Any slower I'd be walking!

[ah-media]

Rather amused this morning to see the 0946 Avonmouth to Weston-super-Mare was partially cancelled after Bristol TM due to "Due to the planned train being replaced with a slower train (MS)."

Given this train then proceeds after Bristol to call at every all stations to WSM including Bedminster, I'm really not sure how it can be slower? Are GWR trying to save money and getting the passengers to push the train through Somerset to increase the journey time?

 

[The exile]

That seems to have been used quite a lot yesterday as well. Wrong code selection, I imagine, on what was quite a fraught day!

 

[Javelin_55]

The MS delay code is used for a variety of things. Being replaced with a slower, shortformed or underpowered unit is just one, and to my knowledge it's the scenario least used as more operators begin to use a single stock type.
At my local TOC an MS coded part cancellation might suggest that the unit needs to be back at a depot for an exam before it's out of miles. Or that the part cancellation is down to a late start due to having to prep a different unit for service.

 

[The exile]

The MS delay code is used for a variety of things. Being replaced with a slower, shortformed or underpowered unit is just one, and to my knowledge it's the scenario least used as more operators begin to use a single stock type.
At my local TOC an MS coded part cancellation might suggest that the unit needs to be back at a depot for an exam before it's out of miles. Or that the part cancellation is down to a late start due to having to prep a different unit for service.

The reason quoted was being given out in the public address.

 

[yorksrob]

Rather amused this morning to see the 0946 Avonmouth to Weston-super-Mare was partially cancelled after Bristol TM due to "Due to the planned train being replaced with a slower train (MS)."

Given this train then proceeds after Bristol to call at every all stations to WSM including Bedminster, I'm really not sure how it can be slower? Are GWR trying to save money and getting the passengers to push the train through Somerset to increase the journey time?

I'm sure I've been shunted into a loop for a passing train to go by on that section before.

 

[Javelin_55]

The reason quoted was being given out in the public address.

Those reasons are still based on small excerpts from the delay codes though, and would be used for any public information unless staff were in a position to know more.

The point I was trying to make is that an MS coded delay doesn't usually mean the train is moving more slowly.

 

[The exile]

Those reasons are still based on small excerpts from the delay codes though, and would be used for any public information unless staff were in a position to know more.

The point I was trying to make is that an MS coded delay doesn't usually mean the train is moving more slowly.

But to the general travelling public a train being cancelled “because a slower train is being used” is ludicrous (I heard the reactions). If a slower train is being used, then it’s late. If a train is cancelled, then no train is being used!

 

[Javelin_55]

But to the general travelling public a train being cancelled “because a slower train is being used” is ludicrous (I heard the reactions). If a slower train is being used, then it’s late. If a train is cancelled, then no train is being used!

100% agreed! As someone who works with these codes day in day out, it's frustrating to see disruption summarised in such a clumsy way, especially when (as you've pointed out with MS) the reason seems make no sense. "Due to an alternative train being required" might be a better catch-all term for this?

 

[GWVillager]

The RTT link shows it being cancelled due to “a late arrival of an inbound service”. Wrong code inputted originally, then (as suggested before)?

Realtime Trains | 2Y15 0946 Avonmouth to Weston-super-Mare | 30/11/2023

Real-time train running information for 2Y15 0946 departure from Avonmouth to Weston-super-Mare on 30/11/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[greatkingrat]

That doesn't seem right though either. The incoming train was only 5 minutes late arriving at Avonmouth. I could perhaps understand running fast and missing a few stops out, but not cancelling it in full.

 

[johntea]

The new more detailed announcements don't always make sense, my service home was cancelled yesterday due to a 'broken rail' apparently but the 'broken rail' was on a completely different line, in reality the service was probably cancelled because the unit meant to be running it was meant to be formed from a unit arriving from running a service on the actual affected line!

 

[GWVillager]

The new more detailed announcements don't always make sense, my service home was cancelled yesterday due to a 'broken rail' apparently but the 'broken rail' was on a completely different line, in reality the service was probably cancelled because the unit meant to be running it was meant to be formed from a unit arriving from running a service on the actual affected line!

Well then the broken rail would be the cause of the cancellation?

 

[Annetts key]

GWR often swap sets at BTM, or pinch sets for what they consider a more important service. So that may part of the reason.

I'm sure I've been shunted into a loop for a passing train to go by on that section before.

At either Bedminster (although it’s not a loop) or Yatton (where both loops are available for passenger trains).