City Thameslink flooded on 2025-02-03

[Deepgreen]

I can understand flooding causing all sorts of problems, but how was it that trains could run through the station safely but not stop there?

Just as trains can run through a tunnel without a station present, as long as the track and signals are operational.

Possibly the burst waterpipe was supplying the sprinkler system and therefore the sprinkler system is not in use. Hence they cannot open the station to passengers?

Yes, with the irony of flooding ostensiby heightening the fire risk!

 

[ThreeIfByAir]

Trains are now calling at City Thameslink.

But bizarrely, only between 0900 and 2300! 0800-2200 or 0730-2130 would make a lot more sense -- I've been away from the City a while but a large percentage of workers will arrive before 9, surely?

 

[NewcastleBrown]

I presume with just one exit open they don't feel they can deal with the morning peak? Bit easier to deal with in the evening as you can just crowd control at the door.

 

[westcoaster]

Only one entrance available to use, at the Blackfriars end.
The other end had been blocked off with metal fence/barriers

 

[Intermodal]

The northern end of the southbound platform was looking a bit damp when we went through earlier - you could see lots of swirls on the floor akin to the type observed when a very wet and dirty floor is half-heartedly mopped.

 

[jon0844]

The northern end is likely to be closed for quite a while as there's a lot of repair work to do, so I expect the restrictions will stay in place for the foreseeable to deal with passenger numbers. I believe the fire service had to be satisfied of the remaining safety systems (and escape routes) being sufficient, so likely that means no trains during peak periods (in the evening peak, I guess they can control people coming in which they couldn't when people are arriving on trains).

 

[Intermodal]

The northern end is likely to be closed for quite a while as there's a lot of repair work to do, so I expect the restrictions will stay in place for the foreseeable to deal with passenger numbers. I believe the fire service had to be satisfied of the remaining safety systems (and escape routes) being sufficient, so likely that means no trains during peak periods (in the evening peak, I guess they can control people coming in which they couldn't when people are arriving on trains).

Yes, suppose it’s a bit of a tricky one to try and control the amount of people arriving when a few thousand of them get dropped off every few minutes and you can’t do anything about it ….

 

[Class15]

Just passed through City Thameslink again (on 9V23). Can confirm that the northern exit was shut and the first train on the board was in 44 minutes on the Northbound platform at least. I have no idea why the 9am restriction has to be in place on a Saturday!

 

[ThameslinkUser]

I have no idea why the 9am restriction has to be in place on a Saturday!

Is that not City Thameslink's normal opening hours on a Saturday?

 

[whoosh]

I presume with just one exit open they don't feel they can deal with the morning peak? Bit easier to deal with in the evening as you can just crowd control at the door.

That's exactly the reason.

 

[Class15]

Is that not City Thameslink's normal opening hours on a Saturday?

It might be! I normally use Thameslink Monday-Friday and the bus on Saturdays, but I was a bit late today so got a thameslink train! You may well be right!

 

[JKF]

Presumably this burst main was part of the station’s infrastructure and not the fault of a third-party off site? I’d hate to think what the insurance claim would be otherwise! As someone who used to supervise ground investigations I’m well aware of how important it is to avoid service strikes.

 

[jon0844]

Presumably this burst main was part of the station’s infrastructure and not the fault of a third-party off site? I’d hate to think what the insurance claim would be otherwise! As someone who used to supervise ground investigations I’m well aware of how important it is to avoid service strikes.

They're having to dismantle an escalator to do repairs apparently, so it is certainly going to be costly.

 

[NaZzAtAzEr]

They're having to dismantle an escalator to do repairs apparently, so it is certainly going to be costly.

Escalators 5-10, just to access the sprinkler system. They're hoping to finish works early afternoon today

 

[Recessio]

Just heard a platform announcement at Blackfriars that City Thameslink won't be open before 9am for the next three months.

 

[Class15]

Just heard a platform announcement at Blackfriars that City Thameslink won't be open before 9am for the next three months.

Not a massive surprise to be honest.

 

[andos]

Thameslink have just updated to say City Thameslink Holborn end will reopen tomorrow (12th Feb) and timetable will go back to normal

https://www.thameslinkrailway.com/service-updates/service-updates?uq=638748843897320000#INC5AFF18CE86364957B824BB8F8D18F0D1

 

[Timmyd]

Both ends fully open this morning. You can see the after-effects at the north end, the floor is really grubby (despite the best efforts of a lady with a mop) and almost all of the escalators are out (although that’s not unusual)

 

[Recessio]

Just heard a platform announcement at Blackfriars that City Thameslink won't be open before 9am for the next three months.

Well that was a quick three months then!

 

[Horizon22]

Well that was a quick three months then!

Perhaps that’s the reduced escalator usage timeframe?

 

[NewcastleBrown]

I do hope that if they have to take apart the escalators anyway that they can try and fix the persistent problems they have been having over recent months at the same time

 

[Timmyd]

To be fair almost all the escalators were back working today too