MML Problems between Bedford and Wellingborough, possible line closure.

[duffield]

National rail reporting the following:

There are urgent repairs to the railway required near Wellingborough between Kettering and Bedford disrupting our trains on the Sheffield/Nottingham/London and Corby/London routes.

The damage to the railway means that trains have to run at a reduced speed in this area to make sure trains run safely. Due to this speed restriction, congestion and severe delays are expected to services travelling in the Southbound direction and so East Midlands Railway have to run reduced services to allow for the congestion this will cause.

Network Rail have a specialist team carrying out the repairs and have advised that the equipment needed will be on site from approximately 11:00 and so the line may need to close completely. If this happens then it will cause further disruption in both directions as more services would need to be cancelled.

There is currently no estimate of when repairs are expected to be completed.

Anyone know any more details?

Update: It now sounds as if they may avoid a complete line closure.

Network Rail have a specialist team on site carrying out the repairs. They have advised that the equipment needed to fix the issue will be on site from approximately 11:00 and so at this time, East Midlands Railway may need to cancel more trains to allow them to close an extra line to complete the works. If this happens then it will cause further disruption in both directions as more services would need to be cancelled.

 

[Mikw]

The "no estimate" on repairs is a bit concerning. I'd like to know myself too as i'm supposed to be travelling tomorrow.

 

[duffield]

The "no estimate" on repairs is a bit concerning. I'd like to know myself too as i'm supposed to be travelling tomorrow.

I'd think that would be normal for something that's only just come to notice. Sounds like we'll know more by this afternoon.

My sister is currently on her way from Exeter to Nottingham via London (she would usually go via Birmingham on Crosscountry but Taunton to Bristol is closed!). I've warned her to expect disruption.

Update: The "30 minute delays" reported by National Rail (and the EMR website) in the southbound direction seem to be non-existent at the moment.
1B28, the 09:12 Nottingham to St. Pancras has just passed through Kettering to Bedford with no delays. Northbound services also currently not being delayed.

 

[Spartacus]

Trains are diverting onto the slows briefly where needed, minimal disruption really, though EMR are still cancelling some trains.

 

[Verulamius]

Looking at Traksy the problem seems to be between Wellingborough North Junction and Harrowden Junction on the up fast only.

1C32 has just been signalled from the up fast to the down slow at Harrowden and then back to the up fast at North Junction.

So it seems fairly straightforward to cope with the issue given the junctions close by.

 

[duffield]

Looking at Traksy the problem seems to be between Wellingborough North Junction and Harrowden Junction on the up fast only.

1C32 has just been signalled from the up fast to the down slow at Harrowden and then back to the up fast at North Junction.

So it seems fairly straightforward to cope with the issue given the junctions close by."

National Rail is still saying that when Network Rail's "equipment" arrives at "approximately 11:00" further line closures may be needed, presumably the down fast.

 

[louis97]

Sinkhole between the up fast and down slow just north of Wellingborough North Junction apparently

 

[Whistler40145]

That's not good news

 

[eastwestdivide]

I’ve just passed through Wellingboro on a southbound 222, fast line all the way, but we slowed for a 20(?) mph temporary restriction just near the station, then carried on. I think 20 - only just glimpsed the yellow board. Also slowed a bit N of Wellingboro possibly due to a Corby train ahead of us. Lost maybe a minute or two by Bedford (and now going like the clappers and clawing the time back)

 

[duffield]

I'm guessing NR have examined the sinkhole and decided it's not an immediate risk?

Some of the earlier cancellations EMR had listed (e.g. my sister's 1D43, the 1335 from St. Pancras to Nottingham) have been reinstated (although not showing on RTT, but that's not unexpected).