Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2014

[whole diary]

[johoare]

From what I could see on realtime trains it was to Plymouth not Penzance but maybe there were in a hurry to post it.. It does look like it did a bit of reversing around Southall according to realtime trains but as you say is on it's way again now

Also and maybe related or not there was another journeycheck entry for the 19.22 Paddington to Oxford service:

"This train will call additionally at Southall.
This is due to an unusually large passenger flow."

It makes me wonder if it was related to the other post or just a coincidence

[grahame]

Curiously this appears (according to RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website)) to form a booked service from Swindon to Westbury and is just about to pass MKM^» (Melksham (Station code) - next trains) around 45 down (without stopping for clarification).

Lots of work on the Berks and Hants this weekend and for the next five or six weekends.

[a-driver]

Southall West Loop was "converted" by Network Rail for use by passenger trains because of a points failure.

[Jason]

Is it time for a November thread yet ? The problem is at Southall according to Twitter.

Delays to services between Ealing Broadway and Hayes & Harlington
Due to signalling problems between Ealing Broadway and Hayes & Harlington trains have to run at reduced speed on the Reading bound fast line.
Train services running through these stations may be delayed by up to 20 mins. An estimate for the resumption of normal services will be provided as soon as the problem has been fully assessed.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Is it time for a November thread yet ?

Topic heading updated (yet again) accordingly. CfN. 

[ChrisB]

Brave! To only add this month makes one think everything will be ok next month! :-)

[NickB]

18.18 to oxford is dangerously overcrowded.  

[NickB]

18.18 to oxford is dangerously overcrowded.  

Looks like the 18.18, which is always rammed anyway, has picked up much of the contents of the delayed 17.49.

Incidentally have any other season ticket holders been contacted by fgw about the early October delays?  Thought we were due a refund or such like...

[Worcester_Passenger]

1749 to Worcester shrub hill was (1) announced on the train as delayed by a train problem, (2) once we've all got off then it's announced as being about to depart, (3) repeat of (1), (4) repeat of (2).
Leaves Paddington about 25 late. At Reading it's announced that it's only going to Evesham. As we pass Didcot it's announced as going through to shrub hill. Now at Oxford. Who knows...

[Chris from Nailsea]

Brave! To only add this month makes one think everything will be ok next month! :-)

I toyed with the alternative of renaming this topic "Thames Valley signalling problems causing delays - ongoing discussion", but I felt that would be the act of a pessimist ...  

[johoare]

I was on the 17.49.. I got off when we were told they didn't think they could mend it.. I ignored the advice we were given to get the 18.18 as I know it's already a crowded train so headed for 18.12 Henley train.. As I get to platform 11 I could hear the 17.49 being announced so headed back over there.. But no.. It was still broken so went back to the 18.12.

That is a delight in itself as it follows a stopper (even though it only really stops at Slough before Maidenhead) so is incredibly slow and tortuous.. Can't be much fun for the driver really either.. The good thing about that is that no one wants to get it so lots of room for me 

In the end we arrived back in Maidenhead about 8 minutes after the delayed 17.49 and whilst the 18.18 was still decamping people onto platform 1..

Note to self.. No point trying to get home early.. Next time go to the pub instead 

[Chris from Nailsea]

Note to self.. No point trying to get home early.. Next time go to the pub instead 

That would be the act of a pragmatist. 

[Oxonhutch]

Incidentally have any other season ticket holders been contacted by fgw about the early October delays?  Thought we were due a refund or such like...

No, and I have been looking out for it. I did though get invited by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) to undertake a survey for season ticket holders in light of the disruptions of late.

A refund has been declared and I believe it is a Void Day, but it doesn't specify it in their letter. Clue is in the title though ...

[Edited to say...] All the Void Days, including the infamous wet week in February are detailed here.

[johoare]

Note to self.. No point trying to get home early.. Next time go to the pub instead 

That would be the act of a pragmatist. 

And a realist 

[TaplowGreen]

18.18 to oxford is dangerously overcrowded.  

I've seen the pictures of this service on arrival at Maidenhead (I think)- absolutely unbelievable, must be close to worst overcrowding ever on a single service?