Storm Darragh - 6/7th Dec

[mtmikethom]

GA are suggesting it’s just after leaving Marks Tey, Open Trains has a 1Z99 in the loop at Marks Tey, don’t know if it’s is correct or relevant regarding Wivenswolds post….Edit not too much damage it seems unit now on way back to Depot

 

[cadder toad]

Tree falls on train - BBC Report here

Amber warning as Storm Darragh hits Scotland

The south-west of the country is expected to be worst affected as Storm Darragh reaches Scotland.

www.bbc.co.uk

"A tree fell onto a train on the Stranraer line"

The report continues

"Scotrail said services on the Stranraer line between Girvan and Ayr were disrupted by a tree on the tracks, with Network Rail sending a chainsaw team to the site."

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Here in St Albans been very wild all day , and still is. Recycling bins took a trip up the road for example.

My wife went to Watford by car with the intention of a family catch up at a place near New St. Despite the 0931 / 1031 Avanti cape - she got the 4 car 1038 slow which coupled another 4 at Northampton (taking Avanti pax as well) ,and ran well with happy , sociable travellers . She got a 50 or so late Avanti back , which made all calls planned- so no compaints at all.

Other family members travelled on X-City south , from Southport , Liverpool Lime St , Huddersfield , North London -and all made it , just the Hereford and Abergavenny contingent unsurprisingly chose not to travel. XC south and the Liverpool travellers planning on using St Michaels had tree issues but worked round it (for return trip using XC South - they had to get a bus)

A good time was had by all.......

 

[800001]

TfW have completely given up on tomorrow, which I feel is extremely poor form. Nothing Newport - Shrewsbury till Monday morning. Really frustrating personally. Anyone know why they throw in the towel at the first opportunity? Or anything else in this specific case? Cheers

How do you know they have ‘thrown in the towel’?

Have NWR ensured that the lines are free of obstructions? Without that being undertaken TFW can’t run trains.

Edit- Tweet below from NWR stating majority of lines in wales need to be checked, hence no service Sunday.
As and when lines checked, then services can be restored.

Also attached is a photo from tweet.

x.com

x.com

 

[Dave S 56F]

I was in Wakefield Westgate this morning waiting for the 06:13am from doncaster to Leeds I had come back from London the previous night on a nat express coach up through Leicester Notts Mansfield and Barnsley after doing a railtour to Bath on Friday.
And I noticed on the M1 on board the coach the weather was very wild windy and blustery showers and a road smash had nearly closed the N bound Lanes nr Luton as well.
Anyhow I went from wake kirkgate on the Sheffield Leeds express instead of wake westgate and had to walk it that took me half a hour through wake city centre due to overunning engineering works and O.L.E. was damaged somewhere near Doncaster area and all trains north south of wakefield westgate were severely delayed or cancelled lner X.C. and northern and got to Leeds to catch a T.P.E. back to huddersfield and was late by a hour and half and understood as well that storm darragh had caused alot of travel chaos yet again just after the storm Bert over a week ago as well .

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Tree falls onto a train - Stranraer line - scroll down link for image

Amber warning as Storm Darragh hits Scotland

The south-west of the country is expected to be worst affected as Storm Darragh reaches Scotland.

www.bbc.co.uk

Another unnecessary train delay because vegetation and trees aren't being managed

 

[Lewisham2221]

TfW have completely given up on tomorrow, which I feel is extremely poor form. Nothing Newport - Shrewsbury till Monday morning. Really frustrating personally. Anyone know why they throw in the towel at the first opportunity? Or anything else in this specific case? Cheers

Presumably you'd prefer to be stranded on a train somewhere when it comes across flooding or a fallen tree or even a landslip? With no road transport available due to road and weather conditions?

Even with the limited service offered today, almost everything was suspended at some point due to flooding or trees coming down. It's unlikely anything will run at least until the weather has eased off, daylight has come and proving runs have been carried out. Considering the wind isn't really expected to die down until late afternoon tomorrow, it prevents passengers having unrealistic expectations of trains running normally when there's a very real possibility that there may still be serious disruption.

 

[Wivenswold]

GA are suggesting it’s just after leaving Marks Tey, Open Trains has a 1Z99 in the loop at Marks Tey, don’t know if it’s is correct or relevant regarding Wivenswolds post….Edit not too much damage it seems unit now on way back to Depot

I had rather hoped that hadn't happened but it sounds like the driver acted quickly hence the minimal damage. Hopefully there were no injuries too.

For context, that happened in a yellow warning area.

 

[Belperpete]

Anyone know why they throw in the towel at the first opportunity?

I suggest that you look at today's news.

 

[AdamWW]

I had rather hoped that hadn't happened but it sounds like the driver acted quickly hence the minimal damage. Hopefully there were no injuries too.

For context, that happened in a yellow warning area.

For those who don't know, the colour system is based on likelihood as well as impact. So a yellow warning could be for a high likelihood of weather with a low impact, or a much lower likelihood of severe weather that would justify a red warning if there was greater certainty that it would actually happen.

 

[mtmikethom]

I had rather hoped that hadn't happened but it sounds like the driver acted quickly hence the minimal damage. Hopefully there were no injuries too.

For context, that happened in a yellow warning area.

Doesn’t seem like any injury, the unit I believe has since left the scene under its own power to Colchester depot, the 1Z99 was the replacement, not sure if it can have been a rescue unit? Can there be two units on the branch at the same time? Compared to the west and Wales it a non event

 

[TUC]

So Tlk still have some trains running upto St Albans but put this out. St Albans a lot nearer to Luton than St Pancras is

https://x.com/TLRailUK/status/1865475258607673522

View attachment 170657

Unhelpful that no mention is made of 'and we will reimburse the cost to you'.

 

[Sleepy]

Doesn’t seem like any injury, the unit I believe has since left the scene under its own power to Colchester depot, the 1Z99 was the replacement, not sure if it can have been a rescue unit? Can there be two units on the branch at the same time? Compared to the west and Wales it a non event

The unit striking the tree was able to return to Colchester under it's own power, 1Z99 was then used to route prove to Sudbury before resuming the service. 1Z99 would have gone on the branch to rescue failed unit if necessary.

 

[WAB]

Seems quite typical for TfW.

Incorrect, misleading and contradictory information is par for the course. E.g. saying that services may be delayed or cancelled then further down staying that there are no trains running is standard.

Anyone who has used Tyrell will understand how this comes about - not checking the plethora of text in the additional fields on the second page. When control offices are under a lot of pressure, this is what happens.

I have no idea why they are talking about services between Radyr and Coryton when that is no longer a throgh service.

They'll have selected 'between' rather than 'through', if I remember the options correctly. Really they should have been done separately.

There are 47 line updates on JourneyCheck now - three times more than for GWR. It's really difficult to work out what the status is, especially with the copy/paste errors in some of the messages and the delayed flag being set rather than cancelled. I was always taught to keep an eye on what the public saw by checking JourneyCheck.

 

[George109]

Unhelpful that no mention is made of 'and we will reimburse the cost to you'.

On Twitter, Thameslink they are even going as far to be non-committal to offering refunds like here:

If you make a journey using a taxi, you will need to submit the feedback form on our website. We cannot guarantee this will be refunded, however the case will be reviewed by the Customer Relations team who will be in touch with you

x.com

x.com

 

[nwales58]

TfW have completely given up on tomorrow, which I feel is extremely poor form. … Anyone know why they throw in the towel at the first opportunity?

Well Cambrian Coast is planned bus replacement all the next week for a start, so wasn’t worth clearing for tomorrow.
A minimum replacement service on Sunday for us cut-off areas would have been nice though. Lloyds Coaches posted what they are able to run early this evening.

 

[infobleep]

It looks like Cross Country have now activated CSL2 Code Black, which means widespread disruption across their network.

Multiple routes are blocked and they have advised no alternatives are available.

DISRUPTION:





View attachment 170627

I don't understand why some TOCs advise do not travel but others say you can book your own taxis and claim it back. South Western Railway are ones saying you can book a taxi and claim it back.

When that was suggested by a member of staff to a couple of passengers this evening, as I pass through Guildford station, they seemed a bit like that surely wouldn't be the case.

Anyway they went off, so I don't know what they did


Is this due to different contracts with the DfT?

 

[WAB]

TfW have completely given up on tomorrow, which I feel is extremely poor form. Nothing Newport - Shrewsbury till Monday morning. Really frustrating personally. Anyone know why they throw in the towel at the first opportunity? Or anything else in this specific case? Cheers

TfW cover a large, rural area and many of the routes were not constructed to the highest specs when built, so they are very vulnerable. The worst of the storm passed over a very large area, therefore there are not the resources to fix everything at once. Remedial works today will have been hampered by the wind, which the BBC have been reporting as substantial throughout the day.

It is worth noting that until pretty late on, TfW were warning of evening cancellations (most west of Swansea, but with some Carmarthen services still running) and some early morning cancellations for the line to be examined. Aside from that, all efforts were made to run a service and indeed the last Carmarthen ran. Their 'Do not Travel' message was put out a lot later than GWR whose message applied from the early morning.

First thing, trains ran out on a number of routes such as the Marches, and Chester. They were pulled, seemingly after meeting obstructions. Reviewing RTT, they did a good job considering the conditions. As for reinstating services, there will be pressure to restart services but if the line is not clear the line is not clear.

 

[43066]

I don't understand why some TOCs advise do not travel but others say you can book your own taxis and claim it back. South Western Railway are ones saying you can book a taxi and claim it back.

When that was suggested by a member of staff to a couple of passengers this evening, as I pass through Guildford station, they seemed a bit like that surely wouldn't be the case.

Anyway they went off, so I don't know what they did


Is this due to different contracts with the DfT?

It’s doesn’t make any difference to the underlying rights, it’s just going to be easier and quicker for most people to book their own taxis and claim back, rather than waiting for a limited number of TOC staff - likely with dealing with large numbers of others - to book. Hence it’s pragmatic, sensible advice.

 

[diffident]

I don't understand why some TOCs advise do not travel but others say you can book your own taxis and claim it back. South Western Railway are ones saying you can book a taxi and claim it back.

When that was suggested by a member of staff to a couple of passengers this evening, as I pass through Guildford station, they seemed a bit like that surely wouldn't be the case.

Anyway they went off, so I don't know what they did


Is this due to different contracts with the DfT?

Playing devil's advocate here... what if you can't afford the taxi fare?

 

[43066]

Playing devil's advocate here... what if you can't afford the taxi fare?

You’ll have to wait until the TOC is able to do it. Personally - knowing how long this can take even for train crew - I’d much rather be given the option to book my own ticket and claim back.

 

[diffident]

You’ll have to wait until the TOC is able to do it. Personally - knowing how long this can take even for train crew - I’d much rather be given the option to book my own ticket and claim back.

Understood, but my question still remains, what if you don't have means to arrange your own forward transportation? I thought the railway has an obligation to get you to your destination regardless?

 

[43066]

Understood, but my question still remains, what if you don't have means to arrange your own forward transportation? I thought the railway has an obligation to get you to your destination regardless?

You’ll presumably be stuck if you can’t get someone from the TOC to arrange it for you (eg because there are no staff present, or because it’s physically impossible to get transport to your location).

If you’re travelling long distances, even if you have no money at all in your bank account, it’s a good idea to have at least a credit card with you that you can use to front unexpected expenses.

 

[185]

It looks like Cross Country have now activated CSL2 Code Black, which means widespread disruption across their network.

Multiple routes are blocked and they have advised no alternatives are available.

This wasn't true with Birmingham - Manchester, their statement was plainly false. An alternative was available.

The tree fell just beyond Stone (towards Yarnfield) at 3pm. XC abandoned the route despite all their Manchester / New St drivers and guards signing the alternative route via Crewe. This left the other firms struggling to cope with their huge numbers of abandoned passengers.

> The entire line from Manchester - Crewe - Birmingham was available all day.

 

[mrmartin]

Bit confused with the state of play tomorrow to be honest. For example, TfW is saying no trains between Cardiff and Cheltenham Spa, whereas CrossCountry have no problems on their status page.

Is there any ticket acceptance between TfW and XC tomorrow in place (or with any operators tbh)?

 

[GusB]

If you’re travelling long distances, even if you have no money at all in your bank account, it’s a good idea to have at least a credit card with you that you can use to front unexpected expenses.

While I appreciate that you're trying to provide some decent advice here, having a credit card to fall back on isn't going to be an option for people many people who are on low incomes.

I have one now, mainly because I needed to build up my credit rating. While it's handy for unexpected surprises, my initial credit limit was very low to start with (£200) and the interest rate isn't exactly favourable. An unexpected rail-replacement taxi journey could quite easily eat up that limit. It's all well and good advising people to claim back the expenses, but there's no guarantee that this will happen quickly and the train company is unlikely to fork out for any interest over and above the cost of the taxi journey. This is where the "pay now, claim back later" thing falls down; many people will simply end up stranded because they simply don't have the means to pay up-front.

 

[MichaelTrains]

Did Northern issue a do not travel notice for Saturday?

They cancelled three Blackpool to Leeds trains in a row despite our party being told that the next one would definitely run only for the next two to be cancelled.

I must say the level of communication from the staff at Blackpool North station was appalling.

If they had said that the next two or even one was going to be cancelled rather than it’s definitely running. We would have gone via Manchester and home that way.

 

[WAB]

They cancelled three Blackpool to Leeds trains in a row despite our party being told that the next one would definitely run only for the next two to be cancelled.

I must say the level of communication from the staff at Blackpool North station was appalling.

If they had said that the next two or even one was going to be cancelled rather than it’s definitely running. We would have gone via Manchester and home that way.

The plan may have changed, rendering a previous phone call with control out-of-date etc. Don't overestimate the amount of information station staff have above and beyond public channels.

 

[infobleep]

How do you know they have ‘thrown in the towel’?

Have NWR ensured that the lines are free of obstructions? Without that being undertaken TFW can’t run trains.

Edit- Tweet below from NWR stating majority of lines in wales need to be checked, hence no service Sunday.
As and when lines checked, then services can be restored.

Also attached is a photo from tweet.

x.com

x.com

The checking of lines will be required across many parts of the UK I would imagine.

It’s doesn’t make any difference to the underlying rights, it’s just going to be easier and quicker for most people to book their own taxis and claim back, rather than waiting for a limited number of TOC staff - likely with dealing with large numbers of others - to book. Hence it’s pragmatic, sensible advice.

I agree but why don't more TOCs do it? Or if they do, advertise it?

 

[krus_aragon]

TfW have completely given up on tomorrow, which I feel is extremely poor form. Nothing Newport - Shrewsbury till Monday morning. Really frustrating personally. Anyone know why they throw in the towel at the first opportunity? Or anything else in this specific case? Cheers

Well, that leaves me gladder of my decision to push ahead around Friday's (unit fire) disruption in Baglan to get back up north before the storm. Had I opted to crash on a friend's sofa in Cardiff on Friday night, I might still be there on Monday. :/