Chiltern strike timetables

[Bletchleyite]

It is cancelled, not sure where you've got the idea it isn't from. Depot staff won't be NR.

it was said at the time it would cause the closure of several depots due to the lack of signalling staff there.

So who is preventing them opening their depot?

 

[800002]

it was said at the time it would cause the closure of several depots due to the lack of signalling staff there.

So who is preventing them opening their depot?

I would suggest reading the independent story in full.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I would suggest reading the independent story in full.

It's behind either a paywall or a give-your-personal-details-away wall. If anyone has a method of accessing it that isn't that I'd be happy to read it. (I'm conscious posting it here may breach copyright).

Edit: how bizarre, it let me read it without the second time I clicked it!

Edit edit: so having read it, in summary this is the reason for no service on Sunday 18th, but is not relevant to the non-operation of any service north of Banbury even if guards report for work?

 

[800002]

Edit edit: so having read it, in summary this is the reason for no service on Sunday 18th, but is not relevant to the non-operation of any service north of Banbury even if guards report for work?

I would suggest that the full extract, relevent to the current conversation, is a little clearer.

Toc OT Ban with the RMT leads to reduced depot and maintenance staff coverage.

Don't forget the diesel element of the Chiltern Fleet. Electrics don't need additional care and attention to make sure they can come out to play.

(Same link as before)
On Sunday 18 December – the day after the second planned 48-hour strike – there will be no Chiltern Railways services on any route.

The train firm’s spokesperson said: “The overtime ban in place has put immense pressure on our train maintenance depots, and this has resulted in us having to offer a reduced service throughout the whole period of industrial action and the day after the action ends.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Thanks. So what they are saying is that the depot overtime ban means a backlog of DMU maintenance, meaning only a subset of the DMU fleet can be used, and so alongside the limited number of guards available and the problems short formations would cause they feel it best to run their core DOO network only, and not the low-use branches, occasional extensions nor the duplicative bit into Birmingham?

That is a sensible argument, but Chiltern themselves seem to be failing to explain it, and that always makes one suspicious.

 

[sammyg901]

Interesting, I hadn't scrolled to the bottom. Seems quite drastic still, you'd think over Xmas the longer distance services would be busier vs the local services that could run as shorter formations/less frequently. But only operating the DOO services does remove a guard shortage from being a potential cause of disruption

Luckily my work are fine about all of this. I've got to travel in 22nd/23rd but I can travel during the reduced hours and get a hotel. Otherwise it's a good few weeks away from the office for me! A friend did need to travel on the 18th but I can drive him to Milton Keynes / Amersham (or Bedford for road transport to Cambridge-Norwich if Great Anglia aren't running either)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Dec 2022 ==

Thanks. So what they are saying is that the depot overtime ban means a backlog of DMU maintenance, meaning only a subset of the DMU fleet can be used, and so alongside the limited number of guards available and the problems short formations would cause they feel it best to run their core DOO network only, and not the low-use branches, occasional extensions nor the duplicative bit into Birmingham?

That is a sensible argument, but Chiltern themselves seem to be failing to explain it, and that always makes one suspicious.

Yes, they seem to be very coy on their own publicity as to what is causing the disruption!

I am still surprised they aren't getting as far as Warwick Parkway - Leamington Spa & Warwick/Warwick Parkway are busy stations! Beyond there people do have options to go via Birmingham / Cross Country at least

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https://twitter.com/chilternrailway/status/1601184954095902721?

There is a graphic here showing the grades of disruption expected over the festive period

 

[Halwynd]

It's behind either a paywall or a give-your-personal-details-away wall. If anyone has a method of accessing it that isn't that I'd be happy to read it.....

I find that if a browser has a 'reader mode' it will quite often let you get past these sign-up and privacy option gateways.

Google Chrome has its own built-in reader which might work, but I use a Chrome extension called 'Reader View'. It zapped the pop-up and let me read the Independent article in full without having to create an account:

Reader View - Chrome Web Store

Removes clutter like buttons, backgrounds, adjusts text size, contrast, and layout for better readability

chrome.google.com

 

[Cowley]

I think we need to get back onto the strike timetable subject and what’s useful for people looking for information from here please.

Thanks all

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Just a warm up for the May 23 timetable so they can drive all Midlands traffic ex London back onto AWC

 

[stu]

As you might expect, this temporary timetable is going down like a lead balloon in Chiltern land!

 

[david1212]

.... Toc OT Ban with the RMT leads to reduced depot and maintenance staff coverage.

Don't forget the diesel element of the Chiltern Fleet. Electrics don't need additional care and attention to make sure they can come out to play.
...
The train firm’s spokesperson said: “The overtime ban in place has put immense pressure on our train maintenance depots, and this has resulted in us having to offer a reduced service throughout the whole period of industrial action and the day after the action ends.

Thanks. So what they are saying is that the depot overtime ban means a backlog of DMU maintenance, meaning only a subset of the DMU fleet can be used, and so alongside the limited number of guards available and the problems short formations would cause they feel it best to run their core DOO network only, and not the low-use branches, occasional extensions nor the duplicative bit into Birmingham?

That is a sensible argument, but Chiltern themselves seem to be failing to explain it, and that always makes one suspicious.

This implies that like those operators who do not employ enough drivers and guards / train managers / ... what ever other job title ... to cover their basic timetabled service without requiring overtime / rest day working Chiltern do not employ enough depot and maintenance staff to cover the scheduled work.

I am still surprised they aren't getting as far as Warwick Parkway - Leamington Spa & Warwick/Warwick Parkway are busy stations! Beyond there people do have options to go via Birmingham / Cross Country at least

All the Cross Country services that call at Leamington Spa also call at Banbury so the same options exist. Capacity is of course the issue.

AFAIK West Midland Railway now run either no or just the occasional peak service beyond Dorridge to Leamington Spa & Warwick. Chiltern not WMR also run Leamington Spa - Stratford-upon-Avon.

WMR do of course run Leamington Spa - Coventry - Nuneaton but if any issues e.g. staff or train shortage this service is often cancelled.

There are buses Warwick - Leamington Spa - Coventry and Leamington Spa - Warwick - Stratford-upon-Avon but if anything at all towards Dorridge and Solihull certainly not regular. Hence the options for Birmingham are via Coventry and via Stratford-upon-Avon.

If any bus / coach company had the vehicles and staff a Leamington Spa - Warwick - Dorridge / Solihull service on days WMR are operating ought to be profitable. The issue when WMR were not operating would be the journey time Dorridge / Solihull onward to/from Birmingham City Centre.

 

[Mikey C]

Apart from the lack of trains north of Banbury, the services south of there are also massively affected.

Taking next Tuesday for example, just THREE southbound trains on the whole network leaving their starting station before 9am, and in the evening the last train to Oxford at 20:55, and Bicester/Banbury going at 21:00.

 

[12LDA28C]

Apart from the lack of trains north of Banbury, the services south of there are also massively affected.

Taking next Tuesday for example, just THREE southbound trains on the whole network leaving their starting station before 9am, and in the evening the last train to Oxford at 20:55, and Bicester/Banbury going at 21:00.

I believe this may be due to shortage of signalling staff at various locations.

 

[barbette165]

I believe this may be due to shortage of signalling staff at various locations.

This seems a strange reason. Chiltern are not operating any services between Oxford Parkway and Oxford, whilst GWR say they expect to run a full service during the days that are not either strike days or adjacent to them.

 

[12LDA28C]

This seems a strange reason. Chiltern are not operating any services between Oxford Parkway and Oxford, whilst GWR say they expect to run a full service during the days that are not either strike days or adjacent to them.

Indeed, although since Oxford Parkway to Oxford is the only part of the Chiltern network to encroach upon TVSC's area of operation, it seems the most likely.

 

[sammyg901]

All the units come off Aylesbury depot it seems so takes a while in the morning (especially considering the ECS and service trains all need to take the single line to Princes Risborough and the ECS need to change ends and reverse north)

At least next week Banbury & Leamington Spa commuters can take Cross Country via Reading (assuming they hold the correct ticket)

Presumably Wembley, Banbury and the other depots do have some staff working, so this seems a little strange to me, surely would have been better to spread the work around & be able to get a reasonable commuter service out of Banbury at least but I'm sure they have their reasons

 

[12LDA28C]

All the units come off Aylesbury depot it seems so takes a while in the morning (especially considering the ECS and service trains all need to take the single line to Princes Risborough and the ECS need to change ends and reverse north)

At least next week Banbury & Leamington Spa commuters can take Cross Country via Reading (assuming they hold the correct ticket)

Presumably Wembley, Banbury and the other depots do have some staff working, so this seems a little strange to me, surely would have been better to spread the work around & be able to get a reasonable commuter service out of Banbury at least but I'm sure they have their reasons

Apart from the ones that come off Banbury depot.

I believe the reason Chiltern can't run ANY trains this coming Sunday is a severe shortage of train maintenance staff across their network, being as Sunday is outside the working week.

 

[sammyg901]

From looking at RTT I don't see any? 5U19 from Aylesbury (4 car) forms the first service to London - 2H19. The next service to London is formed off the first arrival from London (which was berthed in Marylebone station overnight)

In the evening the last Marylebone arrival goes to Aylesbury ECS (2x ECS to Aylesbury in the non strike timetable next week)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Dec 2022 ==




Chiltern have now updated their website - there will be abus service

• Banbury - Leamington Spa - Warwick - Warwick Parkway - Dorridge (and vice-versa)
• 1 bus every 2 hours Warwick Parkway - Hatton - Lapworth - Dorridge (and vice-versa)

They're also showing a 2036 Marylebone - Moor St service, not sure if that is a mistake but it's an STP so presumably not

 

[12LDA28C]

From looking at RTT I don't see any? 5U19 from Aylesbury (4 car) forms the first service to London - 2H19. The next service to London is formed off the first arrival from London (which was berthed in Marylebone station overnight)

Indeed although when the normal timetable is running there are booked ECS moves Banbury - Oxford in the morning and return to Banbury at night. These will not be running no doubt due to the ongoing RMT action affecting availability of maintenance staff.

 

[sammyg901]

I did notice today a VST from Birmingham (looks like they're missing a unit - the 1106 was a 2 car reported full and standing from Banbury!) and if they do run a train to Birmingham next week then it'll have to come back at some point otherwise they'll end up with quite a collection of units up there by January

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Dec 2022 ==

Indeed although when the normal timetable is running there are booked ECS moves Banbury - Oxford in the morning and return to Banbury at night. These will not be running no doubt due to the ongoing RMT action affecting availability of maintenance staff.

Yes, I was on one recently that actually went to Banbury in service via Oxford which I didn't realise was a thing

 

[Jim]

Indeed, although since Oxford Parkway to Oxford is the only part of the Chiltern network to encroach upon TVSC's area of operation, it seems the most likely.

Chiltern Website claims the following explanation:

 

[Watershed]

Chiltern Website claims the following explanation:
View attachment 125397

Whilst that's one possible explanation, I think the real reason is more likely that terminating at Oxford Parkway makes it a much less attractive prospect for Oxford passengers, which should reduce (if not eliminate) overcrowding. Perhaps I'm being too cynical there!

 

[class68fan]

I did notice today a VST from Birmingham (looks like they're missing a unit - the 1106 was a 2 car reported full and standing from Banbury!) and if they do run a train to Birmingham next week then it'll have to come back at some point otherwise they'll end up with quite a collection of units up there by January

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Dec 2022 ==



Yes, I was on one recently that actually went to Banbury in service via Oxford which I didn't realise was a thing

They been running passenger trains, only a few, for long time.

 

[12LDA28C]

They're also showing a 2036 Marylebone - Moor St service, not sure if that is a mistake but it's an STP so presumably not

This train will not be running

 

[Taunton]

One wonders whether Mr Shooter would have tolerated all this ...

 

[sammyg901]

Whilst that's one possible explanation, I think the real reason is more likely that terminating at Oxford Parkway makes it a much less attractive prospect for Oxford passengers, which should reduce (if not eliminate) overcrowding. Perhaps I'm being too cynical there!

 

[Andyjs247]

One wonders whether Mr Shooter would have tolerated all this ...

Chiltern have now abandoned running trains to Oxford and Birmingham for the rest of 2022 - I very much doubt Adrian Shooter would have sanctioned this.

In the special timetable for this week bus connections are shown Banbury - Dorridge; the earliest you can get to Moor Street with Chiltern is 1230 having left Marylebone at 0810! Unbelievable.

 

[12LDA28C]

Chiltern have now abandoned running trains to Oxford and Birmingham for the rest of 2022 - I very much doubt Adrian Shooter would have sanctioned this.

In the special timetable for this week bus connections are shown Banbury - Dorridge; the earliest you can get to Moor Street with Chiltern is 1230 having left Marylebone at 0810! Unbelievable.

There were many things that Adrian Shooter would have had control over if he were still in charge at Chiltern - industrial action and a chronic shortage of serviceable trains probably wouldn't have been two of them.

 

[Andyjs247]

I don’t really get this chronic shortage; Chiltern had a 9-car 165/168 set out on Saturday (2+3+4). However they have chosen to release 4x172/1 sets and also to convert a 168 2-car set into a non-standard battery hybrid that is often not available. Whether that was sensible is moot. Either way Chiltern now seem to have effectively given up trying to run a usable service.

 

[12LDA28C]

I don’t really get this chronic shortage; Chiltern had a 9-car 165/168 set out on Saturday (2+3+4). However they have chosen to release 4x172/1 sets and also to convert a 168 2-car set into a non-standard battery hybrid that is often not available. Whether that was sensible is moot. Either way Chiltern now seem to have effectively given up trying to run a usable service.

I don't think they chose to release the 172s (or the slam-door loco-hauled set) and the hybrid unit(s) are an attempt to find a more environmentally friendly option as it is clear that electrification is not currently on the agenda.

If you know of somewhere that can readily supply parts at short notice for a 30-year old fleet of diesel units then I suggest you let Chiltern's fleet department know ASAP, as I'm sure they would welcome the advice.