Euston closed (power outage) and other stories...

[WatcherZero]

Electrical fire in signalling cables, looks like theres some dry brush on top.

 

[Mag_seven]

Good idea but its too long for the platform so thats no ideal plus how do people from london get there?

Eh! the platforms are long enough at WFJ to accommodate the CS.

 

[NSEFAN]

CS are now preparing the stock (albeit with delays) for 1S25, the Highland Sleeper, which has a booked call to pick up passengers at Watford Junction.

As for getting to Watford, that's rather tricky right now. Shuttle bus from Watford Met?

Oh if only there were a link between Watford Junction and central London via the Chiltern line.

 

[robbeech]

I'd also wonder if they could start the sleeper (maybe the lowland later) from King's Cross. Are there oaths at that time of night? I could understand there not being at the time the highlander leaves.

 

[DarloRich]

Tbh I think the sleeper might be about no.34225 on the list of issues right now.......

 

[Scotrail84]

Eh! the platforms are long enough at WFJ to accommodate the CS.

Not they are not! At least 3 coaches off both north and southbound.

 

[Mag_seven]

Not they are not! At least 3 coaches off both north and southbound.

Both the northbound highland and southbound lowland stop at WFJ so even if there are coaches off the platform its incorrect to state it cannot start at WFJ.

 

[Scotrail84]

It would appear that bits of the ECS move are currently forming up at Wembley.

It shouldn't need forming up unless there was a duff coach to come out or unless they're removing coaches to enable them to start it from KGX (can only take a load 12 there)

 

[Blindtraveler]

Creddit where due to all staff today, glad I didnt go south as I was thinking of doing!

Is it true the ECML fell over for a short while in the usual place earlier? I was in Newcastle and heard something about it but my 91 was dead on time.

 

[Scotrail84]

Both the northbound highland and southbound lowland stop at WFJ so even if there are coaches off the platform its incorrect to state it cannot start at WFJ.

Trust me, I well aware of that. It won't be starting at Watford Jn I'm sure of that.

 

[tsr]

Signalling restored. Euston remains closed - lighting not up to scratch.

 

[TimboM]

It shouldn't need forming up unless there was a duff coach to come out or unless they're removing coaches to enable them to start it from KGX (can only take a load 12 there)

Thought they were able to get up to 15 coaches in Kings across during Lamington (or at least 13)?

 

[BlueFox]

I'm on a London to Glasgow service that was started from Preston instead of Euston. There was an announcement on the train that tickets will be valid all day tomorrow for anyone who abandoned their journey to London and is now heading home.

 

[Scotrail84]

Thought they were able to get up to 15 coaches in Kings across during Lamington (or at least 13)?

12 mate, plus a loco at each end.

 

[OFFDN]

CS expected to depart Euston as normal.

Southern WLL suspended for the rest of today.

 

[tsr]

Good idea but its too long for the platform so thats no ideal plus how do people from london get there?

Eh! the platforms are long enough at WFJ to accommodate the CS.

Not they are not! At least 3 coaches off both north and southbound.

Both the northbound highland and southbound lowland stop at WFJ so even if there are coaches off the platform its incorrect to state it cannot start at WFJ.

Trains start in service every day from stations where the full train cannot be accommodated by the platform. It's not especially unusual. I've dealt with it on many an occasion. It can be tricky with luggage / accessibility requirements but where there's a will, there's a way.

It shouldn't need forming up unless there was a duff coach to come out or unless they're removing coaches to enable them to start it from KGX (can only take a load 12 there)

I'm not talking about shunting coaches into a different order. The full consist, including locomotives, needs to be in position and coupled up before it can head into Euston. It would appear that some of the required movements have been taking place.

Trust me, I well aware of that. It won't be starting at Watford Jn I'm sure of that.

So we've gone from "no ideal" [sic] to "it won't be starting at Watford Jn". Out of interest, how sure would you be?

In any case, given the news just in, Euston might reopen in time. We shall see.

EDIT: Aha, I see OFFDN has just posted the same...

 

[TimboM]

I'm currently on a pendolino Virgin rustled up from somewhere - came in ECS from North end of Nuneaton and now running to Glasgow stopping at most major stations (including additional stops at Stafford and Crewe).

Didn't seem to be very much else LM or VT running from Nuneaton so pleased this popped up from nowhere.

Despite all the chaos, there must be about 20 of us on this 11 coach train - I have Coach E to myself currently...

EDIT: Managed to track it down - technically 1S82 16:30 Euston to Glasgow running c.50L and only starting at Nuneaton (with additional stops at Stafford and Crewe).

 

[MadCommuter]

CS has tweeted that their services are expected to run as normal tonight.

 

[TimboM]

12 mate, plus a loco at each end.

Fair do's - looks like Euston will be patched up in time after all, so should be able to stick to Plan A (ish)

 

[captainbigun]

Putting aside the fact that Euston should be available. Exactly how would you get the stock out of Wembley given the route is essentially blocked?

 

[JamesP]

I'm currently on a pendolino Virgin rustled up from somewhere - came in ECS from North end of Nuneaton and now running to Glasgow stopping at most major stations (including additional stops at Stafford and Crewe).

Didn't seem to be very much else LM or VT running from Nuneaton so pleased this popped up from nowhere.

Despite all the chaos, there must be about 20 of us on this 11 coach train - I have Coach E to myself currently...

EDIT: Managed to track it down - technically 1S82 16:30 Euston to Glasgow running c.50L and only starting at Nuneaton (with additional stops at Stafford and Crewe).

I got on 1D89 at Crewe, the 16:49 to Chester which had been started from Milton Keynes, of the 5 coaches I reckon at least 3 were completely empty when it arrived at Crewe. We were then 20-odd minutes late leaving due to waiting for both a Train Manager and a Driver who'd been delayed en route.

 

[GW43125]

Putting aside the fact that Euston should be available. Exactly how would you get the stock out of Wembley given the route is essentially blocked?

Depends where it's dead.

If it's only south of Wembley, then it can go out the north end.

 

[tsr]

Euston might open in the next quarter of an hour or so, with options being looked at to escort passengers safely around the station.

 

[TimboM]

I got on 1D89 at Crewe, the 16:49 to Chester which had been started from Milton Keynes, of the 5 coaches I reckon at least 3 were completely empty when it arrived at Crewe. We were then 20-odd minutes late leaving due to waiting for both a Train Manager and a Driver who'd been delayed en route.

Don't know where everyone's gone too! Probably still stuck in stations / London.

Although at Euston and St Pancras they were telling people for Manchester etc to go via ECML and Leeds/York. I just took the option in these sorts of scenarios of getting on the next thing running going in vaguely the right direction...!

 

[GW43125]

Looking at Traksy, there seem to be a lot of trains being turned short or about three hours late, take 1A42 for example: Rugeley to Rugby in 236 mins vice 21!
EDIT-that appears to have been turned at Rugby.

About 30 mins ago, I counted a grand total of three passenger trains between Euston and Leighton Buzzard. Doesn't sound much like fun.

 

[D1009]

Depends where it's dead.

If it's only south of Wembley, then it can go out the north end.

Freights have continued to run from the WCML at Harlesden to the NLL at Kensal Green Jn.

 

[Merseysider]

Currently at Coventry - there's a Pendo stuck in P3 that's been there for a while. Have a feeling it's the 1731 southbound.

Virgin staff out in numbers, which is good to see. Had one LM leave a few mins ago for Northampton, mostly empty.

I feel very sorry for anyone with a flight out of London, especially so if their English is limited. Must be a nightmare for them.

 

[GW43125]

Currently at Coventry - there's a Pendo stuck in P3 that's been there for a while. Have a feeling it's the 1731 southbound.

Virgin staff out in numbers, which is good to see. Had one LM leave a few mins ago for Northampton, mostly empty.

I feel very sorry for anyone with a flight out of London, especially so if their English is limited. Must be a nightmare for them.

Traksy reports that as being 9S97: the now overdue 17:43 EUS-GLC; was supposed to leave Coventry at 18:42

VTWC's social media team seem to be, as ever, doing a pretty good job given the circumstances.

 

[All Line Rover]

First train has just left Euston: 19:00 to Manchester departed at 19:40.

 

[Merseysider]

Traksy reports that as being 9S97: the now overdue 17:43 EUS-GLC; was supposed to leave Coventry at 18:42

VTWC's social media team seem to be, as ever, doing a pretty good job given the circumstances.

Ah, nice one. Guess it's just waiting for staff then. The 1927 Cov-Man I'm now on is packed to the brim and by the sound of things is carrying several passengers from London.

London Midland's social media team is sticking around until 8pm due to the disruption - arguably they might be needed later than this.

Depending where thats based they may not be able to get home either.

That's a good point.