Great Western Coffee Shop

Line problem: between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple. Owing to flooding between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple all lines are blocked.
Impact:
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled at short notice. Disruption is expected until 09:00 29/12.

Services between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple are suspended in both directions, with no replacement road transport available.

Today's 22nd December ... are they really suggesting it will be a week before services are back to normal, or is that a typo?

Sounds about right.

The really annoying thing is that if you only look at the Live Departures Boards you could be fooled into thinking the trains are still running...
http://www.livedepartureboards.co.uk/fgw/summary.aspx?T=BNP

spout oit rubbish
acrually

Info should be provided by a human being ot a facility for text on a screen.

Devon floods woman rescued after clinging to tree

In Umberleigh, near Barnstaple in north Devon, a woman was swept away from her car in the early hours of Sunday after becoming stuck in fast-flowing flood water.

A police helicopter found her clinging to branches of a tree - where she had been for 50 minutes - on the banks of the swollen River Taw.

She was rescued by a RNLI lifeboat, and treated for exposure to the water.

Her husband told the BBC that he "never thought I would see her again".

John Henderson reports.

Floods: Woman saved from Devon river

A woman was "lucky" to survive after she was swept from a stricken car as floods wreaked havoc in the south-west of England.

Vanessa Glover managed to cling to an over-hanging branch as the River Taw burst its banks at Umberleigh in Devon.

Meanwhile more than 20 people had to flee homes near Exeter as flood waters rose and a severe flood warning remains in place in Cornwall.

Travel disruption also continues as a rail junction in Devon is blocked.

Although flood waters were starting to recede during the day, forecasters warned that more rain could bring fresh hazards on Sunday night and into Christmas Eve.

For hundreds of people across Devon and Cornwall, a mopping up exercise was beginning as residents returned to homes which were damaged by rising waters.

(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/64928000/jpg/_64928289_64922643.jpg)
Plastic dams were set up to protect the railway line at Exeter

But for Mrs Glover the floods came close to ending in tragedy. She and her husband Paul and seven-year-old son Silas became stranded as the River Taw began to rise around their Ford Ranger pick-up in the early hours of Sunday. Mr Glover and Silas managed to scramble out of the cab into the back of the truck but as Mrs Glover was attempting to follow them, she lost her footing and was swept away.

Mr Glover said: "I never thought I'd see her again. I looked around and she was gone." She managed to grab branches and hold on against the rushing water for 50 minutes. A police helicopter using thermal imaging equipment found her about 200 metres away.

Robin Goodlad, from the RNLI, who helped in the rescue, said: "She's extremely lucky. How she managed to hold on in that flow for that amount of time, I have no idea."  Mrs Glover was treated for exposure and her son and husband were rescued from the pick-up by firefighters.

Elsewhere in Devon, 25 people were led to safety by emergency services in Stoke Canon, Exeter, after the River Exe burst its banks.

In Cornwall, a severe flood warning remains in place at Helston, where on Saturday the River Cober flowed into streets and homes.

Meanwhile rail problems were set to continue as part of a junction near Cowley Bridge in Devon has crumbled away under the force of flooding. The line is the link between London Paddington and Penzance but engineers said the problem could last for five days. Plastic dams were used to prevent water from reaching a nearby signals box which, if flooded, could have led to several weeks of repairs.

Flooding at Cowley Bridge means trains are unable to run between Tiverton and Exeter.

Looks strikingly similar, except I expect all the signals worked OK after the water receded!

May I suggest we merge this topic to the flooding thread? 

The strategic answer would appear to be that the GW line is taken across (following the M5 trajectory) to the LSWR one before it descends as far as Stoke Canon.  This would be a reversal of the gauge war period when the LSWR considered going round the back of Exeter.  Central (Queen St) still has a lot of capacity despite building over the goods area and there is just the short run down the hill (Could St Davids be then closed?).  The line would be retained to Cowley Bridge and elevated over the Exe more than it is now.  Then the line would be reinstated via Tavistock as a strategic option against the problems via Dawlish.

There you are Strategy in one paragraph! 

When I start to consider the cost a viaduct on the existing alignment starts to sound cheap.

But how long would the route be closed for whilst it was constructed? Many months at least, if you really mean on the same alignment. Surely the level of disruption during this period would outweigh the long term benefit.

I'm inclined to think that a tactical upgrade of the lines between Exeter, Yeovil and Castle Cary would be the most cost effective solution. A couple of passing loops to enable a basic FGW service could be slotted in, which would probably be of use anyway if the service to Waterloo continues to grow. Prepare a contingency timetable and ensure enough crews have route knowledge, maybe by routing one off peak service a day along the line.

That sounds optimistic to me, although I'm certainly not an expert on the subject. But a viaduct to me implies a series of support pillars, which support beams, which then support the base on the viaduct on which the track is laid. That would certainly take months, so maybe you are looking at something which raises the track but stops short of a full scale viaduct?

For anyone interested in how to construct a viaduct (maybe slightly larger than the one we are talking about here) there is an interesting website on the Hitchin viaduct construction hitchingradeseparation.blogspot.com

That would seem to be a very simple and inexpensive answer to all of the construction issues, ellendune; is there any precedent for such an innovative engineering approach?

There are paths and crews with route knowledge available now though, it just seems that NR haven't offered any paths for FGW via Honiton.

How about putting the signalling cabinets on little mounds to keep them out of the water?

That would be a start.

How about putting the signalling cabinets on little mounds to keep them out of the water?

That would be a start.

Could one not only re-dual the LSWR to Yeovil (needed anyway for development at new town at Cranbrook and planned local service Exeter to Axminster)... 

... but we also need a South Coast service from Plymouth to Ashford via Bournemouth.  We need connecting chords at Yeovil and Dorchester and something done at Brighton.  We need that west chord down the hill at Exeter.

How about putting the signalling cabinets on little mounds to keep them out of the water?

That would be a start.

I'm sure I've seen this done elsewhere, but cant think where to now.

It seems to me therefore that it is possible that a modest enlargement of the span of the underbridge to increase the flow area might resolve the issue without the need to raise the track.

That is why I see it as a relatively simple task that does not requires a long closure of the line.  

I'd really like someone to quote an official source explaining exactly where all these spare paths are, I keep reading that a 2 tph service is possible, but I don't believe it.  (I've also read that SWT won't allow it, because they are in charge of the alliance with NR - and I don't believe that either.)

AIUI if the normal SWT service is running, all that can be added is either an additional train in one direction each hour, or alternate directions in alternate hours.

A full 2 tph service is not possible west of Axminster - we know this already as the additional FGW additional Exeter - Axminster service (proposed in the new franchise ITT) is constrained to be two hourly by infrastructure limitations.

Paul

You were however suggesting earlier in this thread raising the lines.

I'm more inclined to go with this later idea of yours. It may well indeed be easier (disclaimer: I'm not an engineer) to alter the course/improve the flow of the River Culm by concentrating the engineering solution on the river rather than the permanent (or rather semi permanent at the moment!) way.

That said, water has a nasty habit of taking the line of least resistance, so any alteration to the flow needs very careful consideration.

It's Barnsta- P- le please.   >:(

Both the Exe and Culm are meanderings (see GE).  One would need the strategic study, for which I pleaded, before any long term decisions are made.  Stoke Canon is in the middle of the join between the rivers, and as I wrote when I commiserated with Super Guard (who hails from there) it is surprising how many very modern bungalows have been allowed to be built there (see SV) and take a wander around the village).  In similar vein, any proposal to divert or constrain water courses should be examined by experts from the EA (and NE and EH).

(SV is Street View, GE is Google Earth.  I suppose GM would be Google Maps but that is a homonymous acronym unfortunately.) 

FGW website now showing:
Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple
Trains between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple are suspended. Road transport is in place but because of flooding on local roads may not serve all stations. This line will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

FGW website now showing:
Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple
Trains between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple are suspended. Road transport is in place but because of flooding on local roads may not serve all stations. This line will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

Where does it say this?

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/disruption (http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/disruption) says "The line is expected to be closed until at least 29th December", while http://www.journeycheck.com/firstgreatwestern/ (http://www.journeycheck.com/firstgreatwestern/) says "Disruption is expected until 09:00 01/01".

Whoops too much xmas drinkies ;D.  I meant to say the National Rail website says..........

Devon railway weather damage 'worst for 25 years'

Damage caused by the weather to one of Devon's railway lines is the worst in 25 years.

Network Rail this afternoon issued their latest update on services in the county, with the main lines in and out of Devon re-opened at Cowley Bridge near Exeter at 1.15pm today. The up and down lines had been out of action over Christmas after damage caused by flooding. Speed restrictions of 40mph have been imposed in both directions.

However, there is no estimate for the re-opening of the Exeter to Barnstaple branch line. The rail operator says there are a total of 25 washout sites on the Barnstaple line and industry experts say they have never known it suffer so badly in 25 years.

The Topsham to Exmouth branch line remains closed.

I'm more inclined to go with this later idea of yours. It may well indeed be easier (disclaimer: I'm not an engineer) to alter the course/improve the flow of the River Culm by concentrating the engineering solution on the river rather than the permanent (or rather semi permanent at the moment!) way.

That said, water has a nasty habit of taking the line of least resistance, so any alteration to the flow needs very careful consideration.

People keep talking about the river Exe flooding but if you look at the video for example this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIuxDk7u0NY) it is clear that the water in the river Exe (on the side of the Barnstaple line) is still below the tracks, it is the water from the tributary, that cannot get through the underbridge that is spilling over the tracks and into the river Exe, washing the ballast and the embankment out in the process. 

It seems to me therefore that it is possible that a modest enlargement of the span of the underbridge to increase the flow area might resolve the issue without the need to raise the track.

I'm pretty sure the Culm has joined the Exe just south of Stoke Canon, some distance before Cowley Bridge. The Exe meanders a fair bit, and follows two or three channels (or one flaming great big one!) by the time it reaches Cowley Bridge. There, it meets with the Creedy, after which Crediton is named.

The one part of the topography that did not decide its own course is the railway. Which river is which is pretty much academic by here, and the big problem seems to be caused by the damming effects of the various embankments works, once Cowley Bridge becomes too small to let all the water drain away. I am also no engineer, but wonder if replacing some of those raised works with a low span bridge - without raising the level of the railway - would help. It wouldn't stop the railway from being submerged occasionally, which would likely mean a suspension of services, or at least a severe restriction of speed. But once the river level fell, it would be business as usual again much more quickly than at present, as the line would emerge unscathed, with no need to replace 2000 tonnes of ballast.

It may be that something on these lines would be a good solution, but would cost more over a period of time of say 50 years than repairing the embankments a couple of times annually. Or it may be that all the other flooding in the area might mean that trains wouldn't run over Cowley Bridge anyway. It may even be that National Rail is already asking the government for money to do it.

I too sympathise with people in Stoke Canon, flooded twice so close to Christmas. I think, though, that it will serve as a practical demonstration of the folly of building on flat ground between two rivers. My home in Devon is atop a hill, about 100 ft above the level of the nearest rivers. It's a pain if I have to walk back up it after a walk to the pub, but very reassuring.

Tarka Line remains closed pending inspection

The Tarka Line - which connects Exeter to Barnstaple, via Crediton - remains closed following bad weather and flooding, which may have affected the foundations of the track. Network Rail reports that train services are cancelled and that a replacement bus service is running instead.

An inspection by helicopter took place on Thursday this week and will be followed up by a walk-through along the track.

(http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/images/localpeople/ugc-images/275779/Article/images/17711235/4433619.jpg)
​
Peter Craske, spokesman for the Tarka Rail Association, told ThisIsDevon "The lines will be inspected by Network Rail tomorrow [Sunday 30 December]" and explained that there have been issues with ballast being washed out from beneath the tracks.

Commenting on the operator of the line, he said "First Great Western are doing a good job of keeping people informed via their website" and emphasised that "We haven't seen disruption like this in living memory."

The Tarka Line is named after Tarka the Otter, from the book by Henry Williamson.

Fair comment about FGW's information stream. Some will always complain that they were kept in the dark, but FGW's social media folks have shown the value of electronic methods of disseminating alterations to services. I follow the Twitter stream, as well as glancing occasionally at the map at top left, where red lines direct me to FGW's website. Before any train journey, often booked online, I check these, plus the live departure boards.

Recently, following the landslip at Westerleigh, I noticed tweets from someone else I follow, whose journey home from Birmingham wasn't going to plan. He was on a CrossCountry train, and if they have an equivalent service, I couldn't find it. FGW's website showed what the cause of the problem was, and from there, I was able to tell my acquaintance when he could expect to get home. Delays are bad, lack of information makes it much worse.

I look forward to the reopening of the Tarka line. In very few years, it has gone from embarassing to indispensible, and like its cousin the Severn Beach line is an example of what can be done on branch lines if the will is there. But how did it all work before the advent of the internet?

I much suspect that the signalling equipment was working under the water........ ;D ;D ;D

How about putting the signalling cabinets on little mounds to keep them out of the water?

That would be a start.

One Big thing between 1960 and Cowley Bridge today, is that back in 1960 it was BEFORE the Railway altered the course of the river!!!!

Never a good move as water will always try to get back to it's earlier course!

Line problem: between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple.
Owing to flooding between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple all lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled at short notice. Disruption is expected until 09:00 02/01.
Road transport is operating between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple, however because of flooding on local roads this may be limited, and may not be able to serve all intermediate stations.
Latest indications are that the line will not reopen to trains for several days although this is subject to revision at short notice as remedial work progresses.
Message Received: 31/12/2012 13:48

Line problem: between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple.
Owing to flooding between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple all lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled at short notice. Disruption is expected until 09:00 02/01.
Road transport is operating between Exeter St David's and Barnstaple, however because of flooding on local roads this may be limited, and may not be able to serve all intermediate stations.
It is expected that the line will be open from Exeter St David's to Crediton from the start of service on Tuesday 1st January 2013. Customers travelling beyond Crediton to Barnstaple will be required to change at Exeter St David's for replacement road transport.
Further work is required to repair the line between Crediton and Barnstaple and this is expected to take several days, although this is subject to alteration as work progresses.
Message Received: 31/12/2012 21:22

Line problem: between Exeter St David's and Barnstaple.
Owing to flooding between Exeter St David's and Barnstaple all lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled at short notice. Disruption is expected until 09:00 04/01.
Train services are operating between Exeter St David's and Crediton.
However, road transport will remain in operation between Exeter St David's and Barnstaple and may not be able to serve all intermediate stations should local road conditions deteriorate.
Customers travelling to / from stations Yeoford - Barnstaple (inclusive) from / to Exeter St Davids, and beyond, are advised to use the road services through from / to Exeter St David's. Whilst those starting or finishing their journey at Crediton, travelling to / from the Exeter St Davids direction, or beyond, should use the reintroduced train services.
Further work is required to repair the line between Crediton and Barnstaple and this is expected to take several days, although this is subject to alteration as work progresses.
Message Received: 01/01/2013 12:42

Devon Tarka branch line expected to reopen by Monday

(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/65089000/jpg/_65089037_65089036.jpg)
The Tarka line runs for 39 miles (63km) between Exeter and Barnstaple

A branch line in Devon which was closed because of flooding is expected to reopen by Monday.

The train service between Barnstaple and Crediton, which is part of the Tarka Line, was expected to reopen on Saturday.

Network Rail said two bridges had to be inspected by specialist divers before the stretch of line could be reopened.

The section has been closed since December's heavy rain which caused flooding across England.

The Tarka line runs for 39 miles (63km) between Exeter and Barnstaple.

Trains between Exeter St David's and Crediton are running.

In Cornwall, the Liskeard to Looe line, which had also been shut at Christmas following flooding, reopened on Tuesday.