Storm Eowyn Disruption - 24/1/25

[Banham7]

Northern's list appears to be:

Severe weather warning

Northern | Buy Cheap Train Tickets and Check Train Times

www.northernrailway.co.uk

Bradford International? Didn't know Leeds Bradford had a train station

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I’m flying away for work tomorrow, due to land back in Glasgow at 1915 on Friday. I don’t rate my chances of getting home on time very highly…

Indeed. Doesn't look promising. What would be a worse outcome? Maybe being delayed arriving into Glasgow until Saturday or later, or travelling Friday and getting diverted to somewhere else?

 

[Elorith]

As with previous so-called storms, it's very disappointing that TOCs seem to issue "DO NOT TRAVEL" warnings at the drop of a hat when it would be far more sensible to say "travel if you like, we'll run the best service we can but be prepared for some disruption".

And how exactly do you suggest they do that when NR have shut the route themselves due to risk of loss of life?

According to the largely reliable Met Office website, the forecast for Newcastle is for light winds Thursday and Saturday, either side of a brief period of stronger winds on Friday which, even at their height, should average no more than 35 mph.

Also NR defer to experts from the Met Office themselves to help them make these assessments.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Amazing how Northern’s DO NOT TRAVEL list manages to correlate so neatly with the routes where they have chronic staffing issues.

I’m sure it’s all just a massive coincidence!

 

[startingaparty]

Northern's list appears to be:

Severe weather warning

Northern | Buy Cheap Train Tickets and Check Train Times

www.northernrailway.co.uk

Thank you for sharing.

It looks as though there won't be any disruption on the Blackpool North - Manchester Airport route then which is a relief!

 

[CaptainHaddock]

And how exactly do you suggest they do that when NR have shut the route themselves due to risk of loss of life?


Also NR defer to experts from the Met Office themselves to help them make these assessments.

If it's really Network Rail shutting the lines then why, as yet, have Cross Country not said "do not travel" north of Newcastle?

Either way, my point still stands. If the wires come down or a tree blocks the line then yes, issue a "DO NOT TRAVEL" warning. But don't issue one two days in advance based upon what's only a prediction which may turn out to be a lot less disruptive than forecast?

 

[800001]

According to the largely reliable Met Office website, the forecast for Newcastle is for light winds Thursday and Saturday, either side of a brief period of stronger winds on Friday which, even at their height, should average no more than 35 mph.

Newcastle Upon Tyne (Newcastle upon Tyne) weather

Newcastle Upon Tyne 7 day weather forecast including weather warnings, temperature, rain, wind, visibility, humidity and UV

weather.metoffice.gov.uk

I wonder why news channels are so fixated on gust speed rather than average speed, perhaps because it allows them to publish more hysterical weather stories?

As with previous so-called storms, it's very disappointing that TOCs seem to issue "DO NOT TRAVEL" warnings at the drop of a hat when it would be far more sensible to say "travel if you like, we'll run the best service we can but be prepared for some disruption".

It’s is the high speed gusts that cause the issues, Darlingtons forecast for 60mph gusts!
With gusts of the speed, the danger is very much objects on the tracks, damage to the overheads.
The last storm showed that TOCS were in the main sensible to lower speeds or suspend services due to the damage that did occur.

 

[Carntyne]

If it's really Network Rail shutting the lines then why, as yet, have Cross Country not said "do not travel" north of Newcastle?

Either way, my point still stands. If the wires come down or a tree blocks the line then yes, issue a "DO NOT TRAVEL" warning. But don't issue one two days in advance based upon what's only a prediction which may turn out to be a lot less disruptive than forecast?

The point in the do not travel is to avoid people getting stuck on services with wires down around the train, or trees blocking the route.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

But don't issue one two days in advance based upon what's only a prediction which may turn out to be a lot less disruptive than forecast?

But it may turn out to be a lot MORE disruptive than forecast. Daresay we'll have found out, one way or the other, in around 48 hours' time. I'm o.k. with being advised not to travel this Friday.

 

[Elorith]

If it's really Network Rail shutting the lines then why, as yet, have Cross Country not said "do not travel" north of Newcastle?

Because they're acting on the instructions of NR who are closing the route as are TPE?

But don't issue one two days in advance based upon what's only a prediction which may turn out to be a lot less disruptive than forecast?

Why? If the modelling falls within a certain level of confidence, you basically already know what the situation will be like. The sooner that information gets out to customers, the better as it allows them to amend their plans.

 

[RAPC]

Thank you for sharing.

It looks as though there won't be any disruption on the Blackpool North - Manchester Airport route then which is a relief!

That is a strange omission from that list. Blackpool and the route through Lancashire are expected to be very heavily impacted.

Definitely keep an eye on the list being updated.

 

[The Middle]

If it's really Network Rail shutting the lines then why, as yet, have Cross Country not said "do not travel" north of Newcastle?

They just haven't got their Comms out yet. They absolutely will come out with a "do not travel" north of Newcastle in line with the rest of the industry

 

[800001]

If it's really Network Rail shutting the lines then why, as yet, have Cross Country not said "do not travel" north of Newcastle?

Either way, my point still stands. If the wires come down or a tree blocks the line then yes, issue a "DO NOT TRAVEL" warning. But don't issue one two days in advance based upon what's only a prediction which may turn out to be a lot less disruptive than forecast?

Because when wires come down or a tree comes onto line, hundreds or thousands of people are then already travelling and need dealing with!
There will be next to no coaches for replacement services, so warn people now!

 

[kez19]

I mentioned upthread for my train on Friday, on the app tickets aren’t available for that train, Cross Country is running in between (for now), I just asked the LNER chat if my train is running it said yes?

I would understand if line was closed earlier than 11am but I’m genuinely lost now as what to do, as if my 0845 is still running that’s fine I’ll get up to Scotland (as mentioned previously I don’t mind if it’s speed restricted).

 

[55002]

If the models the amateurs use are anywhere near correct this is going to be a violent storm especially in Ireland (Red warnings issued) and across into Lake District and above. 180km/h winds on the western coast of Ireland and 150km/h winds inland and across northern england

 

[800001]

I mentioned upthread for my train on Friday, on the app tickets aren’t available for that train, Cross Country is running in between (for now), I just asked the LNER chat if my train is running it said yes?

I would understand if line was closed earlier than 11am but I’m genuinely lost now as what to do, as if my 0845 is still running that’s fine I’ll get up to Scotland (as mentioned previously I don’t mind if it’s speed restricted).

LNER won’t have updated the individual journeys on the system as yet. The Chat is just a chatbot, you’d be better off asking them via twitter (a real person).

 

[Bald Rick]

If the wires come down or a tree blocks the line then yes, issue a "DO NOT TRAVEL" warning.

It’s a bit late to issue that when there’s several tonnes of oak tree through the cab window or 10,000 people on stranded trains with no power and response staff unable to reach them due to, err, the storm.

But I’m sure you know best.

 

[43066]

Either way, my point still stands. If the wires come down or a tree blocks the line then yes, issue a "DO NOT TRAVEL" warning. But don't issue one two days in advance based upon what's only a prediction which may turn out to be a lot less disruptive than forecast?

Surely better to err on the side of caution, give advance warning, and allow people to plan accordingly? Your favoured approach risks mass standings.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Because when wires come down or a tree comes onto line, hundreds or thousands of people are then already travelling and need dealing with!
There will be next to no coaches for replacement services, so warn people now!

Yes, I agree. Warn people now. Tell them that they can travel but if they do they run through risk of getting stranded with no alternative means of transport. That's entirely fair and reasonable.

My bugbear is that so many TOCs are not saying that, they're saying "DO NOT TRAVEL". Which to me suggests that, even if the storm isn't as bad as forecast, they've already given up attempting to provide a service.

 

[800001]

Yes, I agree. Warn people now. Tell them that they can travel but if they do they run through risk of getting stranded with no alternative means of transport. That's entirely fair and reasonable.

My bugbear is that so many TOCs are not saying that, they're saying "DO NOT TRAVEL". Which to me suggests that, even if the storm isn't as bad as forecast, they've already given up attempting to provide a service.

I’ll refer you to post #47.

TOCS do not issue these notices at the drop of a hat. They do it for safety.

I’ve seen far too many days where trees and wires come down in storms, several thousand people stranded, trains stuck and damaged, and lo and behold all the customers do is moan Moan moan about why the train company had let the customer get into that situation.

 

[43066]

Yes, I agree. Warn people now. Tell them that they can travel but if they do they run through risk of getting stranded with no alternative means of transport. That's entirely fair and reasonable.

My bugbear is that so many TOCs are not saying that, they're saying "DO NOT TRAVEL". Which to me suggests that, even if the storm isn't as bad as forecast, they've already given up attempting to provide a service.

But if they do that, and thousands of people still travel, then they’re in no better a position. Saying “we told you so” to thousands of stranded passengers isn’t going to help the staff on the ground…

Hence what they’re trying to do is damp down demand to prevent the situation from arising in the first place.

 

[kez19]

LNER won’t have updated the individual journeys on the system as yet. The Chat is just a chatbot, you’d be better off asking them via twitter (a real person).

That was what I thought to do, I was told to check tomorrow via their website/app as they are amending timetables, the only thing I don’t understand is the instruction from LNER saying hop on the same service tomorrow at no extra cost? (ie 0845, I’m sure someone would be sitting in that seat identical to me for Friday! lol)

Its an if and a big if I do go home tomorrow than Friday it’ll be later than planned as booked into hotel til Friday (but train I could get tomorrow would be at least 1255), but will see tomorrow (still hope it just runs as planned).

 

[800001]

That was what I thought to do, I was told to check tomorrow via their website/app as they are amending timetables, the only thing I don’t understand is the instruction from LNER saying hop on the same service tomorrow at no extra cost? (ie 0845, I’m sure someone would be sitting in that seat identical to me for Friday! lol)

Its an if and a big if I do go home tomorrow than Friday it’ll be later than planned as booked into hotel til Friday (but train I could get tomorrow would be at least 1255), but will see tomorrow (still hope it just runs as planned).

If you decide to get a service tomorrow, make a new seat reservation via the app or website, when it asks for ticket number just put 4 random numbers in.

 

[A S Leib]

Hopefully relatively few people will have planned to go between southern England and Scotland by train this weekend anyway, between the full weekend King's Cross closure and Sunday's Trent Valley engineering works. On the other side, remaining services will probably be packed if able to run as planned.

 

[Tetchytyke]

TOCS do not issue these notices at the drop of a hat. They do it for safety.

Maybe I’m cynical, but I can’t help but notice Northern’s notices very closely correlate with the routes that they struggle to operate due to staffing issues.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Maybe I’m cynical, but I can’t help but notice Northern’s notices very closely correlate with the routes that they struggle to operate due to staffing issues.

Yes, I've spotted that too. I'm planning to travel from Elsecar to Huddersfield to visit a friend on Friday but Northern have issued a "DO NOT TRAVEL" notice for this route. The majority of the line isn't even in the amber weather warning area and the forecast is for a mild, sunny and blustery day. Severe weather; really?

 

[GordonT]

I wonder what the implications are for the Caledonian Sleeper services.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Avanti are of course abandoning north of Preston, but so are TPE so it must be bad this time rather than the usual excuse

The TPE website gives a do not travel for the whole route interestingly, not just Preston north, will be interesting to see if they just abandon the whole thing, bit poor if they do as Northern aren't pulling that route.

 

[Winthorpe]

I’m not a football fan, but I know Rangers fans will be in Manchester on Thursday. They might have longer than planned in Manchester.

 

[87electric]

Because they're acting on the instructions of NR who are closing the route as are TPE?


Why? If the modelling falls within a certain level of confidence, you basically already know what the situation will be like. The sooner that information gets out to customers, the better as it allows them to amend their plans.

You must be new to this. Mr Haddock always questions the weather around stormy situations. Sometimes he’s right too. Experts and their models hardly live up to scrutiny. Just a guessing game.