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Major line-side fire between Wembley and Watford Jnc 15 Sept 2017

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TimboM

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All trains are stopped (both directions) in the vicinity of Headstone Lane station (between Watford Jnc and Wembley on the WCML).

Initial reports/photos indicate a major fire in warehouses/offices right next to the line just North of Headstone Lane station.

Reports are the overhead lines between North Wembley and Bourne End Junction have been isolated.
 
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tsr

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Your reports are correct. Unfortunately!

This fire is suspected of having gas cylinders involved. Reports of explosions by eyewitnesses, which may or may not confirm this.

One passenger train is trapped between stations, the rest are either in platforms or freight/ECS. Alternative transport being arranged for VT/LM passengers with access to platforms.

Unfortunately I am not sure how long this incident will last (and I'm going to bed now...).
 

TimboM

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London Fire Brigade are reporting they have 8 appliances and 58 firefighters at the scene - warehouses/offices at Chantry Place, Harrow (right next to the line, just North of Headstone Lane station).

Judging by the videos/photos on Twitter it's a very large fire.
 

EM2

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Looks like it's going to be very sticky all day:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/171562.aspx

A lineside fire near Headstone Lane involving gas cylinders is causing major disruption to journeys between Milton Keynes Central and London Euston. At around 23:55 yesterday evening, a large lineside fire was reported near Headstone Lane. The damage has been looked at by structural engineers and they have declared the situation is currently unsafe for trains to run. Until the morning light it isn't possible to give a full assesment of the situation.

A much reduced service will run along the west coast mainline. Services will start / terminate at Milton Keynes Central. No trains are able to run between Milton Keynes Central and Harrow & Wealdstone.

It is hoped a shuttle service will be able to run between London Euston and Harrow & Wealdstone however this is yet to be confirmed.

Disruption is expected to continue until the end of service.
 

Searle

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There are going to be a lot of angry commuters today. Happy Friday!

I suppose at least they'll get an extra day weekend :lol:
 

Antman

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There are going to be a lot of angry commuters today. Happy Friday!

I suppose at least they'll get an extra day weekend :lol:

You don't say:roll:!

I'm trying to get to Manchester so I'm not exactly overjoyed about it, looks like I'll be going via Nottingham unless I can get LO to Watford Junction but there appears to be nothing going north from there at the moment.

I think the LO lines are quite a way from the mainline at the point of the fire? Probably a silly question but would it not be possible to divert some trains via the LO lines?

And surely questions need to be asked about gas cylinders being stored near railway lines?
 
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Bald Rick

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And surely questions need to be asked about gas cylinders being stored near railway lines?

Questions of who? The railway has no jurisdiction over what neighbours keep in their back yard. Indeed it's not even neighbours - Acetylene cylinders have a 250m exclusion zone if they are involved in a fire.
 

Bletchleyite

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Any indications as to when the job is likely to restart? I need to go to London but not until this evening, would like to know if it's going to make sense to come up with an alternative plan (via Bedford and Thameslink might do but I bet it'll be busy!)
 

Peter Mugridge

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The BBC is reporting that the railway's retaining wall has been damaged, so even when it does re-open it may not be all the tracks for some time:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-41276218

There is no service on London Midland, Virgin Trains and Southern between Milton Keynes Central and Euston.

Virgin trains to and from Scotland, north-west England, the West Midlands and north Wales are starting or terminating at Milton Keynes.

London Midland is advising its passengers not to travel on the route.
Nearly 60 firefighters were called to the blaze in Chantry Place, Harrow, at 23:47 BST on Thursday.

As a result, trains through Headstone Lane have been suspended.

Network Rail said the blaze had damaged the "trackside retaining wall" and it would be a "big job to fix".
 

A Challenge

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You don't say:roll:!

I'm trying to get to Manchester so I'm not exactly overjoyed about it, looks like I'll be going via Nottingham unless I can get LO to Watford Junction but there appears to be nothing going north from there at the moment.

I think the LO lines are quite a way from the mainline at the point of the fire? Probably a silly question but would it not be possible to divert some trains via the LO lines?

And surely questions need to be asked about gas cylinders being stored near railway lines?
Have to be deseil, so maybe Voyagers or this mornings sleeper arrivals. I suppose it was too late for the lowland last night to be diverted?
 

edwin_m

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Seems rather surprising they can't get some service south of MK at least to Watford. That would open up an option (albeit with rather a long walk) via the Met.
 

The Planner

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Very difficult to do without Watford North and people now shy away from Watford as it doesnt cope well with lots of punters in one go.
 

GW43125

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Very difficult to do without Watford North and people now shy away from Watford as it doesnt cope well with lots of punters in one go.

Two questions: why not at least take some trains to Bletchley-decamp to marston vale.

And why was Watford north taken out and not put back as it'd be invaluable in situations like this?
 

Antman

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Seems rather surprising they can't get some service south of MK at least to Watford. That would open up an option (albeit with rather a long walk) via the Met.

That's what I thought and LO seems to be running normally between Euston and Watford Junction although overcrowding will be inevitable with trains being packed with end to end passengers and nobody being able to get on at intermediate stations although there is the Bakerloo Line from Harrow & Wealdstone.
 
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DarloRich

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Two questions: why not at least take some trains to Bletchley-decamp to marston vale.

And why was Watford north taken out and not put back as it'd be invaluable in situations like this?

The standby chug two was pressed into service instead of the 153 but it was filling up rapidly this morning as all Bletchley customers were being sent to Bedford for onward travel to London.

One of those days where following advice and only traveling if required is very sensible! I might change the title to job stopped south of MK

PS never seen Blethcley carriage sidings so full!
 
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ChiefPlanner

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Seems rather surprising they can't get some service south of MK at least to Watford. That would open up an option (albeit with rather a long walk) via the Met.

Subject to OLE isolations , a shuttle from Hemel to say Northampton - even hourly would at least let the LM local flows into MK and schools traffic intermediately to operate.

Marston Vale not an option with a total of 3 vehicles available for passengers

Someone mentioned WC diversions down the DC lines - even in 1996 we did not do that (bar a couple of RES services) - no capacity north of Harrow due to long signal sections and of course no route clearance or knowledge. MK3' were very tight on the curves in any case at Bushey and Watford High St.
 

Bletchleyite

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Marston Vale not an option with a total of 3 vehicles available for passengers

5, there's a standby 150 at present, presumably to deal with the appalling reliability of late.

Worth getting all three into service and running a non-stop shuttle service, using a taxi for intermediates? Wouldn't take all WCML traffic but would make a reasonable inroad into local traffic.
 

The Planner

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And why was Watford north taken out and not put back as it'd be invaluable in situations like this?

It was taken out as part of Watford resignalling works and was to go back in, a little thing called Harbury happened which meant the blocks couldnt be taken. Why it hasnt gone back in since is open to debate.
 

DarloRich

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5, there's a standby 150 at present, presumably to deal with the appalling reliability of late.

Worth getting all three into service and running a non-stop shuttle service, using a taxi for intermediates? Wouldn't take all WCML traffic but would make a reasonable inroad into local traffic.

there are 3 trains of 5 vehicles. ;) I think the 153 might be u/s again.

Problem is that word gets out and people would turn up en mass and it causes as many problems as it can solve.

Agreed - i would like to say bus the MK people at least to Blethcley but the chugs might not cope and if it were to go udders up....................
 
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The Planner

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5, there's a standby 150 at present, presumably to deal with the appalling reliability of late.

Worth getting all three into service and running a non-stop shuttle service, using a taxi for intermediates? Wouldn't take all WCML traffic but would make a reasonable inroad into local traffic.

Problem is that word gets out and people would turn up en mass and it causes as many problems as it can solve.
 

parkender102

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Need to get to Chester later today from London. Looks like best bet is East Coast Kings X to Doncaster then TPE to Stockport and thence to Chester either via Crewe or direct. Any better or faster suggestions? Not looking forward to the bunfight at Sheffield if I jave to change there - happened a few months ago and I was last man on the train before they stopped anyone else getting on as it was overcrowded to danger point.

I'm assuming my Euston to Shotton ticket is valid on these routes - didn't have a problem last time.
 
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QueensCurve

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Picture of Headstone Lane Fire.

DJuMafiXkAE-xul.jpg
 

DarloRich

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Coaches are running from MK to Luton Airport Parkway for onward rail connections

Need to get to Chester later today from London. Looks like best bet is East Coast Kings X to Doncaster then TPE to Stockport and thence to Chester either via Crewe or direct. Any better or faster suggestions? Not looking forward to the bunfight at Sheffield if I jave to change there - happened a few months ago and I was last man on the train before they stopped anyone else getting on as it was overcrowded to danger point.

EMT to Sheffield?

Chiltern to Brum
 
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parkender102

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EMT to Sheffield?

Thanks! Not thought of that one - will have a look.

I'm actually in Farnborough so have to get into London first but I can head up to Farnborough North Station and get the train to Reading and then Reading - Birmingham - Crewe but will have to check validity and timings.
 
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Need to get to Chester later today from London. Looks like best bet is East Coast Kings X to Doncaster then TPE to Stockport and thence to Chester either via Crewe or direct. Any better or faster suggestions? Not looking forward to the bunfight at Sheffield if I jave to change there - happened a few months ago and I was last man on the train before they stopped anyone else getting on as it was overcrowded to danger point.

I'm assuming my Euston to Shotton ticket is valid on these routes - didn't have a problem last time.

Marylebone, Birmingham Snow Hill, New Street, Chester?
 

70014IronDuke

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Questions of who? The railway has no jurisdiction over what neighbours keep in their back yard. Indeed it's not even neighbours - Acetylene cylinders have a 250m exclusion zone if they are involved in a fire.

Perhaps there should be a law about it? No gas cylinders to be present without a temporary licence with x metres of a railway line?
 
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