Great Western Coffee Shop

WILL HE NEED TO USE THE SPEAKER SYSTEM AS HE CAN BE VERY LOUD? 

(Sorry got into character when writing this.   ;D)

Would be great to hear some recordings....or You Tube clips from the Station of these being done :-)

Major Emergency Engineering at London Waterloo affecting the South West Trains Network Sunday 14th April 2013

A rail defect was identified between London Waterloo and Vauxhall on Thursday afternoon. The nature of the defect has meant that a temporary speed restriction has had to be imposed which has resulted in a reduction to the number of trains we are able to run across the affected area.

Our engineers have been conducting regular inspections of the area and have advised us that the defect needs to be repaired as quickly as possible, before it deteriorates. We have looked at all possible options to carry out the work in a manner that will have the least amount of impact to our customers.

The engineering team will require 16 hours of access to the track to allow them to remove a rail crossing and replace it with a brand new one. The access required by the engineers will mean that platforms 1 to 10 at London Waterloo will be out of use on Sunday 14th April until approximately 16:00hrs. A very limited train service will run out of London Waterloo as a result of this work.

Please see below for a summary of train services affected by this work. Check here for  engineering improvement work that is already planned to take place aound the network.

West of England

Crewkerne to London Waterloo services at 22 minutes past each hour will terminate at Woking. The 13:22 service from Crewkerne will be the first train to run through to London Waterloo (as will all subsequent departures from Crewkerne).

London Waterloo to Crewkerne services will start from Woking (at 46 minutes past each hour). The 17:15 service will be the first train to start from London Waterloo (as will all subsequent departures).

A train service will run between London Waterloo and Woking in both directions however we expect these services to be very busy.

Suburban - Ewell West

Buses will replace trains between Ewell West and Wimbledon until approximately 15:00. Customers should change at Wimbledon for an onward train service. The times of the first trains to run between Ewell West and London Waterloo are listed below:

14:50 Ewell West to Waterloo
16:32 London Waterloo to Ewell West

All subsequent departures after these times will be trains services (not buses).

Until approximately 15:00 Buses will depart Wimbledon bound for Ewell West at 2 & 32 minutes past each hour, and Ewell West bound for Wimbledon at 19 & 49 minutes past each hour.

Suburban - Guildford (via Cobham)

London Waterloo to Guildford (via Cobham) services will start from Surbiton (at 32 minutes past each hour). The 17:00 service will be the first train to start from London Waterloo (as will all subsequent trains).

Guildford to London Waterloo (via Cobham) services at 50 minutes past each hour will terminate at Surbiton. The 14:50 service from Guildford will be the first train to run though to London Waterloo (as will all subsequent departures). A train service will run between Surbiton and London Waterloo in both directions however we expect these services to be very busy.

Suburban - Chessington South

London Waterloo to Chessington South services will start from Wimbledon (at 10 & 40 minutes past each hour). The 16:51 service will be the first train to start from London Waterloo (as will all subsequent departures).

Chessington South to London Waterloo services at 10 & 40 minutes past each hour will terminate at Wimbledon. The 15:10 service will be the first train to run through to London Waterloo (as will all subsequent departures).

A train service will run between London Waterloo and Wimbledon in both directions however we expect these services to be very busy.

Windsor & Eton Riverside

An hourly service will run between London Waterloo and Windsor & Eton Riverside in both directions until mid-afternoon. Trains will depart London Waterloo at 44 minutes past each hour. Trains will depart Windsor & Eton Riverside at 01 minute past each hour. A twice hourly service will resume between London Waterloo and Windsor & Eton Riverside by mid-afternoon.

Kingston

Kingston to London Waterloo services at 11 minutes past each hour will not run until 15:11 (and all subsequent trains). Alternative train services are available from Kingston to London Waterloo via Richmond.

London Waterloo to Kingston services at 56 minutes past each hour will not run until 15:56 (and all subsequent trains). Alternative train services are available from London Waterloo to Kingston via Richmond.

We are sorry for the inconvenience the additional work this Sunday will cause  while you travel on our network. We are working to repair the fault at the earliest possible opportunity to enable us to deliver our full service again from Monday 15th April.

You might like to correct the date in the topic heading.

Or next Sunday - the London Marathon....

Work was due to take place on 13/14 April to repair a rail defect in the Waterloo area. This was a major piece of work that needed around 16 hours to complete and this work had been scheduled to take place at the earliest possible opportunity.

Unfortunately due to a problem with the technical equipment being used by our external contractors carrying the work, the work could not be completed over the weekend. These technical equipment problems were only uncovered as the work commenced.

We are extremely disappointed that this work could not take place as planned and we are following this up with our external contractors as a matter of priority.

The work is now being planned to take place at the next possible opportunity and to ensure the least amount of impact on our customers.  The work is currently scheduled to take place over the weekend of 20/21 April.  We will confirm more details about the impact this major engineering work will have on our services early next week.  In the meantime, our dedicated team of engineers will continue to monitor the area to enable us to continue to deliver our normal train service.

At this stage, we are not expecting this to have any impact on any of our services over the coming week, and we are planning to run our full train service on Monday 15 April.   We will keep you informed of any further changes needed to facilitate this major engineering work.

Work was due to take place on 13/14 April to repair a rail defect in the Waterloo area. This was a major piece of work that needed around 16 hours to complete.

Unfortunately due to a problem with the technical equipment supplied by our external contractors, the work could not be completed on 13/14 April.

The work has now been planned to take place on Sunday 21st April. Customers with advance tickets that are booked to travel on specific trains are able to use other services as  fare restrictions have been lifted on Sunday 21 April.  A normal Saturday train service will run on Saturday 20th April.

The access required by the engineers will mean that platforms 1 to 10 at London Waterloo will be out of use on Sunday 21 April until approximately 16:00hrs.

A very limited train service will run out of London Waterloo as a result of this work.

Once the work has been completed at 1600hrs a full Sunday service will operate with some trains formed of more coaches than normal.

This work will be taking place in addition to our regular programme of engineering improvement work. Please check here to see how these works may also affect your journey.

London Marathon Participant / Spectator Advice

We strongly advise customers travelling on our services to check before you travel and allow more time to complete your journey. This is due to a significant reduction in the number of trains we can run into and out of London Waterloo until 1600hrs due to the work taking place; we expect all services running into London Waterloo will be extremely busy.

Alterations to your Train Service

Please use the expandable links below for more details about the service on Sunday 21 April. Please also note that our timetable is being amended to reflect these alterations and this information is currently not showing in the online Journey Planners. This will be available on Thursday 18 April.

Network Rail and SWT have officially announced the start and schedule for the planned work to increase capacity at Waterloo. They have headlined it as costing ^800 million, which sounds a lot for stretching platforms 1-4 a bit and reopening 21-24. I'm sure they are counting the Class 707 order in that, and probably other things too. I'm also a bit puzzled why it would take nearly two years (ending December 2018) to make Waterloo International operation again, unless they are going to do a lot to the track.

I heard this is causing problems for GWR as a planned diversion into Waterloo might not be able to happen.  Last I heard was a rumour they were investigating the possibility of HST's into Victoria!

The BBC's report (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35882068) in this case confuses things somewhat - I can't see platforms 1-4 serving Reading! But NR's statement (http://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/2016/mar/investment-over-%C2%A3800m-Waterloo-upgrade/)...

Council approves plans to convert Grimshaw's former Eurostar terminal into shops
2 November, 2016 By Colin Marrs

Corstorphine + Wright has won permission to transform part of the former Eurostar terminal at Waterloo into shops, restaurants, cafés and bars – after Historic England declined to consider the Grimshaw structure for listing

London Borough of Lambeth’s planning committee last night (1 November) gave the thumbs-up to the new scheme to overhaul the former international departures and arrivals lounges, creating 12,444m² of new facilities.

Work has already started on revamping the five platforms within the disused station - the landmark building with its lattice-work arches which sits above the proposed shopping and leisure complex - to increase the number of domestic train services into Waterloo.

In May the 20th Century Society applied for the entire structure to be Grade II listed, but this option has been rejected by Historic England.
...

It was announced at the beginning of July that platform 10 will be closed as well as 1-9. Supposedly this is to make sure the work can be finished in the time allowed. So, whatever you had been expecting, expect worse!

Another news item is that for the last (short Tue-Fri) working week of August, while London Bridge area is closed, Southeastern are running a 2 tph Ramsgate service into P21/22.

Most of the material produced on this upgrade (both material and immaterial) has the logos of NR, SWT, and "funded by UK government". However, NR's animated video showing what they are doing (on SWT's upgrade site) ends with "in partnership with" LCR as well as the other two. Do they still have some form of ownership of the erstwhile international terminal?

There appears to be some diversions of SWT West of England services into Reading. I've just spotted on Open Train Times a 1Z26 which has gone via Mortimer into P3 at RDG. It's not showing up on RTT but on LDB there's a 0945 arrival at Reading from Exeter St David's via Salisbury and Basingstoke. The next departure that way showing on LDB is a 1002 from RDG to Salisbury. That's then followed by a 1011 arrival from EXD departing back there at 1047. None of these currently appear on RTT at RDG.

That engineering train is in P10, isn't it? The very one that (with its approach line(s)) was made part of the possession by a late change in July? So, if there was something in the plans or instructions to signallers that wasn't changed then, so a train leaving P11 could use the line to P10 ...

Looking at the pictures, it seems a possibility that the engineering train was longer than was expected, or it had been moved, and that the passenger train then collided sidewise where the lines converge.

I've been in and out of Waterloo half a dozen times recently and that train has been an almost permanent feature, at the current length.  The line it is on is within the possession until well beyond the point of impact.

It can be seen present, (either with the cab just at the platform end, or just beyond) in a number of online images and videos taken at different times, e.g. this from 8th Aug by Paul Bigland: http://PaulBigland.zenfolio.com/p671909530/e92a8b12d

Paul

But the engineering train shouldn't affect the signalling, should it? All track within the possession should be off limits, - I'm not sure whether that would involve screwdrivers and crocodile leads these days, but the effect should be the same. The issues concerns the boundary - all track entering the possession should appear "occupied" permanently, and be marked by sticky tape on the panel (or its soft equivalent on-screen).

(https://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/660/cpsprodpb/0E59/production/_97337630_mediaitem97337629.jpg)

Good news is that platforms 11 and 12 are back in use with just platform 13 closed.

That looks like some evidence of their having been two issues (as was reported on SWT's website yesterday morning), perhaps the points giving access to P13 from the P14 approach track are a separate fault?  P13 is now showing NOGO on the opentraintimes map, and as you say P11 and P12 are seeing normal movements via yesterdays main incident site.

http://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/signalling/wat

Paul

Slightly sad that the last days of the SWT franchise will be remembered for the blockade at Waterloo that will benefit the new franchise and not all the many good things that SWT have achieved over the years. Not saying they were perfect but it has been one of the better franchises.

I'm guessing you're not a member of the South Hampshire Rail User Group then?   ;)

First Group must be relieved it didn't happen just after they'd taken over, as that would no doubt have been a difficult start from which to recover.

I'm guessing you're not a member of the South Hampshire Rail User Group then?   ;)

I guess SHRUG will be wound down now, because he's been pushing the line that everything that ever goes wrong is down to SWT for years now. 

(I always assume there are very few members of SHRUG - and they don't deserve the coverage  they get.)

Obviously everything will be perfect again from Sunday, just like it was under BR...

Further points failures affecting Pl 13....

What ever happened to clipping, scotching and padlocking points in such circumstances?

I think that's what Paul meant by securing the points in the 'normal' position.

What's Going On:
A reoccurred points failure affecting platforms 11 and 12, an earlier points failure affecting trains using platforms 20 to 24 at London Waterloo and a low-speed partial derailment yesterday has caused disruption to services. Points are sections of track that allow trains to change from one line to another.

Trains are now able to use platforms 11 and 12 at London Waterloo after engineers investigated a problem with a set of points.

Trains are still unable to use platform 13 at London Waterloo for the remainder of the day following the derailment yesterday. Engineers will continue to make repairs today and overnight tonight so that this platform can be brought back into use.

Looking at the track diagram, I suspect that if the "double slip (diamond) crossing", (which was the scene of yesterdays incident), is still defective, and it was secured in the 'normal' position for access into P11 and P12, then it would prevent use of P13.

Maybe one of our signalling gurus would like to offer a better opinion?

Paul

Do we know whether the derailment has caused any delays to the programme of works being undertaken?

Waterloo is a 1990 relay interlocking controlled from Wimbledon SCC by duplicated Time Division Multiplex (TDM) remote control and indication systems.  The interlocking is divided into 'Main Line' and 'Windsor' sides and each half is controlled by separate panels at Wimbledon.

IIRC this sort of horizontal split runs all the way through to Clapham Junction - which as most people know doesn't really operate as a junction, more of a 'coming together'...  ;D

Sounds like they might need some significant changes to the signallers MMI...

Paul

On the WNXX Forum it was mentioned that the derailed train (once rerailed) was stabled in Platform No.13 so perhaps its still there?

I wonder whether perhaps the points were set wrong when the inward working entered P13 some 20 minutes earlier.  This “trailing” of the points would not of course have caused a derailment, but would have damaged them and could have lead to the 0540 outward working derailing when passing over them. 

Following a low-speed partial derailment on Tuesday, we are unable to use platform 13 at London Waterloo. Engineers attempted repairs overnight but were unable to complete them without causing significant disruption to morning services. As a result, the work to bring the platform back into use will take place overnight on Thursday 17 August.

from the SWT journey check

Not sure about this 'inward working to P13'?  The incident train was leaving P11, there have been various images online showing the majority of the train still in P11 after the event.  Another unit was trapped in P12 after the incident, and P13 was inaccessible, but IIRC empty at the time.

This Guardian article shows the aftermath, the barrier train being in the P10 approach:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/16/rail-passengers-second-day-delays-waterloo-derailment

Paul 

Sorry, my mistake, I should have said P11 not P13.

...[later]  and RTT shows the train in P12 arrived after the train in P11, so that's my theory blown out of the water!

In the end, however, the additional closure of platform 10 was required, due to the need for a barrier train at the end of platform 10 and across the Up Main Fast.

Now that they are into the final phases of work the barrier train seems to be long gone, I think it went around 0230 Thursday.   There's now much less activity than before, haven't seen much in the way of yellow plant either.

I expect most of the interlocking testing is done in lineside locations, is there ever a stage when they actually get a handful of real trains out and test all the moves?

Paul

Presumably one of the major aspects is the Wimbledon panel changes, because that is very much a hardware panel as opposed to a display?

....and of course there is the traction conductor rail to test for gapping etc.  Calling ET  ;)

The Industrial Action involving platforms 7 & 8 at Waterloo discussed upstream has been suspended for 8 weeks to allow NR to plan an engineering solution to the signalling issues raised. For the 8 weeks trains over 8 cars require an additional person holding driver competancy to assist with signal sighting during dispatch when leaving platforms 7 or 8.

Gauging is done by measurement, a hand trolley is initially used which has GPS and laser alinement instruments also the tamper will give accurate positioning and finally any pinch points can be checked by hand

Or, have they come over all up-to-date, with gauging done in the CAD/CAE and the track measured to check whether as built=as drawn? Though that's not a huge difference, in practice, but I'm sure that will have been done to the platforms and any other structures.

South Western Railway Alert Service <noreply@nexusalpha.com>
17:51 (1 hour ago)

 to me
Dear Customer,

A further five platforms at London Waterloo had to be closed from 16:00 this afternoon to help support the ongoing engineering works, resulting in platforms 1 -19 being closed.
Train services running across the whole South Western Railway network may be delayed or revised. We are anticipating disruption until the end of the day.

What We're Doing About It

Services from Exeter St. Davids will terminate at Basingtoke.You should change at Basingstoke to the next available London Waterloo bound service to continue your journey.

Services to Exeter St. Davids will commence from Basingstoke.You should travel on a Basingstoke, Bournemouth, Southampton Central or Weymouth bound service and change at Basingstoke.

Services to and from Guildford via Epsom will be suspended. You may use Southern services to and from London Victoria via Clapham Junction.

How We're Helping You Complete Your Journey

You may use your rail ticket on:

- Southern services via any reasonable route.
- Thameslink services via any reasonable route.
- Great Western Railway services via any reasonable route.
- Cross Country services between Bournemouth and Reading via Basingstoke.
- London Underground services via any reasonable route.
- TFL buses across the South Western Railway network.

Replacement buses will be in operation between Guildford and Leatherhead in both directions, operating every half hour, commencing from Guildford at approximately 18:00 and Leatherhead at approximately 18:30.

We are in the process of organising supplemental road transport. More details will be provided as soon as they have been confirmed.

The reduction in services will mean that trains will be much busier than normal. We strongly recommend you allow extra time to travel and check your journey before setting off by using http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/.

We apologise for the disruption to your journey today.

Thank you,
South Western Railway

Further Problems today some lines blocked.

Not a good start for South Western Railways

From RAIB today (30th) 10h01

The collision occurred because a set of points were misaligned and directed the passenger train away from its intended route. The misalignment was a consequence of a temporary modification to the points control system which also caused the train driver and signaller to receive indications that the points were correctly aligned.

To those of us who have undertaken risk assessments, it is always about one's position in the matrix bounded by likelihood - on the one hand - and consequences on the other, and what mitigation you employ in each part of that risk space. To my eyes, the barrier train did exactly what it was supposed to do in these circumstance.  It looks to me like it was the blunt, but all powerful, back-stop against a risk that was very unlikely, but with huge negative consequences if it happened.

I will be interested to see the RIAB look into the risk assessment programme.

Although the barrier train was more likely to prevent construction site RRV incursion onto the operational railway than operational rail vehicles incursion into the construction site.

Yes, I heard that on the news this morning. However, having run through the arrivals into Waterloo up to 9:00 I can only see one that's over 10 minutes late, and that was less than 20 minutes lost around Raynes Park. So was there a problem with the signals - or someone in BBC local news having a problem with telling today's reports from yesterday's?

From RAIB today (30th) 10h01

The collision occurred because a set of points were misaligned and directed the passenger train away from its intended route. The misalignment was a consequence of a temporary modification to the points control system which also caused the train driver and signaller to receive indications that the points were correctly aligned.

I would also have  expected the point in question to be clipped and padlocked as well as relying on "A temporary modification to the points control system". Might burn the point motor out!

It is a double slip crossover, with four routes/positions.    IIRC from other discussions there are four separate points machines, and four possible positions of the crossover.   AIUI they cannot be partially clipped out of use because of the way the moving blades have to interact.   Clipping it in one position, say UMR to P12/13, would have taken P11 out of use. (or vice versa.)

Paul

That doesn't sound quite right. Surely the four routes only occur in two pairs, i.e. it has just two positions. If all the movements are linked, however many motors do the pushing, then you can't lock out one route without blocking the other route linked to it. If they all moved independently that might not be true - though detection might be an issue.

The point end approached by the passenger train that was incorrectly set is operated as a double slip pair.  The third end, controlled by the same point identity, was under the barrier train.  On a double slip each end is a pair that operate together from a single point operating mechanism.  I'll post up a drawing later.

Alterations to services due to additional late night engineering works at London Waterloo

We have been advised that access is required at  London Waterloo station from 22:45 to work on signalling equipment, this access will limit the number of platforms trains can use.

Seven trains will be altered this evening and advertised trains may leave London Waterloo from different platforms.

The following services have been amended:

·        21:33 London Waterloo via Twickenham train will terminate at Raynes Park
·        21:46 Guildford to London Waterloo train will terminate at Wimbledon
·        22:07 Guildford to London Waterloo train will terminate at Wimbledon
·        22:57 London Waterloo via Twickenham train will start at Raynes Park
·        22:15 Alton to London Waterloo train will terminate at Surbiton
·        23:03 London Waterloo to Guildford train will start at Wimbledon
·        23:48 London Waterloo to Basingstoke train will start at Surbiton

If you are travelling from London Waterloo station later tonight, you are advised to check your journey before travelling.

If you have advanced booked tickets for these trains, you will be able to travel on alternative trains.

Incident created
    31/08/2017 18:49
Last updated
    31/08/2017 19:31
Route affected
      Between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour / Alton / Guildford / Epsom / Woking / Reading / Weymouth / Poole
TOC(s) affected
    South Western Railway; 
Description
    Following a track circuit failure at London Waterloo all lines have now reopened.
    What's Going On:
    Train services running to and from this station may be delayed by up to 20 minutes. Disruption is expected until 21:00.
    What South Western Railway Are Doing About It:
    The signalling problem at London Waterloo has been temporarily fixed to allow trains to run on all lines. Engineers will be applying a permanent fix later today.
    South Western Railway may need to alter some trains but it will now have a minimal affect on the wider service.

There were also cancellations announced by SWR to SE services, which sounds odd. They are borrowing a platform (21, currently) for a week, accessed via the Nine Elms Flyover, or in other words by playing at being Eurostars.

P21 and P22 was planned for SE.  I think what has been happening is that if disruption to the wider SWR service is forecast, then they are being pre-emptively diverted to Blackfriars. Lose access to a main line (whether DMF, UMF, UMR) in the station throat and the knock on effects ripple across the other 5 lines.

The fact that Blackfriars appears to have spare capacity to take that 2 tph service anyway is intriguing, it is as if the four days planned at Waterloo was only being done to create a precedent for future use?

There seems to be a greater emphasis on normal "run of the mill" random faults at the moment.   AIUI no recent modifications were made to the platform lines on the Windsor side and in the middle of the array of platforms used by main fast trains.  It stands to reason that there will be a minor fault every few days or weeks, it has always been so.

Paul

The point end approached by the passenger train that was incorrectly set is operated as a double slip pair.  The third end, controlled by the same point identity, was under the barrier train.  On a double slip each end is a pair that operate together from a single point operating mechanism.  I'll post up a drawing later.

In the meantime here is a video that shows the principle of operation.  Its not in the UK but the principles are the same: https://youtu.be/VpfJdm71u6g

Did you manage to find a drawing?  I'm thinking the signalling panel engraved lines means something the way they are drawn, presumably they show the default straight route (i.e. P11 left <> DMR right) with everything set normal?

I had a quick glance at the hardware from a passing train and it looks like these are "clamp lock" operation, does that affect how the pairs are linked/operated?

Paul

Thanks.   In the conversation about four positions, of course what we a looking at is analogous to a binary truth table, where Normal and Reverse are the equivalent of 0 and 1.  So two 'mechanisms' each with 2 conditions gives you four results?

N N
N R
R N
R R

...sort of thing?

Paul

Still doesn't answer why weren't the points clipped N N. If RN and RR would cause a collison

Well, I'm glad to see that you two apparently understand it ...  :P :-[

Still doesn't answer why weren't the points clipped N N. If RN and RR would cause a collison

Primarily points 1524A and 1524B should have been clipped in their normal position (as per plan) but were not.

Secondarily, a test wire was left connected which shorted out the electrical detectors to 1524A&B and fooled the signalling system into believing the point blades were correctly set and locked normal.

If only one of the above had happened the accident would not have occurred - it required the combination of the two. Holes in the cheese.

Had unclipped point blades moved without the testing wire being present, detection would have been lost and the starting signal would not have cleared.

With points 1524A and 1524B (and 1524C) all clipped normal, how would they achieve a route into P13/14?

With points 1524A and 1524B (and 1524C) all clipped normal, how would they achieve a route into P13/14?

Am I missing something obvious here?

Paul

Paul,  if you look at Figure 2 in the report you will see that it is 1525AB points that direct trains into/out of Platforms 12/13/14/15.  1524ABC points are only required normal for those movements.

Ok ta.   Goes back to that '4 state' truth table we discussed earlier doesn't it.

Paul

One of the basic principles of signalling testing is that all Test Straps are individually numbered.  When you fit them you ‘count them all out and then count them all back in again’ to make sure one doesn’t get accidentally left in place.  If a ‘strap’ is required to be left into place after commissioning then it should be made permanent and designed/checked/approved within well documented procedures and standards.

Lets wait and see what the continuing RAIB investigation throws up.......

Lets wait and see what the continuing RAIB investigation throws up.......

I agree, very worrying that they know an incident will occur in Cardiff in 88 years time.

Appears RAIB have produced their  Interim Report.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a3bc2b8ed915d61889d9b4e/IR022017_171220_Waterloo.pdf (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a3bc2b8ed915d61889d9b4e/IR022017_171220_Waterloo.pdf)

Roger Ford has a summary in Febs Modern Railway.

Appears a Test Strap was left in place and the relevant points not clipped. He says similar to Cardiff incident in 2106 when a decommissioned set of points was not clipped.

Very worrying.

There's a lift outside the Waterloo station 'arch' exit (exit 5, if you will). Where does it go?

Isn’t this one of the routes to the IMAX cinema on the roundabout?

Paul

There's a lift outside the Waterloo station 'arch' exit (exit 5, if you will). Where does it go?

All lines have reopened between Surbiton and London Waterloo as the overrunning engineering work has now been completed. As trains and train crew are in the wrong locations for their next duty, services will remain severely disrupted for the rest of today.

Trains across the whole Southern and Thameslink network may be delayed, cancelled or revised this morning, this is due to earlier overrunning engineering work at various locations.
...
Following planned weekend engineering works over running, all lines have re-opened in the London Victoria area.

Additionally, a freight train is currently blocking the line in the Haydons Road area. This train was supposed to cross over onto the Wessex route earlier this morning but has been unable to due to overunning engineering works in the Surbiton area. Due to no alternative routes being available for the train to take the southbound line is currently blocked. Attempts are being made to move the train off the route as the engineering works have concluded, however as this took place a Track Circuit failed at Wimbledon and is now requiring further attention from Network Rail specialist signalling technicians.

Whilst blame doesn't lie with SWR, they have to handle the fallout. And it looks like they're not doing a very good job communicating.

I was never called a 'SPECIALIST' signal technician in my time in the S&T.  Can't repeat here what I was called at times, though...... ::)

Correspondents here too.....The subject line is incorrect, as noted by posts above.

The RAIB has observed that there are certain similarities between the factors that caused the Waterloo accident and those which led to the serious accident at Clapham Junction in 1988. The RAIB has therefore expressed the concern that some of the lessons identified by the public inquiry, chaired by Anthony Hidden QC following Clapham, may be fading from the railway industry’s collective memory.

Simple sequence of events ……….. as I understand it.

• Defective rail need to be replaced, just routine work that had been planned in.
  Defective rails had been removed.
  RRV runs through a set of points in the wrong direction thus damaging the points, something that should not happen but sadly does.
  Whole team stood down for 3 hours for a safety brief /investigation
  Re-rail team informs NR that they will not complete intime
  At this time SWR Shunters had gone off shift, mainline drives do not have route knowledge for depots.
  

Melt down!!!!

I trust he means rails, not track.  If the track had to be replaced it would have been very drastic and certainly taken more than a week..... ::)

but that was our old friend "signalling at Earley" having a bit of a strop.

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Reading and Wokingham fewer trains are able to run on the line towards Wokingham

Last Updated:20/11/2018 15:00

As you say, they don't really need 23-24 yet, and would probably cost money to staff, clean and maintain those pair of platforms, probably easier to keep it under wraps until they plan on properly using them.

Up to 100,000 rail commuters suffered travel chaos today as overrunning night engineering work halted services into mainline Waterloo station.

A second set of Network Rail (NR) overrunning engineering works in the Dorking and Epsom area added to the disruption.

Cancellations and late running and changes to the timetable will last most of the day.

Problems in the Waterloo area meant trains were unable to leave a number of depots and enter service.

When they did start running there were delays of an hour with cancellations and revised short notice changes to service.
Operator South Western Railway (SWR) told commuters tickets were being accepted on Great Western Railway (GWR) services between Basingstoke, Reading and Paddington.

Tickets are also being accepted on Southern Railway and London Underground between Waterloo, Richmond/Wimbledon and Paddington.

An NR spokesperson said:  “We apologise to passengers for the disruption to services across the south western network this morning owing to a possession overrun. Disruption, including severe delays and cancellations, will last until the afternoon. Passengers should check with their train operator or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk before travelling.”

It came as it was revealed London commuters face the threat of more overruns and weekend closures over the next five years as NR spends a record £24 billion from April trying to sort out the daily chaos with track, signal and points faults a top priority.

But it means more overnight engineering work bringing with it the threat of it not finishing on time and hitting morning rush-hour services.

NR will announce next week more than £2b will be spent on maintenance and day to day upgrades on lines out of Waterloo; Southern, Southeastern and Thameslink will receive £4.5b of upgrades with a further £4.5b on routes to and from Paddington.

from Get Surrey (https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/11-unusual-things-waterloo-station-17567994) - a list of "11 unusual things about Waterloo station you probably didn’t know".  I am sufficiently sad, old and fully read to rarely be surprised by things in these lists - but in this case 4 were new to me ... so sharing in case there are some new to you too.

See Waterloo - the sidings thread for the same info

Duplicate thread started in the SWR board

As per most 'new articles' others got there first.  Ian Visits (https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the-sidings-waterloo-stations-deserted-shopping-mall-57836/) wrote about this back on 4 October

I took a look a few weeks ago. It's a very long walk from the concourse to the Brewdog pub with only a handful of shops occupied in between. I wish I had used a stopwatch ......

Brewdog’s £7 a pint of beer-flavoured water is outrageous. When Spoons can do pints of real ale for £3.50’ish Brewdog’s greed is unacceptable.

If I could make a little plug here ? Just over Waterloo Road is the Union Jack Club: Cheap beer (£2.90), excellent food, superb value accommodation and first class general surroundings. If you are an ex member of the UK armed forces (non-commissioned) it is well worth its annual membership fee, just for a couple of visits a year to break even.

https://ujc.org.uk/

This time I started from the National Windrush Monument on the concourse, pressed Start on the OutdoorActive app and walked to Brewdog and pressed End. The app tells me that this time I walked 0 metres. That's probably due to a lack of a GPS signal down there. It also tells me I walked less than a minute which also doesn't sound right. I'll try again next week using my phones stopwatch

Due to a signalling problem at London Waterloo some lines are blocked.

What's Going On:
Train services running to and from this station may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

What We're Doing About It:
Due to a major signalling problem we are advising customers not to attempt to travel to or from London Waterloo this morning.

Until further notice, a significantly reduced service will operate to and from London Waterloo on a very limited number of lines.

Very poor planning if a single power failure can cause this scale of disruption.
What exactly has failed ? If the incoming supply from the DNO has failed, then network rail should have a functioning emergency generator to supply signalling and other critical loads.

If the incoming supply is functioning, and the fault lies in network rail internal infrastructure, then this should have been duplicated, with two supplies to critical loads, via different routes and preferably from different substations.

Presumably the DC traction supply is still available ? Did no one think of installing a backup supply to signalling, this being derived from the traction current supply.

And as a last resort, what about a hired generator ? These are available on short notice from Agreko, MEMs power and many others. They also hire cables and distribution equipment.

London Waterloo: The hidden world beneath busy railway station

Beneath the UK's busiest railway station is a labyrinth of arches and alleyways dating back to 1848.
On its 175th anniversary, the BBC has ventured underneath London Waterloo to have a look around.

Necropolis Railway: The railway trip where only some returned

The railway trip where only some returned

Dexters are delighted to introduce for sale this iconic Grade II Listed landmark building, Westminster Bridge House located on Westminster Bridge Road set within close proximity to London Waterloo station.

Constructed 1902, Westminster Bridge House, was the former offices and first-class entrance to the London Necropolis Railway, providing access to the London Necropolis Railway Station commonly known as "Cemetery Station".

The station closed in 1941 and the building was subsequently purchased by Transmarine Shipping Agencies Limited and used as their London Head Offices until 1987 when the property was acquired by Picasso Investment Corporation.

The grand façade and arched entrance provides access to this ornate Edwardian building featuring circa 750 square metres (8,076 sq ft) of internal space. The building is arranged over six floors plus a basement room and is currently designated as office space (Use Class E).

This historic building will be sold with the benefit of full planning permission for the change of use from the existing office space (Use Class E) to residential dwellings (Use Class C3) creating seven luxury private residential apartments (4nos. one-bedroom apartments and 3nos. two-bedroom apartments).

and direct HST's trains from London Waterloo non stop to Bath and Bristol and onto Cardiff in the 1990's.