when they plugged it back in it didn't work at all...

Have they tried that again?

Briefly mentioned on BBC Breakfast too

 

[Cricketer8for9]

My anecdote is train running on time on Southern. Just past Clapham Jct and an SWR Class 444 which as ever on a Friday morning was very peaceful at the back of a 10 coach set.

 

[TUC]

The reporting of it is frankly bizarre. BBC News refers to a 'nationwide fsult', but then say that afffected services include South Western Railway, Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Thameslink.

Very long way from nationwide then...

 

[Harpo]

someone unplugged something in Doncaster overnight and when they plugged it back in it didn't work at all...

Surprised to hear about a national failure. I thought GSMR’s cell structure meant this couldn’t happen?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

The reporting of it is frankly bizarre. BBC News refers to a 'nationwide fsult', but then say that afffected services include South Western Railway, Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Thameslink.

Very long way from nationwide then...

Very bizarre given TfW and LNWR are being affected, clearly they only care about trains of the south

 

[sh24]

I’ve just arrived at Plymouth now expecting drama. Departures as normal, some arrivals 10-20 mins late. They originated from Bristol so possibly issues getting out of Stoke Gifford?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Surprised to hear about a national failure. I thought GSMR’s cell structure meant this couldn’t happen?

Probably because it's not a network issue, it's the part of the system that isn't accepting registrations. Some trains are struggling to connect, but looks like majority are at least connected and therefore able to run

 

[DNCharingX]

Mind boggling how there can be one point of failure affecting the whole country, with what appears to be not much for contingency.

(Please be fixed before the late turn I'd like a normal shift please )

 

[Harpo]

Probably because it's not a network issue, it's the part of the system that isn't accepting registrations. Some trains are struggling to connect, but looks like majority are at least connected and therefore able to run

Thanks. So not an outright/absolute failure either.

 

[fandroid]

Plenty of delays at Manchester Piccadilly

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Thanks. So not an outright/absolute failure either.

No, as long as the driver is connected to the network they seem to be getting permission to run. Though 1 unit this morning couldn't make or receive calls so that didn't run until it could.

 

[slipdigby]

Plenty of delays at Manchester Piccadilly

Situation absolutely normal then -no need to panic

 

[trainophile]

Is RTT showing accurate information?