Just to clarify a few things about the impact of the power fault...
- The signalling in various areas was knocked out, but mostly restored quickly (mainly affecting the south east, principally the Chatham and Lewes grid areas, affecting the Sussex Coast and east Kent, but also the South London Metro area).
- As well as the power cut affecting lighting etc. at Clapham Junction, the SDO beacon system has also been affected here and possibly also at a few other locations, so trains have had to undergo manual door override procedures and so on. This has affected most of the stock in the area.
- The Class 700s have experienced a power fault which is particularly irksome at the best of times, although it can usually now be reset or worked-around within a few minutes, with the overall experience of the last few years. Some units have successfully reset, but others have not, and these failed units are sufficient in number to block various routes. Unfortunately, the fault resolution process then locks down the units if it is unsuccessful after a couple of goes, so fitters will be required to attend quite a few trains. Where possible, units which have had a successful reset will try to rescue those units still stranded.
Advice is not to travel on routes operated by / shared with Thameslink north of the Thames...
Lots of ticket acceptance and buses in place, but I’m guessing this is realistically unlikely to be resolved much before tomorrow morning.
Also lots of evacuations taking place of stranded units. Some drivers are facing the worst-case “do it alone” (or with minimal manpower) evacuation scenario.
