Storm Doris Thursday 23rd - Major disruption on some routes

[Llanigraham]

Problems on the Cambrian not being helped by a reported bridge strike this morning.

 

[gavin]

NR: A problem at a level crossing at Blackpool North means that all lines to and from this station are currently blocked.

 

[Greybeard33]

Wilmslow-Crewe line blocked at Holmes Chapel and Mid-Cheshire line obstructed at Plumley.

 

[robbeech]

<warning : Retford rant coming up>

I notice VTEC have scrapped the **08 York stopping services today, leaving anyone with connections at Retford in excess of 1hr waiting time there, it appears they've dropped Retford in as an additional stop on some of the Leeds services but of course they're not quite on the alternate hour meaning a connection to Worksop or Sheffield is 1hr or more.
I know they can't do everything for everyone and I am absolutely moaning for the sake of it half in jest but it is always the first to get hit even though it already has a poor service from there.

 

[tsr]

Further tree issues in the Hurst Green area, as well as near the site of the original issues near Edenbridge Tunnel (tree damaged in front of chainsaw gang who were just leaving!). Personally speaking (as someone who knows the route extremely well), I'd advise not heading onto any route via Oxted until at least the start of the evening peak.

Trees/debris also affecting GN at Sandy, Peterborough and Meldreth.

Latter confirmed to be on the OHLE contact wire.

 

[Andyjs247]

Chiltern Railways various cancellations between Bicester North - Banbury. I understand there is a tree down. 1G19 0940 MYB-BMO has made it through to Birmingham but following 1U19 and 1R21 terminated at Bicester. 1G23, 1U23 also terminated at BCS
This in addition to 50mph speed restrictions and other cancellations.

 

[tsr]

Trains to be held at stations or cancelled on the Oxted Lines.

Quarry Lines now open (for the time being).

Down Line (only) now open at Robertsbridge.

Plastic bag on contact wire at Welham Green.

I expect Kings Cross will go the way of Euston in having departures suspended for a time, though I could be wrong - not heard anything official but the service is really very precarious currently.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Gusts currently picking up south of London...

The Up Slow is blocked in the Brockley area due to a fallen tree. Other lines are open but LO & Southern Metro services are now going to be severely delayed over lunchtime.

.

All lines were open at 11.50 when I passed on the Down Slow

 

[tsr]

Damaged tree at Sutton just removed. A tree which is down to the north of Oxted is next in the queue.

Delays of 1-3 hours for individual trains on the Oxted route.

 

[tsr]

All lines were open at 11.50 when I passed on the Down Slow

It looks like it was removed much more quickly than most people seemed to think it could be! Which is, of course, a good thing.

 

[Searle]

Seems like everywhere has gone to pot (except the good old 313s on the Hertford loop!). Tree on line at Meldreth and an obstruction at Sandy are screwing everything up with GN and EC

 

[tsr]

Debris just reported to have been struck by train at Elephant & Castle, not far from the earlier Loughborough Jn issues.

Seems like everywhere has gone to pot (except the good old 313s on the Hertford loop!). Trees on line at Meldreth and Huntingdon are screwing everything up with GN and EC

Some other Moorgate services are being delayed by the Welham Green issue. Perhaps the Hertford Loop may experience knock-on delays even if there's no major debris to report yet.

Normal working resumed at Sandy.

 

[Blindtraveler]

As of 10 past 12, ECML north of Berwick still blocked but roomered to be reopening. Flood water reduced or otherwise dealth with and inspections complete at Lockerbie meaning North WCML open again with delays. East Coast pax being bustitued to Newcastle or told to wate to see if Line reopeneded.

Stock for TPE's 12:12 Manchester was in P14 but despite this being my booked train I did not use as was already at Market Street for the replacement coaches which had been arranged to Carlisle and was able to jump onto VT's 10:51 departure which was still sitting in P9 and which was given prioritty of Transpenine. Now south of Carstairs and whilst not the storming run we're all used to we are certainly getting on with it. This train terminating at Preston today, or thats the latest info.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Should also point out noticeably stronger winds in South Scotland buffeting us a bit.

 

[Darandio]

Things are trying to move north of Crewe, but 9S47 has just departed there 164 down. Many others now exceeding the 2 hour late mark.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I expect Kings Cross will go the way of Euston in having departures suspended for a time, though I could be wrong - not heard anything official but the service is really very precarious currently.

It probably does make sense to suspend now (lunchtime and early afternoon are very quiet) in order to plan (subject to moving goalposts) what to run in the evening peak and get stock and staff in the right places to do it.

 

[Suraggu]

1T42 hit a tree between Fareham and Botley. Crew and NR staff onboard managed to clear what was left of the tree. Away 19 late.

 

[robbeech]

Sounds like you're getting there all be it slowly. What was your original eta in London and have you any idea how massively that is likely to change?

 

[jfollows]

Wilmslow-Crewe line blocked at Holmes Chapel and Mid-Cheshire line obstructed at Plumley.

I suspect the Holmes Chapel one might be a fence .....

 

[bb21]

*Stagecoach* VTEC won't accept *Stagecoach* EMT passengers? Now there's a new low.

What's with the obsession on Stagecoach ownership?

They are two separate franchises and ticket acceptance will be arranged as per normal practice between TOCs.

 

[broadgage]

1T42 hit a tree between Fareham and Botley. Crew and NR staff onboard managed to clear what was left of the tree. Away 19 late.

Was it simply good luck that NR staff were on board ? Or is there a policy of putting such staff on certain trains in bad weather in case of trees or other obstructions.

 

[tsr]

Horsham-Dorking closed now.

Ewell East tree (another one? No idea!) has trapped a train.

Oxted route and Tadworth still at a stand.

Looks like Peterborough is now open so maybe crisis averted at Kings Cross, for now.

EDIT: Some lines at Peterborough still blocked but trains running through, but...

All lines blocked at Sandy again - roof on the track.

 

[Wookiee]

As the last storm that the media predicted would be called Doris (from. The a-z American style list which I guess the UK will abandon soon..) never materialised, then expect a light breeze and weather associated with a northern hemisphere winter (it's mid February btw).

A bit of wind doesn't need to become a Disney drama.

Any luck?

 

[cuccir]

1E10, which has been sat just north of Dunbar for 2h30, is now on the move again, suggesting that the ECML is now open for business again further north.

 

[tsr]

Power off Holloway-Alexandra P.

Fire service dealing with roof at Sandy.

Tree down on Down Slow/Down Spur just south of Sydenham.

We have movement via Oxted!

First tree dealt with at West Wickham, another down.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Sounds like you're getting there all be it slowly. What was your original eta in London and have you any idea how massively that is likely to change?

If this was aimed at Me then I think the answer is wate and see at Preston. I think it largely depends on what trains and crews are available, if the trent valley remains blocked, how many trains the West Midlands can handle if it is and more importantly what Aunty Dorris is doing!
Booked arrival Euston was 17:13, not gunna happen now

 

[Blindtraveler]

10:51 EDB EUS, PRE only today just approaching Carlisle 13:24.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Things are not much better for the airlines. Very few planes getting in at Manchester with a number of go-arounds and subsequent diversions. Liverpool not much better. Doris has come with a full set of teeth!

 

[Wookiee]

Things are not much better for the airlines. Very few planes getting in at Manchester with a number of go-arounds and subsequent diversions. Liverpool not much better. Doris has come with a full set of teeth!

No, no, it's just "a bit of wind".

 

[misterredmist]

Things are not much better for the airlines. Very few planes getting in at Manchester with a number of go-arounds and subsequent diversions. Liverpool not much better. Doris has come with a full set of teeth!

They seem to be heading in at MAN again now , looking at the 'METARS', it would appear the crosswind component would have been off limits for the last couple of hours for many operators.