Blockade to allow Waterloo upgrade to take place, resulting in timetable changes

[Bald Rick]

Ah yes that rings a bell now, faulty earthing which caused signal failures for a couple of months

It wasn't faulty. It was exactly to design - and was a temporary stage. However there was some 'noisy' background earth returns in the area (non-railway) which were not known about that caused issues with the temporary arrangement. This was the root cause, but took a while to find as what appeared to be happening was slight variations in the power supply frequency. It took about 2-3 weeks to discover and was then the final design was immediately implemented (earlier than planned).

 

[MarkyT]

Besides the interlockings done in the late 80s Waterloo resignalling are in far better nick than those done for Victroia resignalling nearly a decade earlier.

I think manufacturers had sorted out the formulation for the wiring insulation by then. There was a whole series of late 70s/early 80s interlockings, many supplied by GEC, that were found to be suffering from early insulation degradation by the early 2000s, which can be very risky if it then starts to fall off and permit random connections between separate circuits that happen to be running close together in the same ducting. The installations were re-scheduled for earlier rewiring or renewal, and in the meantime contact with and manipulation of the wires had to be minimised, often preventing any alterations being carried out. Wiring of older relay installations from the 60s and 70 tended to be in much better condition by contrast.

 

[snowball]

I seem to remember some aircraft built at a certain period had problems with the insulation of their cables too.

 

[infobleep]

It wasn't faulty. It was exactly to design - and was a temporary stage. However there was some 'noisy' background earth returns in the area (non-railway) which were not known about that caused issues with the temporary arrangement. This was the root cause, but took a while to find as what appeared to be happening was slight variations in the power supply frequency. It took about 2-3 weeks to discover and was then the final design was immediately implemented (earlier than planned).

Are you able to say what the non-railway equipment causing the issue was?

 

[ijmad]

#DisruptionSWR **Update** Due to signalling problems at Waterloo, disruption is expected until 10:30 13:00 today [url]https://www.journeycheck.com/swr/ [/url]

What now!

 

[Goldfish62]

I probably have more understanding than you will ever imagine.

Without any content that means nothing to me.

 

[Domeyhead]

I couldn't work a train back from Bournemouth during the blockade as I'd wandered into hidden.(had to pass back)

I'd worked a train down there as they were desperate and had no one to work it with less than 20 mins to spare...I made over two hours overtime which I didn't want as I don't want overtime and don't work rest days...but people forget this,conveniently.

Under normal scenario of this turn I'd have been home at 1430 (at the normal latest without overtime)...I got home at 1730.

It's unfortunate that passengers would be unaware of you "going the extra mile(s)" for their benefit yet for many of them you made a major positive difference to their day and I suspect had they known many might have given at least a nod or a wave if they passed the cab on leaving the train. I don't know the regulations on using public address for informal anouncements (I know some staff enjoy making the odd announcement and the public tend to like it too) but if the guard said "Ladies and Gents, just for your information the driver of this train should have been home by now at the end of this shift but agreed to drive this service rather than see you wait an hour for the next one" - you'd feel a warm glow of approval on your back. Shame it doesn't happen. Perhaps it should.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

It's unfortunate that passengers would be unaware of you "going the extra mile(s)" for their benefit yet for many of them you made a major positive difference to their day and I suspect had they known many might have given at least a nod or a wave if they passed the cab on leaving the train. I don't know the regulations on using public address for informal anouncements (I know some staff enjoy making the odd announcement and the public tend to like it too) but if the guard said "Ladies and Gents, just for your information the driver of this train should have been home by now at the end of this shift but agreed to drive this service rather than see you wait an hour for the next one" - you'd feel a warm glow of approval on your back. Shame it doesn't happen. Perhaps it should.

You're living in a fantasy world aren't you.

I have the same attitude to the job now, I come in do what I have to do on my job sheet and that's it, I don't do overtime (they don't pay the appropriate rate) and I don't do rest days for the same reason.

The company or passengers don't think any more of you for going out of your way and doing it, so why should I or any other driver/guard bother?

If they (someone else aka money grabbers) want to do the overtime, that's fine by me, but just don't ask me to do it because I won't entertain the request.

 

[Domeyhead]

You're living in a fantasy world aren't you.

I have the same attitude to the job now, I come in do what I have to do on my job sheet and that's it, I don't do overtime (they don't pay the appropriate rate) and I don't do rest days for the same reason.

The company or passengers don't think any more of you for going out of your way and doing it, so why should I or any other driver/guard bother?

If they (someone else aka money grabbers) want to do the overtime, that's fine by me, but just don't ask me to do it because I won't entertain the request.

I was reponding to another poster, not you, so your toxic attitude was irrelevant to the conversation.

 

[Juniper Driver]

It's unfortunate that passengers would be unaware of you "going the extra mile(s)" for their benefit yet for many of them you made a major positive difference to their day and I suspect had they known many might have given at least a nod or a wave if they passed the cab on leaving the train. I don't know the regulations on using public address for informal anouncements (I know some staff enjoy making the odd announcement and the public tend to like it too) but if the guard said "Ladies and Gents, just for your information the driver of this train should have been home by now at the end of this shift but agreed to drive this service rather than see you wait an hour for the next one" - you'd feel a warm glow of approval on your back. Shame it doesn't happen. Perhaps it should.

I'd probably feel uncomfortable if some sort of announcement was made.As I said I did this as a "favour" as I've been helped out in the past.

It wasn't too bad although the blockade wasn't really an easy time it was different.

 

[Domeyhead]

I'd probably feel uncomfortable if some sort of announcement was made.As I said I did this as a "favour" as I've been helped out in the past.

It wasn't too bad although the blockade wasn't really an easy time it was different.

I used to use the GWR 165 shuttle between Reading and Basingstoke regularly and it was usually held at both ends for some other service or freight to clear before entering its platform. One of the drivers always came on the PA to tell passengers what we were waiting for and approximately how long the stand would be. It made a big difference to the passengers (many standing) to know that the wait would only be for a minute or two, and on leaving the train several passengers (me included) would make a point of walking past the window just to give a quick "Thanks Driver" to give him some kind of appreciation. It's not much but the respect is there.

 

[bb21]

I was reponding to another poster, not you, so your toxic attitude was irrelevant to the conversation.

I think, in his defence (I never thought I'd say this one day ), after repeatedly witnessing the behaviour of some of the scums of the earth, the patience can easily wear thin. I know I am at that point in some such situations.

Add to that quite often passengers do not have any awareness the impact their behaviour can have on the wider operation of the network.

These however remain a small minority, but just like passenger perception of rail staff, those few unpleasant experiences overshadow the vast majority of positive experiences.

Just like those who vent their anger on twitter, this forum is often an outlet for people with their frustration of some sort. I doubt he actually talks with such disdain in real life.

 

[spark001uk]

Although they must keep at least within the no.1 forum rule of remaining respectful, no?

 

[bb21]

Although they must keep at least within the no.1 forum rule of remaining respectful, no?

That is correct, so if there is something forum staff have missed, please feel free to report it, and we will then take another look.

It would help if any objection could be as specific as possible.