Failed Unit
Established Member
Last night was the classic case of a rock in a hard place for the railway,
At about 2320 a trespasser was reported on the line at Kings Cross (understand heading into the gasworks tunnel). The power was turned off while the trespasser was apprehended and all trains stood. Included 2 at Finsbury Park which I understand was a bit messy as a major event had just kicked out there.
I has on the 2327 Kings Cross - Cambridge service and the drive told us about this incident - then we waited.
At about 0015 we were asked to leave the train and return to the platform - not really sure why as people were generally calm and comfortable to sit it out, but apparently this request was made by the British Transport police.
At about 0045 we were told that the power was restored, and that trains would be moving again soon. A few empty coaching stock left, then the 2333 LNER service to Leeds, but not much else moved. Trains stranded such as the Peterborough and Ex Moorgate went north. But most southbound trains didn’t move. It was about 0130 before the first one from the north which had stood at Finsbury Park arrived.
At 0205 The 2327 Kings Cross - Cambridge left with the same train and drive we had asked to leave.
Does anyone know why it took so long to move the majority of the trains, I know restoring power isn’t turning on a switch, but it seemed to take ages from what were told to when the majority of trains started moving again.
Was the lack of information probably because it was so late at night? Thin control rooms as the service was closing down. That was the biggest complaint on the station. We didn’t know should we go use another route, I guess it is impossible to know how long such an incident would take to clear, but I certainly would have gone to St Albans had I know it would be 2h30 before trains would move, with the risk of not finding any taxis on Friday night.
Just interested if anyone knows (and can say) what was happening in the background. I know the situation changes quickly, but when we were told the suspect was apprehended and the power was restored everyone was surprised that it was a good hour before we heard anything else. One thing I do notice is the railway stops if it gets a trespasser when the M25 just stays open with a speed limit. (Unless they have climbed a structure) Better rules for the motorways
Still also not sure why we all had to leave the train, everyone was happier on it then the concourse. The driver was also proving better information then the stations was.
At about 2320 a trespasser was reported on the line at Kings Cross (understand heading into the gasworks tunnel). The power was turned off while the trespasser was apprehended and all trains stood. Included 2 at Finsbury Park which I understand was a bit messy as a major event had just kicked out there.
I has on the 2327 Kings Cross - Cambridge service and the drive told us about this incident - then we waited.
At about 0015 we were asked to leave the train and return to the platform - not really sure why as people were generally calm and comfortable to sit it out, but apparently this request was made by the British Transport police.
At about 0045 we were told that the power was restored, and that trains would be moving again soon. A few empty coaching stock left, then the 2333 LNER service to Leeds, but not much else moved. Trains stranded such as the Peterborough and Ex Moorgate went north. But most southbound trains didn’t move. It was about 0130 before the first one from the north which had stood at Finsbury Park arrived.
At 0205 The 2327 Kings Cross - Cambridge left with the same train and drive we had asked to leave.
Does anyone know why it took so long to move the majority of the trains, I know restoring power isn’t turning on a switch, but it seemed to take ages from what were told to when the majority of trains started moving again.
Was the lack of information probably because it was so late at night? Thin control rooms as the service was closing down. That was the biggest complaint on the station. We didn’t know should we go use another route, I guess it is impossible to know how long such an incident would take to clear, but I certainly would have gone to St Albans had I know it would be 2h30 before trains would move, with the risk of not finding any taxis on Friday night.
Just interested if anyone knows (and can say) what was happening in the background. I know the situation changes quickly, but when we were told the suspect was apprehended and the power was restored everyone was surprised that it was a good hour before we heard anything else. One thing I do notice is the railway stops if it gets a trespasser when the M25 just stays open with a speed limit. (Unless they have climbed a structure) Better rules for the motorways
Still also not sure why we all had to leave the train, everyone was happier on it then the concourse. The driver was also proving better information then the stations was.
