GA meltdown Friday 10/11/17

[jamesontheroad]

I had a very lucky escape from an operational meltdown on GA last night.

Boarded the 19:30 LST-NRW, but this was cancelled shortly before departure. Cue a stampede round to platform 12 for the equally busy 20:00 LST-NRW which was standing room only until north of Ipswich.

The stocking forming the 19:30 left ECS before we did, and we caught it up at Diss, where it was parked in the down platform. We came into the up platform where (after 15-20 minutes) the train was terminated due to a track defect. This was announced on Twitter just before 22:00, about 5 minutes before the crew announced it.

I was VERY lucky to be standing in the right place at the right time on the platform as local taxis were given the ok to start ferrying passengers to Norwich. There were only three cars available at first. GA Twitter said they were trying to source buses but I heard nothing more. I reckon 300-400 people queuing on the platform as we sped off.

From Twitter I understand the following trains to NRW were various cancelled at Ipswich or returned to London. I believe some may have transferred at Diss once the line re-opened.

Can anyone fill in the gaps?

 

[SpacePhoenix]

According to RTT the 19:30 London Liverpool Street - Norwich was cancelled due to disorder (VA)

 

[jamesontheroad]

According to RTT the 19:30 London Liverpool Street - Norwich was cancelled due to disorder (VA)

Announcement to passengers was lack of crew.

 

[dk1]

Guard couldn't work 19:30 so train was cancelled at short notice & set worked back ECS behind 19:38 Colchester Town only to get caught behind a Crewe to Felixstowe liner then stopped at Diss due to new measurement train finding serious track defects up ahead which later turned out to be false alarm. Job stopped for two plus hours. ECS in down platform was opened up as a waiting room whilst the next arriving set from London was turned round and sent back up road. No RR transport available apart from the odd taxi.

 

[BestWestern]

Guard assaulted on previous service and off the job? Disorder/lack of crew would suggest something along those lines?

 

[dk1]

Guard assaulted on previous service and off the job? Disorder/lack of crew would suggest something along those lines?

No, wasn't assaulted. Was an operational incident.

 

[BestWestern]

No, wasn't assaulted. Was an operational incident.

Ah. No disorder then!

 

[dk1]

Ah. No disorder then!

No, that came later when the natives where getting restless & cold at Diss.

 

[BestWestern]

No, that came later when the natives where getting restless & cold at Diss.

'Diss-order', then...

I'll get me anorak!

 

[306024]

The 21.30 Liverpool St to Norwich was held at Colchester due to the Diss incident. The 22.00 Liverpool St to Ipswich sneeked past it, but only the fleet of foot made the cross platform connection. While it is understandable to hold trains in platforms where possible, holding a train 40 miles away takes some explaining to passengers, especially when they are too irate to listen.

 

[greyman42]

No, wasn't assaulted. Was an operational incident.

Just a complete lie then.

 

[Darandio]

Just a complete lie then.

disorder noun a state of confusion.

Doesn't seem like a complete lie at all to me. In fact, it sums up GA quite accurately.

 

[dk1]

Just a complete lie then.

Possibly, maybe or no idea. Who are you suggesting told a fib?

 

[greyman42]

R.T.T. told the lie.

 

[dk1]

R.T.T. told the lie.

To be fair disorder was the root cause which lead to the operational incident so it was quite true.

 

[greyman42]

I think posts 6 and 7 were perhaps being a bit sarcastic and I have not picked up on it.

 

[dk1]

I think posts 6 and 7 were perhaps being a bit sarcastic and I have not picked up on it.

No worries mate. All in all it was not a good shift last night.

 

[Master29]

'Diss-order', then...

I'll get me anorak!

I was going to ask if the offender will be Diss aplined at all.

 

[bb21]

Just a complete lie then.

No one told a lie. It was probably incorrect attribution at the beginning.

 

[dk1]

No one told a lie. It was probably incorrect attribution at the beginning.

He did say that.

 

[jamesontheroad]

Out of interest, is the record of the NMT that raised the false alarm of the track defect?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H20143/2017/11/10/advanced

 

[dk1]

Out of interest, is the record of the NMT that raised the false alarm of the track defect?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H20143/2017/11/10/advanced

Darn thing. If only the 19:30 had ran as booked we'd be ahead of this from Ipswich & could have passed over the alleged 'serious track defects' at 100mph & been home on time

 

[jamesontheroad]

I was going to ask if the offender will be Diss aplined at all.

Norfolk's were given.