Heat related issues (25 July 2019 and subsequent days)

[causton]

They were still on there as of 1620 I hear. Apparently First Class were let off onto 1A26(?) but the rest of the pax kept on.

Definitely 1A28. Apparently only 55 passengers were left behind and they have been taken away on foot to await road transport.

 

[700007]

Please can we take a moment to think of, and thank our hardworking colleagues at every TOC today, Network Rail and the British Transport Police who are really stretched and trying to move heaven and earth against all odds to keep us moving today. Well done and thank you.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Not much use if you have to work

Or have a need to go for a medical appointment , airport , funeral. I know of people who are doing all this today. Individually.

 

[tsr]

Considering they've been stuck on the train 3 hours, why didn't they do that sooner??

In this case an evacuation train was identified quickly and I believe it was hoped this would be quicker and safer. There were also some people who were identified as being unlikely to be able to walk trackside.

 

[big_dirt]

So it sounds like wires sagging, - maybe caused by one or more droppers failing. There would have been a flashover when the sagging wire(s) touched something that was grounded (most likely a train) and a spark or two has caused a grass fire. The flashover isn't an 'explosion' and probably wouldn't have caused much more damage than some pitting of the wires at the point of contact before the feeder switchgear removed the supply.

Do you think they will be back to normal tomorrow? I am flying out of Luton.

 

[underbank]

In this case an evacuation train was identified quickly and I believe it was hoped this would be quicker and safer. There were also some people who were identified as being unlikely to be able to walk trackside.

Does it really take over 2 hours to evacuate one train to another?

 

[tsr]

Does it really take over 2 hours to evacuate one train to another?

Not normally, no. I’ve known it done in 15 minutes with a fairly busy train.

 

[Saint66]

MML unable to get ticket acceptance on either ECML or WCML due to issues on both. Blanket advice of do not travel as you would expect.

 

[gazzaa2]

Considering they've been stuck on the train 3 hours, why didn't they do that sooner??

3 hours is unacceptable. There needs to be quicker turnarounds with evacuation.

 

[FrodshamJnct]

Definitely 1A28. Apparently only 55 passengers were left behind and they have been taken away on foot to await road transport.

Pax definitely still on there around 1630 so good to hear they’re finally off.

 

[gazzaa2]

Please can we take a moment to think of, and thank our hardworking colleagues at every TOC today, Network Rail and the British Transport Police who are really stretched and trying to move heaven and earth against all odds to keep us moving today. Well done and thank you.

Heroes. So many doing a fantastic job in trying circumstances.

 

[FrodshamJnct]

3 hours is unacceptable. There needs to be quicker turnarounds with evacuation.

Yeah. Hearing what I’m hearing from a person who has 3 members of their team stuck it’s hell on Earth.

 

[big_dirt]

Heroes. So many doing a fantastic job in trying circumstances.

Don't look onto twitter. I know it attracts a large number of idiots, but many of them are being extremely uncomplimentary.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Not normally, no. I’ve known it done in 15 minutes with a fairly busy train.

Every case is different for various and obvious reasons. The industry is a heck of a lot more aware of the issues than in the past. There will no doubt be a review on this one , I know - I have chaired a few o them when we did not perform as well as we should have , in the past.

 

[westv]

Kings X at a standstill.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Do you think they will be back to normal tomorrow? I am flying out of Luton.

The key question is "what time" ? - remember with problems at Camden , Belsize Park , West Anglia and Great Northern - there are severe pressures on OLE team resources this evening and overnight.

 

[Bromley boy]

Please can we take a moment to think of, and thank our hardworking colleagues at every TOC today, Network Rail and the British Transport Police who are really stretched and trying to move heaven and earth against all odds to keep us moving today. Well done and thank you.

Where is the like button?!

Fantastic post.

 

[FrodshamJnct]

Where is the like button?!

Fantastic post.

Yeah fair play to them. Easy to forget what they do on days like today amidst all the frustration and anger.

 

[Silver Cobra]

Currently at Stevenage, with an Azuma sat on platform 2 (1604 departure to Kings Cross) and an HST on platform 4 (Aberdeen service). Looks like the ECML is at just as much of a standstill as the MML/WCML.

 

[bramling]

What a sensible suggestion!

All in all it’s a great week not to be at work.

Or for it to be one’s once-a-year week of early turns. I had a lovely journey in (at, er, 0440), and the journey home wasn’t too bad - albeit it could be seen the job was in the early stages of going up the wall.

Surprisingly, from my observations there were quite a few family day outs to London in progress. Bet a few of these may be regretting it now.

Still, what was predicted by various people on here proved to be bang on the money.

 

[danpick]

1E16 1300 Edinburgh - Kings Cross sat down at Retford, KGX Thunderbird being sent to rescue it. 1F87 1559 Peterborough - Newcastle at a stand at Peterborough having had wires come down on it.

 

[danpick]

Diverted via the old road

Thank you for the info, much appreciated.

 

[Saint66]

ECML blocked between Stevenage and Grantham for now.

 

[vinnym70]

The key question is "what time" ? - remember with problems at Camden , Belsize Park , West Anglia and Great Northern - there are severe pressures on OLE team resources this evening and overnight.

Few thunderstorms into the evening as well and I'd guess all bets for tomorrow are looking dicey.

 

[FrodshamJnct]

Are the widespread OHLE problems today due to the weather (slacker wires due to the heat so more likely to come down?) Or is it just coincidence? If it’s a stupid question then apologies!

 

[LowLevel]

It's all going completely wrong all over - definitely a case of avoid if possible. Traincrews now refusing to work on trains with failed/no air con as on board temperatures are over 40 degrees. GA 170s all stood down as they're unable to cope with the heat (always been an issue with this class of unit).

I've been working on a class 156 this afternoon and I feel physically sick.

 

[godfreycomplex]

Please can we take a moment to think of, and thank our hardworking colleagues at every TOC today, Network Rail and the British Transport Police who are really stretched and trying to move heaven and earth against all odds to keep us moving today. Well done and thank you.

Much appreciated, and you’re very welcome, thanks for the post.
Thoughts to everyone else working hard.

 

[SilentGrade]

Do you think they will be back to normal tomorrow? I am flying out of Luton.

Would depend on when and where from

 

[louis97]

The lineside fire was caused by the OHLE collapse at Belsize Tunnels, but has now been extinguished.

Fires were still burning when I was evacuated about 25-30 minutes ago.

 

[gavin]

LNER telling people not to travel today all lines blocked at Peterborough