Weather related disruption - Christmas 2013 and New Year 2014

[HowardGWR]

Credit where it is due. XC, FGW and NR seem on it today in the SW regarding alternatives and getting repairs organised.

Well, if you look at the FGW site journey check, it just says one after the other - 'train cancelled'. Not much use to pax is that. A standard 'bus x to y' after each announcement would be more helpful plus assurance that tickets are accepted.

For instance, the general message is that buses are running between Exeter and Newton Abbot but nothing about how you get to Paignton line stations.

So if you just put in 'Torquay and 'Exeter Central' in the from and to, it just tells you 'trains cancelled' -very helpful (not).

 

[0B00]

It has just been repaired, but this latest storm could knock the line out again, just after it had been fixed as far as Barmouth

In an email received this morning ATW now confirm that the line between Machynlleth and Barmouth will not open until at least Monday 10/2/14.

 

[Rich McLean]

News just in,

There are now plans to run trains between Newton Abbot and Exeter tomorrow, but with speed restrictions.

 

[Zoe]

For instance, the general message is that buses are running between Exeter and Newton Abbot but nothing about how you get to Paignton line stations.

If you go to JourneyCheck you can see that trains are running Exeter - Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth - Paignton.

 

[sonic2009]

News just in,

There are now plans to run trains between Newton Abbot and Exeter tomorrow, but with speed restrictions.

They seem to be already running services, albeit empty stock services.

 

[fgwrich]

If you go to JourneyCheck you can see that trains are running Exeter - Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth - Paignton.

Presumably not stopping at Dawlish then - I gather the mostly wooden downside platform was structurally damaged last night because of the ferocity of the waves.

 

[sonic2009]

If you go to JourneyCheck you can see that trains are running Exeter - Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth - Paignton.

Presumably not stopping at Dawlish then - I gather the mostly wooden downside platform was structurally damaged last night because of the ferocity of the waves.

2 separate services are running by the looks of it.

 

[Zoe]

2 separate services are running by the looks of it.

Correct, the local service from Exeter is terminating at Dawlish Warren and a separate service is running between Teignmouth and Paignton. Details of specific services are available on FGW JourneyCheck.

 

[Rich McLean]

News just in,

There are now plans to run trains between Newton Abbot and Exeter tomorrow, but with speed restrictions.

This turns out not to be the case.

However as mentioned, trains are running between Teignmouth - Paignton and Dawlish Warren - Exmouth

 

[Goatboy]

The information provision is terrible, the staff on the ground and the arrangements for passengers are excellent. Such a shame, look at FGW journeycheck and you get the impression nobody has a clue and everything is in chaos.

Yet in reality there are even coaches fast from Plymouth to Taunton beating both the seawall problem and the Whiteball works and adding only 15 minutes to journeys. Yet again the way they've sorted out alternative arrangements is excellent yet the way they've communicated what these are is terrible.

A shame. The staff deserve much credit on the ground, as always.

Why do they always do it like this? You always get the impression from the published information that FGW couldnt organise a party in a brewery yet the reality is very different.

 

[D1009]

This turns out not to be the case.

Probably because they've looked at tomorrow morning's weather forecast. However whilst there are very strong winds, heavy rain and tide height only 0.5m less than Monday morning, the forecast wind direction is SSW, which is not directly on to the beach at Dawlish, more along it.

 

[Woody]

Probably because they've looked at tomorrow morning's weather forecast. However whilst there are very strong winds, heavy rain and tide height only 0.5m less than Monday morning, the forecast wind direction is SSW, which is not directly on to the beach at Dawlish, more along it.

Just announced on my local BBC radio Devon at 5pm tonight that due to the rapidly deteriorating weather conditions at Dawlish, Network rail has had to withdraw all its track repair crews at Dawlish tonight for health and safety reasons. A spokesman said they have issued an unprecedented condition “black” for tonight, their highest level of alert. So expect some more damage tonight.
Brixham coastguard speaking on BBC radio Devon currently reports winds in Torbay as SE storm 10 to violent storm 11. Say no more. Tonights storm looks even worse than the previous one.

 

[D1009]

Why do they always do it like this? You always get the impression from the published information that FGW couldnt organise a party in a brewery yet the reality is very different.

Possibly because the staff on the ground already had a supply of buses to use which they could organise themselves. If FGW gave the impression that everything was going as well as possible, more passengers would turn up which could well cause problems.

 

[TEW]

Looks like there is going to be disruption across the South East tomorrow. SWT have announced changed from 1000 tomorrow due to likely 50mph speed limits being imposed.

http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/alerts.aspx#B44B2ECB44779978C2A5BB1FFE37A750

 

[D1009]

Just announced on my local BBC radio Devon at 5pm tonight that due to the rapidly deteriorating weather conditions at Dawlish, Network rail has had to withdraw all its track repair crews at Dawlish tonight for health and safety reasons. A spokesman said they have issued an unprecedented condition “black” for tonight, their highest level of alert. So expect some more damage tonight.
Brixham coastguard speaking on BBC radio Devon currently reports winds in Torbay as SE storm 10 to violent storm 11. Say no more. Tonights storm looks even worse than the previous one.

Thanks for that, I hadn't realised tonight's high tide will be the problem rather than tomorrow morning, and I notice the forecast winds in West Cornwall are even stronger.

 

[83G/84D]

Thanks for that, I hadn't realised tonight's high tide will be the problem rather than tomorrow morning, and I notice the forecast winds in West Cornwall are even stronger.

Train has hit a tree on the single line at Largin and weather related problems affecting train services at Penzance. Line closed at Quintrell Downs due to a fallen tree as well.

 

[ACE1888]

BBC Spotlight reporting that only 2 of 10 points that Network Rail recommended following the Cowley Bridge floods in 2012 have been actioned so far, due to Ministry of Transport not allowing additional funds. The line at Dawlish and Teignmouth is closed until at least February 7th due to damage. Welcome to the 21st century Network

 

[YorkshireBear]

BBC Spotlight reporting that only 2 of 10 points that Network Rail recommended following the Cowley Bridge floods in 2012 have been actioned so far, due to Ministry of Transport not allowing additional funds. The line at Dawlish and Teignmouth is closed until at least February 7th due to damage. Welcome to the 21st century Network

Note that the closures this week have absolutely nothing to do with Cowley Bridge.....

 

[Captain Chaos]

There line is currently blocked between Liskeard and Bodmin Parkway after a train has hit a large tree. Also the line is shut between St Erth and Penzance due to large waves crashing over the sea wall. Standby coach is unable to operate at Penzance due to it being too hazardous. Passengers are asked not to travel for the rest of the day. Newquay line is also suspended due to a tree on the line.

 

[83G/84D]

There line is currently blocked between Liskeard and Bodmin Parkway after a train has hit a large tree. Also the line is shut between St Erth and Penzance due to large waves crashing over the sea wall. Standby coach is unable to operate at Penzance due to it being too hazardous. Passengers are asked not to travel for the rest of the day. Newquay line is also suspended due to a tree on the line.

See post #796!

 

[Captain Chaos]

See post #796!

Whoops! My apologies. Not sure how I missed that!

 

[83G/84D]

Whoops! My apologies. Not sure how I missed that!

No worries!!

 

[Captain Chaos]

All train services from Exeter to Penzance are now suspended for the rest of tonight.

 

[Rich McLean]

Job now stopped completely on all lines between Exeter and Penzance

 

[D1009]

Job now stopped completely on all lines between Exeter and Penzance

Surely between Taunton and Penzance, a mere 162 miles!

 

[Hophead]

On the upside, however, Horsham - Dorking reopens tomorrow. Might well come in handy if the main line's blocked - now the days are a little longer, you can clearly see a succession of minor slips on the Quarry line.

 

[Rich McLean]

Surely between Taunton and Penzance, a mere 162 miles!

Ah yes your right, but the Barny branch and Exmouth branch are still going strong(ish)

 

[455driver]

With all the disruption in the South West, would it be possible for FGW to lend some units to Northern on short term hire?


Only joking, but somebody had to say it!

 

[Goatboy]

Shame the Dawlish Webcam has gone.

 

[Rich McLean]

No trains west of St Davids until 0900hrs tomorrow at the earliest.

Looks like my sister will have to work from home