Great Western Coffee Shop

Just seen this on the BBC web site...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35293133 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35293133)

Go on TaplowGreen...you know you want to comment!

Of course, in-cab signalling would solve this problem one would have thought....

Except the one place were ERTMS in-cab signalling has been installed, the Cambrian coast line, had major problems caused by bright sunlight falling onto the screen in the cab!   http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/problems-plague-new-railway-signalling-1821886

Except the problem was the drivers couldn't see the full length of the train for despatch because (I presume) they were looking directly into the low sun.  So not a signalling issue.

April 1st already?............surely Christmas wasn't that long ago?

Not looking directly into the sun. Looking into dispatch mirrors/CCTV screens that were obscured by reflections of the low sun. Drivers had to leave their cabs and observe the PTI to ensure it was safe to proceed. Still some worry for them after returning to their cabs I'd guess.

This presumably happens every year though?

Perhaps it used be described with the good old fashioned 'operating difficulties' description?  I'm all for the more honest and detailed reasons that are now being given - even if it opens the railway up to ridicule for people who don't understand what it's like to try and make sure that your 12-carriage train has no obstructions when the light is low and piercingly bright.  Following the trap and drag incident at Hayes recently, GWR drivers have been made very aware of the need to make absolutely sure the doors are clear.

To be fair, if you ever travel by road on the m4 east bound at certain times of the year the area around Jn12 is notorious for traffic slow downs especially if it has rained and the sun is at the right angle because it is very difficult to see without being dazzled. So the problem is def not unique to rail travel!

Maybe we just don't normally get sun this time of year? It will literally be only a few days the sun will be in the wrong position and then will be ok after that again?

I for one believe and understand Southeastern's explanation. Like leaves on the line, it is a serious matter that sounds risible to the uninitiated. II is correct in his assessment of the potential risk, which certainly isn't funny. It may not happen every year - at this location, low rising sun is probably an issue for half an hour a day for about a week, until the sun moves a little further north, and then only on clear days.

BerkshireBuggy is right in saying this affects more than just trains. Suddenly losing sight of the way forward in any moving vehicle is alarming at least. My journey to work is presently done in the dark, but I know that in about 4 weeks, for a week or so, I shall round a bend into the rising sun, will realise that the windscreen is slightly misty, and won't be able to see a sodding thing. I had a similar experience when trying to land a plane once, on only my third solo session and my first trip away from the airfield. It was no comfort to hear an Airbus pilot on the radio complaining that he couldn't see the runway either, especially as he wouldn't be able to see little me in front of him.

So I won't be laughing at Southeastern's misfortune and explanation. Not very loudly, anyway.

Ladbroke Grove

I had reason to travel along a road heading south-west at about 3pm yesterday, and the sun in my eyes was quite extraordinarily bright.

Lazy crowd-pleasing journalism; where's the balance? This isn't an 'excuse', it is a 'very good reason'.

I used to live near Newport (South Wales) and drive daily to Reading along the M4.  At certain times of the year if it had been raining the drive home with the sun reflecting off the motorway was extremely difficult and tiring. Unfortunately due to the regular traffic on the old A33 it was difficult to adjust my time of leaving the office in Reading with any reliability.

Exactly, couldn't agree more. Sadly it's crowd pleasing journalism to give the people what they want; a reason to give the railway another good kicking.

I should have fully read the story sorry.  I assume that these were only minor delays of a few minutes each.  If that is the case then it really isn't much to get excited about whatever the reason. 

I blame Southeastern twitter operator(s) - they need media training, and rather daying it's a sunshine problem, instead it should have simply been explained as a safety issue.

How do they cope with this problem in other countries?

Put shades in suitable areas. You'd expect them to be already present from previous years, wouldn't you?

All screens and mirrors are already shaded.

To shade them from really low winter sun would be impossible.

You occasionally get problems with sun reported shining on things like junction indicators (feathers) such that they appear lit.  Seems to happen less with the new style LED signals.

So why has it not been a problem in previous years? the relevant days can't all have been cloudy :-)

Surely with the right height/angle of screen/mirror, it should be possible?

I've never been in a drivers cab but what protection do drivers have from direct sun into their eyes? Is it like a car where you have a pull down blind?

It probably has, but no-one from the TOC has been stupid enough to admit to it on social media before.   'Operational issues' used to be the catch all...

Paul

On the contrary,I'm really loving the new honesty in the explanations for delays etc..............how about this one?

17:18 London Paddington to Oxford due 18:48 

Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 5.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

Failed due to a cab heating issue earlier in the day that one.  Turbo vice HST.