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Peterborough broken train (18/06)

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AM9

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And as a customer you were told! The reason was a broken down train ahead. Just because you're too nosey doesn't make the answer you were given wrong...
Maybe they should have announced that there was a spatial conflict between the flux capacitor and the maximal interocitor and that replacements are being rushed across from the University of Leicester on a train hauled by a class A3 (possible thanks to the flux capacitor of course) via Melton Mowbray, Oakham and Stamford and the driver's name is Jones the Steam. Would that be the information that nlt is entitled to because they paid for their travel?
 

Stampy

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As of 1415 today (18th June) the 158 is STILL sat there, as 5R70....

-edit- It's just started heading North!!!
 

59CosG95

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As of 1415 today (18th June) the 158 is STILL sat there, as 5R70....

-edit- It's just started heading North!!!
158864 (on 1R74) was caped at Peterborough and ran as 1Z99 to de-train 1R70 before returning to Peterborough to transfer pax to 1R78 - hopefully as a 4-car.

Certainly made an interesting sight at Werrington Jct, being sat there for most of the morning!
 

Sirgerbil

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If there is anybody from LNER management reading this I would say the flow of information to the passengers on my train is not very good. We have been told there is a broken down train but not why it is broken and what is actually being done to fix it.

It was an issue with the pantograph, But how does that help you? Do you possess PTS to walk up to the failed train and apply your traction knowledge of class 91's to fix a Brecknell Willis high speed panto? Do you reckon it's the pan head that's chipped and air is venting? Or do you reckon the compressor has packed in and can't supply enough air to keep it up?

My point is - If you throw this much information at people in an already tense situation they are likely to blow up in a rage. People like straight to the point information and more importantly when they will be moving. That's why a train manager will not stand there and feed you 10 minutes of worthless information.
 

Robertj21a

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It was an issue with the pantograph, But how does that help you? Do you possess PTS to walk up to the failed train and apply your traction knowledge of class 91's to fix a Brecknell Willis high speed panto? Do you reckon it's the pan head that's chipped and air is venting? Or do you reckon the compressor has packed in and can't supply enough air to keep it up?

My point is - If you throw this much information at people in an already tense situation they are likely to blow up in a rage. People like straight to the point information and more importantly when they will be moving. That's why a train manager will not stand there and feed you 10 minutes of worthless information.

Well said. All the 'normals' on a delayed train want to know is how long they might have to wait (often impossible to say) and if alternatives may be necessary if matters don't get resolved quickly. Good, frequent, communication is essential even if it can't actually say very much.
 

ComUtoR

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Isn't this the same argument for and against providing a reason for the delay. Is this the same as 'operational incident' ?
 

edwin_m

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The train in front of you has a fault and needs to go to Bounds Green, it will be sent round the Hertford Loop and out of your way. If it had just been allowed to continue, it would further delay you and others behind you. It would also then cause further issues in the Kings Cross area, further delaying even more services.
If it got all the way to Kings Cross the hauling diesel would be trapped against the buffers. As far as I know the push-pull system doesn't work with diesels so they would then have to find another loco to drag it out again, and the platform might not even be long enough for a normal set plus two extra locos.

I'd say it's actually good for customer relations to pass on the reason for the delay where possible. It gives passengers confidence that the TOC/NR is on top of the situation and people are often more understanding if it's clearly a situation that would take some sorting out rather than some meaningless platitude like an operating incident. And many regular travellers who don't count themselves as enthusiasts would have an idea (or think they have) of how much delay might arise from a particular cause. Obviously it won't always be possible to pass this on, either because there is no information or on occasion because certain causes should remain confidential. But when "how the operator deals with delays" consistently comes near the bottom of the satisfaction ratings the industry needs to get better at this.
 

Edders23

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As a business owner i have to say that customers do like to know what the trouble is but I would have said that the biggest problem for the customers is TIME they want to know how long the delay is and that information was lacking

Even a wild guess might reduce passenger annoyance if you tell them an educated guestimate that at least gives them some information to reschedule their lives

didn't do any fares to Peterborough today so missed all this going on probably just as well as that ridiculously small drop off/pick up area is chaos most days add train delays and you start getting major delays for taxis also
 

LowLevel

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The stricken East Mids 158 is still sitting there 4 hours later (minus pax) !!

It had a total loss of power and when the rescue unit coupled to it the fault transferred electrically and killed that as well. The crew moved the passengers to the rescue unit and managed to uncouple so it returned them to Peterborough. Fitters then eventually managed to resurrect 813 at which point it trundled off to Nottingham in disgrace.

It's lucky it went on the fast line rather than the slow line as if it had burst on the down slow/down Stamford it would have stopped the Peterborough to Leicester line entirely rather than being worked around (some very long freight trains using that route which would have been a pain to recess!).
 

Sleepy

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It had a total loss of power and when the rescue unit coupled to it the fault transferred electrically and killed that as well. The crew moved the passengers to the rescue unit and managed to uncouple so it returned them to Peterborough. Fitters then eventually managed to resurrect 813 at which point it trundled off to Nottingham in disgrace.

It's lucky it went on the fast line rather than the slow line as if it had burst on the down slow/down Stamford it would have stopped the Peterborough to Leicester line entirely rather than being worked around (some very long freight trains using that route which would have been a pain to recess!).
Do East Midlands Nottingham bound services normally use down slow ?
 

Jackoref

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Not a good few days on the ECML for my family.
I was on the Southbound Hull Trains service on Saturday which had to rescue the failed unit, meaning we rolled back into Doncaster hours after we had left it having got no further than Balby.
Then yesterday my wife and daughter were due to be on the 14:48 Grand Central which got cancelled as a result of this disruption.
Any idea why they were not allowed to get an alternative LNER service (there were plenty of them, and not a particularly busy time I wouldn't have thought)? Instead they had to go from St Pancas to Sheffield and change onto a local service to get to Doncaster.
Also, I hadn't realised that Grand Central do not pay delay repay like other TOCs. Only 50% refund for a delay of over an hour seems a bit tight!!
 

DarloRich

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Well said. All the 'normals' on a delayed train want to know is how long they might have to wait (often impossible to say) and if alternatives may be necessary if matters don't get resolved quickly. Good, frequent, communication is essential even if it can't actually say very much.

I agree - however I wonder if the OP has a misunderstanding about how trains report faults. It isnt high tech!
 

AM9

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I agree - however I wonder if the OP has a misunderstanding about how trains report faults. It isnt high tech!
I think it's more that the OP is just stuck in a rant because he was delayed. Presumably, as he has enrolled on RUK, he is an enthusiast and feels that he should be privy to the minutiae of the incident. As far as the railway is concerned, he is just one of many passengers that they have to deliver to their destiantions asap and don't want to get into a discussion about what happened, how they should deal with it and trigger yet more request for updates.
Generally, most members here understand these issues and merely observe things to satify their curiosity, but there are a few who think that their being 'enthusiasts' entitles them to more information, maybe so they can impress the other normals at the scene with their privileged knowledge.
 

DarloRich

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Generally, most members here understand these issues and merely observe things to satify their curiosity, but there are a few who think that their being 'enthusiasts' entitles them to more information, maybe so they can impress the other normals at the scene with their privileged knowledge.

i do think there is a bit of that!
 

dk1

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Generally, most members here understand these issues and merely observe things to satify their curiosity, but there are a few who think that their being 'enthusiasts' entitles them to more information, maybe so they can impress the other normals at the scene with their privileged knowledge.
They seem to relish being caught up in the drama of it all. I have witnessed this first hand on many occasions & normally cringe at what rubbish they spout out.
 

DoubleO

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GC aren't technically a TOC, hence having a different compensation policy.

With respect to the cancelled 1448 yesterday, LNER would not give ticket acceptance, ironic to say the least given that their unit caused the delays....
 

Jackoref

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GC aren't technically a TOC, hence having a different compensation policy.

With respect to the cancelled 1448 yesterday, LNER would not give ticket acceptance, ironic to say the least given that their unit caused the delays....

I thought it interesting that LNER had ticket acceptance in place with Hull Trains and others, but not Grand Central. Have they fallen out??
 

Stampy

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Do East Midlands Nottingham bound services normally use down slow ?

A few do, I know that when I've caught the (i think) 1126 from Peterborough to Nottingham that at least twice it's gone along the slow lines and crawled along between Marholm and Helpston (probably awaiting a late train on the Leicester-Peterborough route) before joining the Main Line (slow) at Helpston - where we've crawled again whilst 2 Fast trains pass, before gaining the Down Fast at Tallington.
More often than not, it stays on the Slow line right the way up Stoke Bank, before joining up with the Down Fast at Stoke Tunnel.
 

Plethora

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I thought it interesting that LNER had ticket acceptance in place with Hull Trains and others, but not Grand Central. Have they fallen out??

Suspect Hull trains have more experience than GC asking LNER for assistance...
 
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