Possible disruption 19th September?

[800001]

4 am special from Plymouth been at Bedwyn for last 2 and half hours. 3am special from Penzance went via Chippenham so ”only” 80 mins late and terminating at Reading it appears. You’d be absolutely gutted if you on them


Looks like power is completely off. 0627 from Paddington to Reading had only literally gone a few yards! Looks like trains will be evacuated that are close to Paddington

Multiple stranded trains, several evacuated already, a set in station is going as 1Z99 to evacuate the train immediately outside of station.

 

[43096]

You can see why the Royal train has had no use over the last 12 days. King George VI's coffin was transported from London to Windsor by train from Paddington on the day of his funeral. It's a very good thing that this wasn't the plan for today.

 

[Tangent]

If the Queen's service had taken place in St George's Chapel, as with most recent monarch's, this would have been much, much worse, potentially.

 

[74A]

Lines are likely to be closed for the remainder of the day

 

[PeteFLT]

Looks like GWR have managed to lay a 2x2 car 16x on to the Windsor Branch. Will be a shame if there’s nothing at Slough for it to connect

 

[Western Sunset]

The coffin of George VI travelled by train from Padd to Windsor, back in 1952.

 

[ExRes]

The coffin of George VI travelled by train from Padd to Windsor, back in 1952.

Has it arrived yet?

 

[Mike Redding]

Has it arrived yet?

 

[800001]

A diesel operated shuttle is being introduced Reading to Slough.

 

[fandroid]

Waterloo - Windsor line was already going to be busy. With the Paddington-Slough route out of action it will have to take extra numbers. I'm hoping that trains out of Paddington tomorrow morning won't be taking massive spillovers from today as I have an urgent trip booked.

The BBC reports that a person was hit by a train between Reading and Newbury. That probably explains the earlier delays to trains from Plymouth and the south west.

 

[philosopher]

Waterloo - Windsor line was already going to be busy. With the Paddington-Slough route out of action it will have to take extra numbers. I'm hoping that trains out of Paddington tomorrow morning won't be taking massive spillovers from today as I have an urgent trip booked.

The Great Western Mainline within Greater London does seem just about the worst place a major incident could occur today given the numbers who will be travelling to Windsor today.

 

[embers25]

Given all IEP can run on diesel I dont get why nothing can run once the wires are isolated and cleared from the track, if needed.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Given all IEP can run on diesel I dont get why nothing can run once the wires are isolated and cleared from the track, if needed.

Efforts are currently being made to start a diesel shuttle Reading-Slough. If you consider there will be multiple electric-only services (387s, 345s etc) mixed in amongst the stopped trains, its not as simple as everything just switching to diesel and setting off again.

 

[dk1]

Given all IEP can run on diesel I dont get why nothing can run once the wires are isolated and cleared from the track, if needed.

As long as they go through to London then yes, it wouldn’t be wise for those intending passengers to go to Slough with the hope of non existent onward travel.

 

[embers25]

Forgot HEx use mainline too...rather major oversight!

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Forgot HEx use mainline too...rather major oversight!

As do fast GWR services to Newbury.

 

[class ep-09]

Efforts are currently being made to start a diesel shuttle Reading-Slough. If you consider there will be multiple electric-only services (387s, 345s etc) mixed in amongst the stopped trains, its not as simple as everything just switching to diesel and setting off again.

It’d make sense to use trains coming from North Cots as as the shuttle as they are booked to call at Slough anyway.

Any pure electric trains west of Maidenhead can under the “juice” to get out of the way as that section has not been isolated .

 

[christopher]

And people were wondering why the Royal Train wasn't used...

 

[43066]

And people were wondering why the Royal Train wasn't used...

Yes. All rather unfortunate, really!

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

Not connected in any way of course, but 25 years ago today, the GWML east of Slough was completely blocked under very different circumstances. There must be a hex on this date.

 

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

And people were wondering why the Royal Train wasn't used...

There could just as easily have been a major RTC on the A4 or A30 which blocked the route the hearse will take later. If the Royal Train had been part of the plan I am sure there would have been a contingency exactly for this type of occurrence (plus a very close inspection of the wiring in the run up).

It is a shame that potentially many people will have missed out on being part of this historic event because of this.

 

[Taplowgreen]

Perhaps had the "very close inspection of the wiring in the runup" taken place, we would not be in the situation we are today.

 

[Parkway]

Apologies for the ignorant question, but as Hayes and Harlington is 4-track, why is it necessary for all four tracks to be effectively out of action for such a long time? Is this a safety issue (to protect those repairing the damage), or something inherent in the mast design in this area?

 

[800001]

Apologies for the ignorant question, but as Hayes and Harlington is 4-track, why is it necessary for all four tracks to be effectively out of action for such a long time? Is this a safety issue (to protect those repairing the damage), or something inherent in the mast design in this area?

The overhead wires in that area are on a head span, so wires for all 4 lines are hung together.
Depending on damage it may affect all 4 lines.
Priority for NWR is still to move stranded trains.

 

[Hophead]

The BBC report states Network Rail sources as saying that "two miles (3.2 km) of electrical lines had been damaged around Hayes and Harlington station."

 

[Busaholic]

Although the TOCs all seem to be doing everything they can to suitably handle the extra footfall, the passenger count is going to be huge and with limited resources available, there will be problems somewhere. If it was at all possible, I'd reschedule my trip.

A prophetic post if ever there was!

 

[Ashley Hill]

1K01 0534 Bedwyn-Pad 800024 reported a loud bang approaching Southall before coming to a stand.

 

[Pakenhamtrain]

Perhaps had the "very close inspection of the wiring in the runup" taken place, we would not be in the situation we are today.

Still no guarantee there wouldn't be an issue. Doesn't take much for a pantograph to get damaged nor the wire.

 

[GordonT]

Further bad news. "Due to a police request between Windsor & Eton Riverside and Datchet all lines are blocked."

 

[800001]

Further bad news. "Due to a police request between Windsor & Eton Riverside and Datchet all lines are blocked.

Most likely as that will the route the Queens hearse will drive, on the way to the Long Walk at Windsor.

Update, Datchet level crossing is closed as part of Operation London Bridge.