Cancelled trains on Thameslink tonight

[AndyY]

I just missed the stopping train departing Kentish Town at 2014 today, the next 2 trains were cancelled and the 2100 was 10 minutes late, meaning a nearly a 1 hour wait when there are supposed to be 4 trains per hour on the route.

In the morning many trains were also delayed due to a vehicle striking a bridge but fortunately I noticed the delays in the live departures board, left home early and avoided the worst of it.

This kind of delays is quickly becoming a weekly occurrence. Does anybody know whether they were caused by the works in London Bridge, and whether things are expected to improve by 2018?

At the moment I am so fed up that I am starting to consider moving home just to stay away from Thameslink line.

 

[philthetube]

unpopular as Thameslink are you cannot blame them for a vehicle striking a bridge.

 

[JaJaWa]

Two of their new Class 700s broke down in the core this evening, at the same time in each direction at Blackfriars / City Thameslink.

 

[westcoaster]

The pre evening peak was spoilt by a suicidal female on the line at salfords causing 45+ minute delays.

 

[AndyY]

Thank you for your replies. So it was teething problems. To have 1 train breaking down is unfortunate, to have 2 breaking down at the same time is a tad careless.

I understand that vehicle striking bridge is not the fault of Thameslink, but I wonder why does it occur so often? I have never come across this in the underground (contrary to it's name, most of it is above ground) for example. Perhaps particular bridges are not well protected against vehicle strikes, or the roads are poorly designed that make vehicles more likely to strike them?

 

[westcoaster]

Thank you for your replies. So it was teething problems. To have 1 train breaking down is unfortunate, to have 2 breaking down at the same time is a tad careless.

I understand that vehicle striking bridge is not the fault of Thameslink, but I wonder why does it occur so often? I have never come across this in the underground (contrary to it's name, most of it is above ground) for example. Perhaps particular bridges are not well protected against vehicle strikes, or the roads are poorly designed that make vehicles more likely to strike them?

The bridge at tulle Hill is well signposted , has a massive day glow banner on it , flashing lights but still gets hit, that is careless driving. Not much else can be done.

 

[hwl]

Thank you for your replies. So it was teething problems. To have 1 train breaking down is unfortunate, to have 2 breaking down at the same time is a tad careless.

I understand that vehicle striking bridge is not the fault of Thameslink, but I wonder why does it occur so often? I have never come across this in the underground (contrary to it's name, most of it is above ground) for example. Perhaps particular bridges are not well protected against vehicle strikes, or the roads are poorly designed that make vehicles more likely to strike them?

Thurlow Park Road aka South Circular the most hit in the UK.
Tulse Hill has both electronic (yellow LED) and traditional signage on the approaches for more than mile each way and electronic signage linked to vehicle height sensors with suitable tailored diversion or stop advice with 1/4-1/3 mile of the bridge. It is covered in reflective wasp stripes and is well illuminated and has a huge banner saying "LOW BRIDGE" in 60cm high letters. A westbound vehicle hitting it will have missed / ignored upto 9 signs.

Recent culprits have included new spec 18tonne rigid supermarket lorries as used by the 2 biggest supermarket groups to deliver to their metro style stores and lots of empty 9'6" containers going back to the ports on the biggest UK container hauliers tractors /trailers (they think they can make it under when they have driven a full container in the other direction...)

 

[Crossover]

Two of their new Class 700s broke down in the core this evening, at the same time in each direction at Blackfriars / City Thameslink.

I guess that would be at the AC/DC changeover then?

 

[Blamethrower]

I just missed the stopping train departing Kentish Town at 2014 today, the next 2 trains were cancelled and the 2100 was 10 minutes late, meaning a nearly a 1 hour wait when there are supposed to be 4 trains per hour on the route.

In the morning many trains were also delayed due to a vehicle striking a bridge but fortunately I noticed the delays in the live departures board, left home early and avoided the worst of it.

This kind of delays is quickly becoming a weekly occurrence. Does anybody know whether they were caused by the works in London Bridge, and whether things are expected to improve by 2018?

At the moment I am so fed up that I am starting to consider moving home just to stay away from Thameslink line.

Don't move, once London Bridge is sorted, it will be fine.

When i used thameslink, the works at Farringdon used to knock everything out. Add to this the introduction of a new fleet and the usual cr@p then now is not a good time to be on thameslink.

Once LB is done, new trains have bedded in, thameslink will be pretty damn good I reckon.

 

[AM9]

I guess that would be at the AC/DC changeover then?

ISTR southbound AC/DC changeover still normally takes place at Farringdon. Northbound is now City Thameslink giving an opportunity to run problem stock into Smithfield sidings or back up to Blackfriars.

 

[Mojo]

unpopular as Thameslink are you cannot blame them for a vehicle striking a bridge.

You can, however, ask questions as to the speed of the response from the railway industry as a whole, this includes Network Rail and the Train Operating Companies.

 

[hwl]

You can, however, ask questions as to the speed of the response from the railway industry as a whole, this includes Network Rail and the Train Operating Companies.

An MOM within 100metres of the bridge for most of the day is pretty good?

 

[LBSCR Times]

An MOM within 100metres of the bridge for most of the day is pretty good?

Coupled with CCTV linked to the ROC at Three Bridges, and the ability of the NR Route Control Managers being able to view / authorise the line to be opened too.
However, congestion builds up very quickly at most times of the day, even if the line is shut for 'only' 10 minutes.

 

[EssexGonzo]

ISTR southbound AC/DC changeover still normally takes place at Farringdon. Northbound is now City Thameslink giving an opportunity to run problem stock into Smithfield sidings or back up to Blackfriars.

My uninformed opinion would be that you're correct. As I climb the stairs from the westbound Circle Line at Farringdon I often see a pantograph lowering.

I've also seen a couple of what must be 700s.....I'm sure they're a major step forward but side-on in white they look a bit like, well, dare I say it, spruced up 321s. The doors aren't even flush, just like a 321. Once you're got past the sexy front end and have no livery, I suppose a train's a train.......

 

[AM9]

My uninformed opinion would be that you're correct. As I climb the stairs from the westbound Circle Line at Farringdon I often see a pantograph lowering.

I've also seen a couple of what must be 700s.....I'm sure they're a major step forward but side-on in white they look a bit like, well, dare I say it, spruced up 321s. The doors aren't even flush, just like a 321. Once you're got past the sexy front end and have no livery, I suppose a train's a train.......

Sliding doors can be made to operate faster than plug types, thereby contributing to the 700's very short dwell requirements. They don't rattle and are (so far) not likely to bang in their tracks from the pressure wave of passing trains.

 

[EssexGonzo]

Sliding doors can be made to operate faster than plug types, thereby contributing to the 700's very short dwell requirements. They don't rattle and are (so far) not likely to bang in their tracks from the pressure wave of passing trains.

Thanks for that.

As it happens, saw another today on the bridge over the M25. Still looks like a well polished 321 from a distance.