Disruption on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 December 2013

[whole diary]

[insider]

Severe Disruption is expected across majority of Rail Network due to weather forecast of high - gale force winds.

As a result the Western Region have already advised TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company)'s of the following:

the following 50mph blanket speeds will be imposed:-
Exeter - Plymouth including Paignton - 1500-2100.
Paddington - Thingley Jcn / Castle Cary via B&H^▸ (Berks and Hants - railway line from Reading to Taunton via Westbury) / Heyford / Thingley Jcn - Westbury via Melksham 1600-2200.

I understand from a friend at the ICCW that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are planning to run a reduced service tomorrow afternoon and details will be posted to relevant websites ASAP.

National Rail already have some info posted http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/65932.aspx

[bobm]

While the winds will no doubt be a problem, the more lasting difficulty could be the 40 to 60 mm of rain forecast over much of the South West...

[JayMac]

Any advance warning of problems for my journey tomorrow - Bristol TM^‡(resolve)-Taunton at 1644 - will be greatly appreciated.

If the rail network falls down then I'm going to be on the buses earlier in the day via Wells. And that may also be problematical seeing as the second bus I need travels across the Somerset Levels. 

Added to that, I have to decide whether to buy a full price rail ticket, having lost my railcard, or chance my arm with the buses.

[bobm]

It seemed such a good idea at the time... got a collection of cheap advance tickets tomorrow to go from Newton Abbot to Penzance, up on the sleeper and then from Paddington to Swindon....  (oh and after a half day in the office back down to Newton Abbot....)

Might be just a touch problematical....

[TonyK]

For once, I'm glad I'm not travelling.

[Umberleigh]

Travelling up to London on the 24th departing Truro at 06.18. More than a little concerned about disruption given the forecast for tomorrow, and that the rain will continue through the night.

My question: in the event of rail replacement between Exeter St David's and Tiverton/Taunton, is it likely that my FGW^▸ (First Great Western) advance ticket will be valid on South West Trains to Waterloo?*


*Assuming no landslips etc on this line, too

[trainbuff]

Crosscountry in anticipation, are carrying tickets for 22nd, 23rd AND 24th December on any services today. I know that probably does not help much but at least it is forward thinking. Not sure whether First are doing the same. Bignosemac has picked a 'choice' train tomorrow. Always full between Bristol and Exeter with commuters.....and if it is 4 coach train that 'really will be cosy'! Lol

[TaplowGreen]

Grim news - looks like being the second year running that people's travel plans will be thrown into chaos by the transport systems inability to cope with rough weather, no doubt some will be stranded....it's all very well telling people to travel today rather than tomorrow, but a lot of people have to work.

I hope that since the last disaster in areas such as Cowley Bridge, NR^» (Network Rail - home page) and the TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) will have used the last year to make their services and contingency planning more robust.

Thankfully I don't have a long trip this year, but still have to get to work.

[bobm]

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have lifted Advance ticket restrictions for journeys after 12 noon tomorrow due to the anticipated bad weather thus allowing passengers to travel on earlier trains and minimise delays caused by speed limits.

[Southern Stag]

Travelling up to London on the 24th departing Truro at 06.18. More than a little concerned about disruption given the forecast for tomorrow, and that the rain will continue through the night.

My question: in the event of rail replacement between Exeter St David's and Tiverton/Taunton, is it likely that my FGW^▸ (First Great Western) advance ticket will be valid on South West Trains to Waterloo?*


*Assuming no landslips etc on this line, too

Last year SWT^▸ (South West Trains) were accepting FGW ticket holders into Waterloo and they strengthened their services too.

[a-driver]

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have lifted Advance ticket restrictions for journeys after 12 noon tomorrow due to the anticipated bad weather thus allowing passengers to travel on earlier trains and minimise delays caused by speed limits.

I don't think this has been officially published yet.  FGW are planning an announcement Monday morning. 

[bobm]

I was told by customer services when I phoned them.

[a-driver]

I was told by customer services when I phoned them.

Just seen that message confirmed on Twitter!

https://twitter.com/FGW/status/414865904565256193

[bobm]

The lifting of restrictions now confirmed on the front page of the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website.

[JayMac]

Bringing my journey forward to around midday in the hope that I dodge any disruption. Does mean going out now to finish off the Christmas shopping, rather than mid-morning as planned.