Great Western Coffee Shop

On a more serious note has anyone seen the structure they've put up to hang signal S132 Down Relief at A4 Dumb Bell bridge Taplow. You'll only se it from the train if you on the Up Relief looking towards the main line.

However it's visable form teh A4 going West just before the bridge.

OHLE compliant!

A few others were replaced between Maidenhead and West Drayton using the same  design over the Christmas break.  A different design, encompassing a 'proper' gantry, are being used on similar signals between Reading and Didcot.

The great dividing line between Crossrail and the rest of the Route  ::)  The Crossrail route between Maidenhead and Paddington is having a ETCS system with ATO potential being developed by the Thameslink signalling team for introduction at the end of the decade.  It is seen as the next step to increase line capacity, it could be all wayside signals between possibly Reading and Paddington could be abolished by 2025!

ETCS is going further than that - the 2013 Route Plan said:

ETCS on Western Route: CP5 strategy and implementation
CP5 delivery of ETCS on Western Route comprises:
Western key output 5: ETCS level 2 overlay Paddington to Heathrow by September 2017
Western key output 7: ETCS overlay Paddington to Bristol by July 2019
Western key output 8: all trains ETCS fitted/Lineside Signals removed ^ by December 2025

Unless that's slipped already ...

There is very little in the way of wayside or track equipment its all in the software and train mounted equipment

I don't wish to be a Luddite, but could it be that the increased complexity of the train-borne equipment will lead to lower train reliability? Will this cancel out the greater reliability of the reduced quantity of line-side equipment?

And, as an aside, who will be responsible for looking after the train-borne equipment? The running maintenance depots or the signalling fraternity?

The on-board ETCS kit is a bit more complex than the AWS/TPWS kit and essentially means that significant parts of the signalling kit is moved from the lineside to the train. This seems to me to be a significant change - is there sufficient experience from the Cambrian trial to assist this changeover to be made smoothly?

I don't wish to be a Luddite, but could it be that the increased complexity of the train-borne equipment will lead to lower train reliability?

I was going to answer and comment that we've seen that already, with services cancelled due to failures such as speedometer and windscreen wipers, which many steam engines never had, I don't think.   We also had a cancellation due to the failure of cab heater the other week - I was going to add that to my list of 'new failure opportunities', but then realised that if the kettle went off the boil on a steam engine, it was more of  problem than just keeping warm.

edit to sort out quoting

I was going to answer and comment that we've seen that already, with services cancelled due to failures such as speedometer and windscreen wipers, which many steam engines never had, I don't think.   We also had a cancellation due to the failure of cab heater the other week - I was going to add that to my list of 'new failure opportunities', but then realised that if the kettle went off the boil on a steam engine, it was more of  problem than just keeping warm.

edit to sort out quoting

Ah with the way DfT contract the provision of rolling stock now the train manufactures / maintainer have to present a train ready for service to the TOC if its not presented fit they don't get paid ............. what can possibly go wrong with this arrangement  ::) ;D

That aside, one must move with the times. If the new kit is like any other computer-based system, it will be modular, to allow for easy repair.  Software upgrades will be regular, to screw every last bit of performance out of the new systems, with duplication of safety-critical parts. One can expect constant monitoring of systems, with backroom analysis driving forward improvements and efficiencies on the IEP trains.

Might be prudent to take a pack of detonators and a selection of flags along too, just in case...

Not so sure about you optimism about software upgrades. It's going to be mammoth task to upgrade all the trains and the operaing centres simultaneously.

Can't see simultaneous software upgrades being a problem in the 2020s with the technology already making it possible to upload data onto trains wirelessly in a very short space of time.

Can't see simultaneous software upgrades being a problem in the 2020s with the technology already making it possible to upload data onto trains wirelessly in a very short space of time.

If so, the train could pull out of Chippenham on Windows 97, and arrive at Bath running 8.1 (with service patch).

My thoughts too. Will the 25Kv line have the capability to carry data, like National Grid's stuff has? If so, the train could pull out of Chippenham on Windows 97, and arrive at Bath running 8.1 (with service patch).

Data is not transmitted over the 25kV cables, the control of the traction system is sent over the internal railway fibre network

If it's Windows, the train will crash during the update.  :P ;) ;D

Strange you should mention Windows :) one of the ECR's has just had its SCADA top end computers replaced with a Windows 7 based architecture

Apart from a few dc traction ECR's still using 1950/60's electromechanical systems a couple are using a DOS based architecture on 386 computers  :o :o

There is a National SCADA project underway, which GWEP is part of, to upgrade all the ECR top ends and replace all the electromechanical systems.

Back on topic....

Journeycheck text has signal problems twixt Oxford & Paddington....

In aviation circles, it is said that the main advantage of a twin-engined aircraft over a single-engined model is that it doubles the chances of engine failure...

Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. An estimate for the resumption of normal services will be provided as soon as the problem has been fully assessed.

The service has worsened since the previous post, with about a dozen cancelations and many trains serving only part of the route. Some of the problems are signalling related but most seem to be due to a person hit by a train :(

SCDA? ECR?

Points failure now at Twyford, it seems that at least a couple of trains have been stuck on the Mains for about 30 minutes so far, and it would appear from Twitter that Reading West MP Alok Sharma is on one of them...

At least he has time to converse with his fellow constituents about his policies with the upcoming election on the horizon - he should welcome such an opportunity  ;) ;D

I'm also on a service delayed by the fatality at Ealing Broadway. We have FGWs head of communication Dan Panes on our train.

Delays to services between Ealing Broadway and London Paddington

The positive was that all of the annoying people who pile through unhindered from standard to first class as soon as we cross the M25 in order to gain an extra 30 metres had to stand for 25mins.

Last Updated :23/01/2015 14:02 Delays to services between London Paddington and Southall Due to a train fault between London Paddington and Southall the Reading bound main line is blocked.
Impact:
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed by up to 30 mins. An estimate for the resumption of normal services will be provided as soon as the problem has been fully assessed. For the latest rail travel news, why not follow us on Twitter @FGW.

 Last Updated :23/01/2015 14:23 Delays to services at London Paddington Due to signalling problems at London Paddington:
Impact:
Train services running to and from this station may be delayed by up to 30 mins. Disruption is expected until 15:00 23/01. Last Updated :23/01/2015 14:34

.............and there was me thinking things were going quite well this month so far!!!  ::)

Looks like the 14:00 PAD to BRI failed at Acton. Terminated at Reading 41 late.

And of course it would all happen on the same day after a period of relatively easy running.  ;D

I also had a 50min delay (on 20min service) this morning as the 7.08 Maidenhead to Paddington broke down 10ft from its destination.

And again tonight, the lines out of Paddington are painfully slow but journeycheck says everything is cushty. Does anyone have any insight on why the rose coloured glasses are being applied to (what I thought was) an independent service?

15 minutes lost between Reading and Maidenhead this morning on Paddington bound service.
This was due to congestion due to a late running freight train, apparently.
It's great that the entire morning peak commute is second class to freight.

If they're given a path by Network Rail (NR), of course there is.

So FGW trains don't fault on that stretch then?....news to me.

There are passenger trains delayed every single day by the same freight trains.  The paths they've been allocated are not achievable.  In our opinion, NR hope that the freight train is delayed prior to reaching the Reading area so that they can then lay the delay minutes to another train operator.

Our trains fail, course they do.  But what should be the priority at peak times, passengers or freight?

Who is/are 'our'? Is that an official/public FGW opinion?

Our trains fail, course they do.  But what should be the priority at peak times, passengers or freight?

Neither. Both have paid their access fees, so should be fairly treated on that basis.

Personally, I would rather see slightly slower commuter trains and more freight on the railways, with less lorries on the roads, the latter being the cause of more congestion, more severe accidents and more damage to road infrastructure than cars.

OK, I'll correct that.  It's own personal opinion which does not reflect that of FGW or any another TOC or FOC.

Personally, I would rather see slightly slower commuter trains and more freight on the railways, with less lorries on the roads, the latter being the cause of more congestion, more severe accidents and more damage to road infrastructure than cars.

You're partially correct in what you're saying.  Unfortunately the fees paid by the freight companies does not totally cover the damage they cause to the infrastructure in terms of increased maintenance and renewals.  They rest of that cost is actually paid for by passengers which I believe is unfair.  However, charging them more would actually make freight by rail uncompetitive against road.
Personally I would like to see more freight on the rails but this shouldn't be done at the expense of the passenger in terms of punctuality and cost.  There is a time and place when freight trains should run and its not during the peaks especially on what is already described as a highly congested route into London.

As anyone who knows this service knows it is 99% Maidenhead passengers. In fact it is nigh on empty after Maidenhead. So a big round of applause for the decision to axe Maidenhead on the amended plan. It went out totally empty.

Well done also for not announcing the train failure whilst the 18.12 Henley train was available. That would have provided some relief.

Instead the world and his brothers are dangerously overcrowded on the 18.42 to Bourne end. A slow service at the best of times and tonight it's an abhorrent one too.

Problems at Airport Junction this morning with a points failure. Relief lines are blocked.

Nick B and Western Enterprise do seem to have highlighted a problem which seems to be endemic at Paddington that of failing to give timely information on cancelled/late trains and late indication of platforms for particular services, especialy at times of disruptions

The latter problem applies particulary to Platfom 13/4 even when services are running normally. It  has it's own thread already.

Presumably there are too many links in the chain. OOC depot, Swindon control (both FGW), TVSC (Network Rail) and Paddington both Network Rail/FGW.

As a sweetener to start the week, all lines were closed at Oxford (now rectified) and a broken down train on the Henley line.

Yes, D**m and B***t that naughty signalling system for not knowing that the train was going to break down, and signalling it onto the single-track Henley line. ;)

One each for NR and FGW today then.......knackered signals at Oxford, and knackered train at Henley!

Yes, D**m and B***t that naughty signalling system for not knowing that the train was going to break down, and signalling it onto the single-track Henley line. ;)

Love this stuff: 

"Customer Advice:
London Underground are conveying passengers via any reasonable route until further notice. "

"Dear TFL - please can you take me to Maidenhead?  Go on, its only a little bit further west.  You can drop me at the A404 roundabout and I'll walk the rest.  Pleeease?"

Presumably something to do with the closure of Westbourne Park to mainline trains in the early 90s?

There's a (presumably) little known NR/LU dual availability between Notting Hill Gate (for Paddington) and Ealing Broadway on the Central Line anyway, which means tickets are always valid.

Whether or not staff are aware I'll leave to others, but it's covered in the manual as are a number of better known dual availability sections of other LU/NR common routes.

Paul

Presumably something to do with the closure of Westbourne Park to mainline trains in the early 90s?

the sun?

Very poor.
I can understand the need for speed restrictions in exceptionally hot conditions, but to need such restrictions during a moderately warm early summer day is a bit worrying.
What will happen if we get a hot summer ?

............here we go folks! At least it's a lovely sunny day to stand on a platform waiting for a train which may or may not arrive (eventually!) Looks like West Drayton/Hayes/Southall area again  ::)

Cancellations to services between Slough and London Paddington

Due to signalling problems between Slough and London Paddington some lines are blocked.

Impact:
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 30 mins or revised. Disruption is expected until 18:00 18/06.

I found this announcement by fgw particularly perplexing:

MAI to PAD on your route: 07:17 will have 3 not 5 coaches - an unusually large passenger flow.

How does increased demand lead to a reduction in carriages?

Stop / start in from Burnham at the moment - "congestion caused by signalling issues at Ealing Broadway" and we'll be "slightly delayed" into Paddington.   

...due the the 05:17 Gloucester to Southampton hitting an "abandoned" bicycle between Kemble and Swindon and then blocking the bay;

I've been getting texts all morning about various problems, the latest as of 10am is
"Due to signalling problems between Ealing Broadway and London Paddington trains have to run at reduced speed on the London bound fast line.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 45 mins or revised. "

Yesterday's sad events took longer than normal due to the nature of the incident though so it might have been worth it in the end. 

NLS to BRI on your route:
08:13 will have 2 not 8 coaches - a person hit by a train earlier.

The TM on this service apologised for the lack of PA announcements but found it difficult to reach the PA equipment due to unusually heavy passenger numbers (possibly as a result of issues raised by other forum members yesterday)

I should add that on depature from RDG the Frome Service was if anything more lightly loaded than I would have expected for that service.

Or possibly because there is some sort of annual village fete somewhere near Castle Cary. 

I think this is one of the HST's that stops at TWY (fast to there from PAD) where in my experience about 50% of those onboard get off.

This is neverending.

Glastonbury Festival revellers will not be allowed on First Great Western trains if too muddy

Glastonbury Festival revellers have been warned they will not be allowed on trains taking them home if they are too MUDDY.

First Great Western is the only train operator which visits Castle Cary station near the festival site in Somerset.

But in a special leaflet printed for the five-day event, bosses have warned mucky festival goers they'll be turned away if they are too dirty.

The leaflet says: "In the interests of the comfort of all our customers, you will not be allowed to board the train if you are excessively muddy."

That's what I like to read on a Sunday morning. Unbridled optimism.  :P ;D

....with the temperature set to rise a few degrees this week, on what day do people think that everything will fall over due to "poor rail conditions"? summer weather being one of the other natural phenomena that the (UK) railways struggle to cope with.....sweepstake anyone?

I've got some very important meetings this week and I really, really hope they don't get messed up by numerous delays/cancellations.

I am not very hopeful of a normal service being provided in hot weather, apart from the usual high rail temperature problems, signal failures seem to be more likely in hot weather.

I would urge allowing extra time for travel to important meetings, and for journeys of up to say 100 miles keep enough cash to hand for a taxi if all else fails.

This is what Network Rail say about the heat and what they to do reduce the risks: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/timetables-and-travel/delays-explained/summer-weather.aspx

............best get the paintbrushes out sharpish then!!!  ;D

Must admit I can't recall seeing any white rails? I thought one of the areas most at risk was on the approach to Paddington.......all regulation brown as I recall?

Must admit I can't recall seeing any white rails? I thought one of the areas most at risk was on the approach to Paddington.......all regulation brown as I recall?

I have often wondered why, in vulnerable locations, a light water spray is not used to cool the rails and immediate surroundings.
Something as basic as a number of domestic style oscillating garden sprinklers affixed to existing signal gantries and other structures would help a lot. Or even a couple of workers as near to the track as is safe, manually applying water by means of garden hoses and spray jets.

(IIRC, I have previously suggested this)

Water is cheap and readily available and if applied in moderation should cause no problems to equipment intended to withstand rain.

Direct Henley/Bourne End services cancelled for much of today due to anticipated "hot weather".

This will be interesting if it continues into tomorrow with the Henley Regatta starting however I think there will be extra services on that branch anyway to allow for this.

From my recollection during previous Regattas all of the Henley trains are diverted to Twyford and everyone gets booted off to join the dedicated branch line service.  I could be very much mistaken though.

As a side story, during last year's Regatta I was making my way from Paddington to Henley about 6pm and was awaiting the branch line train to arrive in to Twyford.  As the train arrived it was clearly rather busy with the daytime revellers returning to Twyford.  The doors opened and the woman at the front cleaved forwards 90 degrees face first on to the platform.  She didn't even flinch as she fell.

Plenty around, you just haven't noticed them

Done to highlight specific areas that are going to cause real problems if it even moves by millimetres - such as points, crossovers, etc. Continuous rail is more easily tensioned.

This is flagging as a major disruption on the website.

"Due to signalling problems between London Paddington and Reading trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines.
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed by up to 20 mins. Disruption is expected until 20:00 30/06."

I really can't convey how much I hate rail travel right now. Whether it's the fault of fgw or network rail or Bob the builder I couldn't care less, it's just crap.

So two sets of signal failures today (so far) and heat related disruption too on a very warm day..........tomorrow it will be v v hot, up to 96 degrees if forecasts are to be believed.....meltdown?

I really can't convey how much I hate rail travel right now. Whether it's the fault of fgw or network rail or Bob the builder I couldn't care less, it's just crap.

Looks fairly much like a meltdown from where I'm sat stood.

- I've now taken 2hrs from arriving at Paddington to reach Langley and I have no idea when I will reach home. This is why I call it a meltdown.

Wouldn't it have been nice to add Maidenhead as a first stop on any of those Reading High Speed Train (Hst) sets??

I would hope roughly the same as today.  A pretty good morning peak before the real heat arrives, followed by a few targeted and sensible speed precautions and cancellations leading to the majority of trains running, though with delays that slowly get worse throughout the afternoon, as crew and trains start to get displaced and the peak heat levels arrive. 

Well, stage one as hoped for with limited disruption during this morning's peak.  Now, let's watch he situation slowly deteriorate after lunchtime and fingers crossed it will be no worse than yesterday!

Case in point being the services to Maidenhead which peak at 18.18 where all 6 carriages literally empty at Maidenhead.

So, what has happened today to let me call it a meltdown...
- the 17.49 via Maidenhead is held in platform soaking up most of the 18.18 flow.
- 17.49 develops brake fault and is eventually cancelled.
- 18.18 has just left half empty.
- 18.25 stopping service is declared as the next train to Maidenhead.
- 18.25 is 3 carriages not 6 and is dangerously overcrowded with people fainting and water being shared between passengers.
- 18.25 takes 45mins to reach southall where we are told that a train in front has broken down.
- in the meantime the 19.05 to Maidenhead is also cancelled.
- I've now taken 2hrs from arriving at Paddington to reach Langley and I have no idea when I will reach home. This is why I call it a meltdown.

... they were consistently saying no trains between Twyford and Henley and Maidenhead and Marlow ...

i thought it was only the through trains from Padd that were cancelled.

Interesting listening to Radio London travel reports whilst stuck in a traffic jam on the Eastbound A40at Hillingdon around 16:30 9don't ask!) they were consistently saying no trains between Twyford and Henley and Maidenhead and Marlow.

i thought it was only the through trains from Padd that were cancelled.

Who, What, Why: Why does hot weather cause rail delays?

(http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/660/cpsprodpb/17BD5/production/_83973279_pa-17077467.jpg)

As the hottest weather so far this year hits parts of the UK, train passengers are being warned of further train delays caused by buckling rails. Why does this happen, asks Justin Parkinson.

On hot days, steel rails exposed to direct sunshine can become 20C hotter than the air temperature, according to Network Rail. The resulting expansion can cause extreme compression and buckling. When this happens, lines become impassable and close for repairs, which can't usually happen until temperatures drop again.

Some operators have warned of temporary speed restrictions on stretches deemed most at risk, as slower trains exert lower forces on the track, reducing the risk of buckling.

In the past, the UK's main system of coping with extreme heat involved leaving gaps, known as expansion joints, along the line, allowing rails to slide past each other as they expand. But the small breaks in the line meant trains were noisy and gave bumpy rides.

Under the replacement system, to prevent buckling the track is "pre-stressed" or stretched. Only when it gets unusually hot does the metal expand enough to pose a risk of rails pushing together and buckling.

This treatment allows rails to be welded together, leaving no gaps. In the UK rail tension is set so that they only start to expand - and thereby push against each other - when the outside temperature gets to 27C.

"This means there's a greater risk of buckling than there once was, but the modern system was introduced to make the ride smoother for passengers and quieter for those living near the track. Removing the joints also reduces damage and maintenance requirements," says Prof Simon Iwnicki, director of Huddersfield University's Institute of Railway Research.

Network Rail already paints "at-risk" sections of lines white to reflect more heat and reduce expansion.

Iwnicki advocates ballast being formed into "shoulders" at the ends of sleepers to prevent sideways sliding and help to resist buckling when temperatures are high. Countries such as Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, the US and Germany use "slab track", where rails are laid on reinforced concrete slabs, holding them more rigidly. It's also used in the section of the Eurotunnel which runs under the English Channel.

But Network Rail estimates slab track is four times dearer to install than that on sleepers and ballast, and "it's hard to make a business case" for it, even taking into account maintenance savings.

There's some good news for commuters, however. The heatwave ends on Thursday.

I'd describe a meltdown as practically no trains running at all...

Sounds like SW trains are having problems out of Waterloo too - pal of mine is trying to get to Bracknell, turfed off at Twickenham and told he might as well go to the pub till 8

Thames Valley passengers victims may be reassured (!) by this recent FGW advert for Ribena Girls (ie Customer Ambassadors):

^You^ll cover every inch of your station to go the extra mile for our customers. You^ll be empowered to deal with a variety of different situations. And you^ll enjoy proactively helping our passengers and brightening up their day whatever the weather.

We help millions of rail passengers to get to where they want to go. And every single journey is important. Which is why we^re looking to take our customer service to a whole new level. 

At least ladies only glow while us men perspire.  ;D

And now by a turbo.
 

Problems again today. Now held on the up relief outside West Drayton. Crossed over from the up main at Dolphin Junction. Signalling problems between Slough and Southall West. No sign of movement yet.

Correction. Now on move slowly. Up main looks blocked.

1653 Reading to Banbury stopper cancelled.  1723 Reading to Oxford stopper is about 40 late at Reading.  1755 Reading to Oxford stopper is 10 late.  So nothing from Reading to Tilehurst, Pangbourne etc for about 90 minutes.  Truly awful ^ but it^s good news for taxi drivers as Mrs GTBE (and others I^m sure) give up on FGW.

... this recent FGW advert for Ribena Girls (ie Customer Ambassadors):
^You^ll cover every inch of your station to go the extra mile for our customers.

Quality of input from TM today was laughable. 
"We are delayed due to congestion" - nope, congestion is a symptom not a cause.  Its like saying that the patient died because his heart stopped.

The context is the same as here - temperatures at record levels; as high relative to "as hot as we expect" as they are here. And a railway system with some parts showing their age and lack of maintenance and investment.

Thanks for posting those details.  It's reassuring to see the European network suffers in much the same way ours does during extremes of weather, partly dispelling the myth that we're the only network in Europe that suffers delays.

Ha ha there was no glowing or perspiring on that train.. Just lots of sweating...

This will be interesting if it continues into tomorrow with the Henley Regatta starting however I think there will be extra services on that branch anyway to allow for this.

File on Four this evening covered Network Rail's problems in many regions, including the Thames Valley. The programme page is here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b060zvnd (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b060zvnd)

Perhaps the rails were damaged by the stone train that had an unsolicited brake application this morning.

Edit: Nope. There's a kink at Chippenham.

Not sure which one though. Could be Ray, could be one of the other band members.

And that bnm is how tangents start :) but not from me as I'm enjoying  a "sunny  afternoon" :) is that a yellow card ?
N

According to RTT, tonight's 1812 PAD-HOT was "cancelled between Twyford and Henley-on-Thames due to disorder (VA)" Anyone know what happened? Lionel Richie fans kicking off?  ;D

Don't agree - a ';domestic' can occur anywhere - often in pubs/clubs etc. Just means partners arguing

.... - try watching the Jeremy Kyle show!

I'm with Chris B on this one - it's certainly not restricted to the house - try watching the Jeremy Kyle show! (......I don't....honest.....someone told me about it!  :-[  )

There is no overtime ban.

Sundays are not within the working week for the majority of (if not all) train crew including drivers and guards. Therefore it's possible to make yourself unavailable to work them. Much of it runs on goodwill, and there isn't much about at the moment!

With it now being the school holidays, it will not get any better.

I do feel though that new staff should be required to work on Sundays, perhaps up to say 12 Sundays a year.
There is nothing unreasonable in this for new staff, if you feel it to be unreasonable then don't take the job.

It would not be reasonable to force this on existing staff who joined when Sunday working was optional.

The problem is that trades unions are, in general, opposed to new staff being on a different contract of employment to existing staff.

If recent evidence is anything to go by, the problem is that trades unions are, in general, opposed to any change or progess at all.

Its not that Trade Unions are against progress, what they are against in the eroding of hard won rights and conditions of employment.  We all would be in a worse place employment wise without the Trade Union movement whether you are in Union or not there are things we all take for granted to day the Unions gained for use all, 40 hour working week, paid holidays, maternity leave, the list goes on.

Do I believe every strike is justified no, am I in a Union no (have not been since the Railways go Majored, also the Union that covers my role is toothless so not worth the fee, just my opinion of them) but I do believe every employee should have the right to be in a Union and have the right provided it is correctly balloted and negotiations have come to an impass to withdraw labour otherwise 

I sometimes wonder whether the railways are run for the benefit of customers or staff.

Not looking good for todays evening peak.
Many cancellations and numerous other trains running for only a part of the advertised route.

Mainly signalling failure, but a few train faults also.

No estimate for movement of services to/from Paddington. If possible, please use Marylebone (@ChilternRailway) or Waterloo (@SW_Trains).

Good luck out there if you're heading home tonight. Did someone mention 'It's been a while since a really bad one?'  ???


https://twitter.com/FGW/status/629711959290736640

Two people collapsed on train. One unconscious on platform.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CL0zbqlWcAAdBdQ.jpg)

What about actually getting home?

... do fgw have to get everyone home if it remains fubar?

Before anyone queries it: I have already added an entry for 'fubar' in the Coffee Shop forum's Acronyms/Abbreviations page (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/acronyms.html).  :-X

Well done for "toning down" the word that may cause offence :)

On a technical point - FGW/NR are FUBAR, last night was a SNAFU!

Re post 838, "persons passed out on train due to heat/overcrowding"
It should be noted that yesterday evening was not in fact that hot. Sooner or later one of these increasingly frequent major failures is going to coincide with really hot weather.
Combine that with trains on which the air conditioning does not work, and with limited opening windows, and I fear that lives will be put at risk and perhaps lost.
The risks would be compounded on electric trains if the traction current failed or was turned off.

As I have stated elsewhere on these forums, I have misgivings regarding the new SETs, however they do have one point in their favour which is the inclusion of limited diesel power on the "electric" sets.
When the wires come down, or the traction current is isolated for an emergency the ability to run the air conditioning could be vital.

Next Meet the Manager at the station
- London Paddington - between 0700 and 1000 - Thursday 13 August 2015
- Reading - between 1600 and 1900 - Tuesday 06 October 2015
- London Paddington - between 1600 and 1900 - Thursday 10 December 2015

What we really want is a meet the NETWORK RAIL manager since it is often their defective infrastructure that is to blame.

FGW could do better, especially by ensuring that they have enough staff, but most of the recent problems are network rail, not FGW.

What we really want is a meet the NETWORK RAIL manager since it is often their defective infrastructure that is to blame.

FGW could do better, especially by ensuring that they have enough staff, but most of the recent problems are network rail, not FGW.

On a general point - for those who were involved/got caught up in the chaos last night (thankfully I didn't) - pretty much the worst ever? Looking at the pictures, listening to the interviews and reading social media it would certainly seem pretty much that way.

On a technical point - FGW/NR are FUBAR, last night was a SNAFU!

Let's hope for a quiet few days, although I note there are quite a few problems already today.

Many complaints are due to overcrowding which is the DFT responsibility and who hide further into the background than Network Rail.   The TOCs are to blame for everything so far as Jo Public is concerned.

I also wasn't caught up in last night's problems but I'd guess that the disruption on July 25th last year was that bit worse because there was absolutely NOTHING running between PAD and RDG for several hours due to a lightning strike at Ruscombe and SWT wasn't an option because they were SNAFU too. I had to share a taxi to TWY with 3 others with a fare on the meter of ^145. And it's thanks to that evening that I wasn't caught up in last night's problems because on the following Monday I put in a job transfer request to the Reading branch of the organisation I work for, and I started working there last January.  :)

Totally agree. Full compensation should be payable to all travellers, including season ticket holders who get a very rough deal at the moment.
I already plan to raise this at the meet the manager session on Thursday, where I was going to enquire why 28th December wasn't void when fgw ran nothing at all at any time.

So it was Meet the Manager session this morning. I had a chat with some representatives about a number of issues including void days and left still unclear/fobbed off.
Did anyone else get any useful information?

Quote from this morning "turbos are much more reliable than hst's which is why they rarely break down". Cue cancellation of the 18.18 turbo.

I see that whilst the 18:18 was cancelled due to a fault, the men with spanners came out, not only got it fixed but managed to upgrade it's performance rather impressively...
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O18385/2015/08/13/advanced

I'm confused about why taking 1hr 21mins to go to Oxford non stop is impressive? :)

On last Friday, she said that disruption did not impact enough of the day to be declared void. The manager I was speaking with didn't know the reasons for the 28th December but they promised they would get back to me with an explanation and took my email.

Have a look at the 'timed for' speed in the header of the schedule :D
There seems to be a problem with this for quite a few schedules in RTT at present .

ON the evening of Friday, August 7, PAUL JONES was among thousands of commuters who faced long delays getting home on the trains after a power failure brought services to a halt.

On August 14, he went to meet managing director of First Great Western, Mark Hopwood, to talk about such delays - and the next stop for the rail industry...

"SOMEONE got hold of my mobile number and rang me late at night and early in the morning. That wasn't great."

On the evening of Friday, August 7, Mark Hopwood was probably the most reviled man in the south west.

For Mr Hopwood is the managing director of train operator First Great Western (FGW), which had seen a power failure between Reading and London Paddington bring about the cancellation of a raft of services, leaving thousands of commuters facing long delays getting home for the weekend.

I was among commuters that night, getting a train home two hours after I was due to, putting the key into my front door at around 10pm - long after my six-month-old daughter had gone to bed.

This was not the first time I had faced delays when using First Great Western, as anyone who follows me on Twitter (@PogalJoners) would be aware of, so I was keen to meet Mr Hopwood when he agreed to my interview request.

However, I discovered the ire of commuters like me is something the man in charge of Swindon's trains is used to - and prepared to face.

"It doesn't particularly bother me," he says. "If people have paid a lot of money, they expect a good service.

"But because I know we are doing so much I feel quite comfortable about fronting up in the debate and saying 'look, we're doing this, this and this'.

"The reality is, we are addressing most of the things people are concerned about, it's just whether it is happening fast enough."

Mark Hopwood is a man of the railways and seems almost unaware of the size of his own job - managing a billion-pound rail company which moves millions of people every year.

"It's a big job, but you get used to it," he says when I ask about the weight he must feel on his shoulders.

His passion for the industry cannot be denied.

As a child, he was not allowed access to his grandfather's house until he recalled the stations he passed through on his journey, and he memorised the signal numbers on the route from his Thames Valley home to Reading station ("they have changed them now, so I don't know them anymore").

He started working on the railways in 1989 and rose through the ranks, becoming managing director of First Great Western in December 2008.

Now, with a family of his own, he doesn't impose the same memory tests on his own children, saying he would support them working in the industry, but not pressure them to do so. 

He does have a Twitter account ("I don't really use it") but says many of his most ardent abusers have refused to meet him face to face to discuss their complaints - which he does understand.

"Reliability and punctuality isn't where we want it to be," says Mr Hopwood, who commutes by train himself from his home in Didcot to Swindon or Paddington.

"It has got slightly better, by about one per cent, but that's not the type of improvement we want to achieve."

He pointed to the recruitment of more drivers and train managers, as well as the doubling of the line between Swindon and Kemble, as reasons for hope among commuters.

"If you look at why trains are late, look at the causes and break it down, it centres on two things; infrastructure, which Network Rail maintains, and reliability, which we control," he says.

"When you look at disruption, most of it comes down to the reliability of the infrastructure between Swindon and Paddington.

"We have had a number of problems in the sections between Reading and London Paddington.

"The particular problem is the infrastructure between Swindon and London.

"From Didcot to Reading, the reliability has been pretty challenging and for Swindon, that makes a big difference.

"Last Friday (August 7), there was a catastrophic loss of the power supply, with power supply issues between the provider and Network Rail's supply. 

"Those type of events, they don't mean people are a little bit late, they mean trains are not travelling."

He added: "The answer is that there have been some improvements but they are not of the scale we would have wanted to see."

Projects such as the electrification and the Crossrail scheme (which will boost capacity and cut journey times in London) will also improve the experience for Swindon people travelling to the capital, he says.

And he nods acceptingly as I explain that many of us can't see any changes - our trains aren't any earlier, or more comfortable, and we still see delays - even though we are told of investment and improvements. 

"There is a lot going on," he says. "And the investment that is committed - and it is committed - is going to make a big difference.

"We are asking customers to bear with us through some challenging times while that's done. But we are trying to give people improvements now."

For Swindon, where First Great Western has its headquarters and employs around 250 people, the outlook is good, he says, as links are boosted between the south west and London.

"People in this area are going to see more investment probably than any other part of the country, in terms of more capacity," Mr Hopwood says.

He also says things are set to improve after the completion of the electrification of the western mainline, with the new Hitachi electric trains increasing capacity when they reach our stations some time between late 2017 and early 2018 - although he admits things may be delayed after a government report into Network Rail's working timetable.

"What you will see is more seats, journey time improvements and for a number of routes, frequency improvements," he says, clearly excited by the changes.

"A lot of the problem with railway improvement is that it takes a long time and I think that is a challenge.

"We're seeing more people travel. We're growing as a business, growing a lot faster than the economy is growing.

"Didcot and Swindon have seen a growth in house building, with people commuting into London.

"People want to see improvements and want to see them quickly, but these are the timescales involved when you are building and re-building a network."

And later this year, people will no longer use First Great Western trains, but instead board new-look trains operated by the Great Western Railway (GWR), the new name for FGW. 

"We thought with all this investment, now was a good time to think about what we mean, as a business, to our customers.

"Having the trains is interesting to some people, and how we run the service we provide and how we present that to our customers.

"Originally, GWR was built by a guy called Brunel, who was ahead of his time.

"Brunel proved that he was right and we want to show people we are taking forward Brunel's legacy today.

"The whole point of the new GWR, we have dropped name First. Essentially, we are giving the railway back to people."

But what of the future?

When talking of possibilities, Mr Hopwood doesn't see it as impossible to return to a railway featuring halts, offering more localised journeys.

"The traffic in Didcot, which you wouldn't think is bad, can see a journey taking 30 minutes that we could do in six or seven minutes," he says.

"So, in the future, why not? But it would mean a lot of work, as main lines don't mix well with local lines." 

However, talk of renationalising the railways has been rife in recent years, with the subject becoming a major talking point in the election of a new Labour leader, for example.

But unsurprisingly, the possibility doesn't phase the man at the top, who shrugs with that ever-present calmness.

"There was talk about it at the last election, talk about it at the election before that, but it never happened," he said.

"At the end of the day, I guess the politicians will decide how they want to run the industry.

"We believe we have put a lot in but we will have to deal with whatever the government of the day decides to do.

"The railways were initially built by private companies, but there is no doubt we are providing a public service and the government controls the service very tightly.

"There is a very strong public input into the railways, but we are delivering it through a private company.

"If you go back to BR days, which some people tell us are better ... there has been an increase in trains."

But back to August 7...

What would Mr Hopwood's message be to those commuters stuck on the cold platforms enduring delays like those of that evening?

"I think I would like to talk about the investment in the future," he said. 

"We have been listening to what people have been saying and there is a lot of investment coming that will make your journey a better journey in the future.

"It's not happening as quickly as we would like, but it is happening, and people will see the benefits of that fairly soon."

August 7th has just been declared as a void day. It seems as if some parliamentary intervention may have led to the change of heart..

Cheers,
Alex

Stationary in the Hanwell area on my way out of London. The main line is closed due to problems with the execrable signalling system  and 30 minute delays are to be expected, according to twitter.

I believe that there is a "gentleman's agreement" not to criticise each other in the rail industry. Criticising network rail who are a government department in all but name, is also probably not a wise move when franchise renewal or not is being considered.
It would certainly be unwise for anyone who hopes for a senior position in government or politics after their stint on the railways.

I believe that there is a "gentleman's agreement" not to criticise each other in the rail industry. Criticising network rail who are a government department in all but name, is also probably not a wise move when franchise renewal or not is being considered.
It would certainly be unwise for anyone who hopes for a senior position in government or politics after their stint on the railways.

I believe that there is a "gentleman's agreement" not to criticise each other in the rail industry. Criticising network rail who are a government department in all but name, is also probably not a wise move when franchise renewal or not is being considered.
It would certainly be unwise for anyone who hopes for a senior position in government or politics after their stint on the railways.

Criticism of Network Rail is, by extension, criticism of government. The TOCs, when taking on franchises, sign up to being HMG's shield.

Miserable journey home for some............

Alterations to services between Bath Spa and Swindon
Due to engineering works not being finished on time between Bath Spa and Swindon all lines are closed.
Impact
Train services running through these stations may be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 18:30 06/09.
Further Information
Road transport will operate between Bath Spa, Chippenham and Swindon as required.

I think the agreement is only in relation to public criticism. I hope that in private there is a very robust debate.

Criticism of Network Rail is, by extension, criticism of government. The TOCs, when taking on franchises, sign up to being HMG's shield.

Time for a Didcot Viaduct ?  ;D

And the 07:38 from Goring was 17 minutes late due to waiting for a freight train at Didcot Parkway, according to the driver announcement. Time for a Didcot Viaduct ?  ;D

It appears there was a problem with the freight loco between Oxford and Didcot so a Didcot flyover wouldn't have helped. Though 4 tracking the section might  ;)

I remember hearing a Junior Transport Minister saying, at the time of privatisation, that if a freight company was prepared to pay for a path from Willesden to Tillbury, which involves crossing all 4 of the GE lines around Stratford, during the rush hour then that was OK. This was to be the new competitive railway 

I'd prefer banning freight at peak times, but maybe that's just me  :D

I'd prefer banning freight at peak times, but maybe that's just me  :D

It appears there was a problem with the freight loco between Oxford and Didcot so a Didcot flyover wouldn't have helped. Though 4 tracking the section might  ;)

I'd prefer banning freight at peak times, but maybe that's just me  :D

No, I don't know the full story, but it may have been the result of their celebration of the first birthday of this particular topic.  ::) ;) ;D

It doesn't look like anything is running between Westbury and Reading until midday due to overrunning engineering works.

How many GWR trains are scheduled between Temple Meads & Reading via the Berks & Hants???

In probably related news most services from Maidenhead were delayed by c15min this morning.  No acknowledgement of this on journeycheck or from GWR staff, but everything was late/disrupted.

NationalRail have now pushed the Pewsey disruption ETA to 14:00

So its not really an over-run....

Anyone know if this is electrification related?

working by Bulls Lock between Newbury Racecourse and Thatcham

I see there are possessions planned for the next 3 nights on the B&H so is that plan now going to change? If not, let's hope they are better organised for those upcoming nights.

Update: Shuttle now also running between Newbury and Bedwyn, buses between Newbury and Theale.

Anyone know if this is electrification related?

Thank goodness for the Transwilts with WoE UP services being diverted via Swindon. ...

Now it gets worse:

Due to a broken down train between Ealing Broadway and Hayes & Harlington the Reading bound relief line is blocked.Impact:Train services running through these stations may be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 16:15 21/10.
 :(

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Slough and Hayes & Harlington the London bound main line is closed.

This has now been pushed out to 17:00

Customer Advice:First Bus route 58: Slough (Bus Station Bay 2) - Langley (Business Park) - Iver (King's Church) - Uxbridge (Station) and First Bus route 75: Maidenhead (Town Centre) - Taplow (Bath Road) - Burnham (Everitts Corner) - Slough (Bus Station) - Langley are conveying passengers via any reasonable route until further notice.

I got a bit caught up in this disruption today aswell.

Rushed back to PAD this afternoon to get the 1618 Bedwyn, which was cancelled, I assume due to the problems documented above.
Jumped on the 1622 OXF HST (to get me as far as RDG) which was somewhat rammed as a result!

I got a bit caught up in this disruption today aswell.

Rushed back to PAD this afternoon to get the 1618 Bedwyn, which was cancelled, I assume due to the problems documented above.
Jumped on the 1622 OXF HST (to get me as far as RDG) which was somewhat rammed as a result!

... I got caught up in this trying to get back from Aylesbury to Thatcham ...

Doubt it'll help much....

THA-RDG-DID-OXF-Wendover (reverse)-AYS

Quicker via London, I reckon, depending on frequency & whether EWR gets extended to RDG

THA-RDG-DID-OXF-Wendover (reverse)-AYS

Article in the Maidenhead Advertiser today about TV delays.

http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/News/Areas/Maidenhead/What-else-can-you-do-in-the-40637-minutes-lost-through-delays-caused-by-Network-Rail-signal-failures-between-London-and-Reading-in-2015-22102015.htm

I am glad I'm not in the past when there was a less frequent service, unwelcoming stations, poor customer service, no compensation, crap rolling stock, a worse safety record, managed decline...

Whichever way you try to spin it, it's appalling, as those of us who have to put up with it on a daily basis will testify.

I am glad I'm not in the past when there was a less frequent service, unwelcoming stations, poor customer service, no compensation, crap rolling stock, a worse safety record, managed decline...

I try to avoid wearing these:
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/803497e82b68e12d8323934dd229ee4c_zps5buidxs2.jpg)

From risking hypothermia in open-top carriages to sparks setting clothes on fire, not to mention steam engines blowing up and overworked drivers falling asleep on the job, being a passenger on the Victorian railways was a very risky business, as writer SIMON BRADLEY reveals in a fascinating new book ...

I would also ask whether those who commute long distances by car have it any better?  I suspect not. 

I am glad I'm not in the past when there was a less frequent service, unwelcoming stations, poor customer service, no compensation, crap rolling stock, a worse safety record, managed decline...

I try to avoid wearing these:
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/803497e82b68e12d8323934dd229ee4c_zps5buidxs2.jpg)

I seem to recall being told that when Swindon panel was installed in the 1960's the service for Swindon was one train every two hours.  Is this correct?

Due to signalling problems services to London Paddington will not call at Taplow or Burnham. Customers are advised to travel via Maidenhead

Why would anyone get off at Maidenhead?  ;D

Why would anyone get off at Maidenhead?  ;D

Why, to have my lunch at the Waterside of course..... :D ;D

not a single announcement or apology from the driver.

I'm just catching up on Chris Tarrant's train ride through Cuba, which puts this all into a certain perspective. ("What time is the next train?" "Tuesday. Maybe.")

.......at least I could have a nice cigar whilst I waited!

.....another day.....


Alterations to services between Slough and Reading 

Due to a problem currently under investigation between Slough and Reading the Reading bound slow line is blocked.

Impact
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed by up to 20 mins or revised. Disruption is expected until 09:00 03/11.

Freight train SPAD in the Maidenhead area.

Yes, BMN is right.  Although it was at Ruscombe, so nearer Twyford than Maidenhead.

Would the freight company get clobbered for the delay minutes or would NR have to go after them for it?

Yes, it could have done - although it was a pretty calm morning.  As usual when a SPAD occurs, a full investigation will take place including analysis of the engine's data recorder, and the driver tested for drugs/alcohol.

.......and the signalling equipment data logger.

What's the most common cause/reason for a SPAD?

What's the most common cause/reason for a SPAD?

I find the whole philosophy of signalling fasinating. Where do you sight the signal at the exact braking distance but where it might be obscured by a curve, bridge etc. so lessening sighting time or say in front of a bridge and reduce braking distance.

There is now a train-cab driver's-view simulator using CGI that can check sightings off-plan - i.e. based on the engineering design, which itself all computer data. I know it was used for Reading (RSAR), though whether it was then or is still experimental I am not sure.

The main reason for wanting this "Desktop Signal Sighting" or "Virtual Sighting" was electrification. That forest of masts and stanchions needs to be checked, every one of them, at the design stage; hence the use of CAE (computer-aided engineering).

Giaconda have some pictures here (http://www.gioconda.co.uk/signal_sighting/desktop-signal-sighting-hd-vr/) - I'm not sure if their system is the only one, created in effect for NR, or if there are others. As you can see, it mixes real video with CGI, and can also be used for driver briefing, training, and canvassing feedback. There are other examples on their site, including videos (but without their own URLs to link to).

Back in the early 2000s we used professional route cab videos as the aid to desk top design for the initial signal siting.  The initial Signal Siting Form (SSF) would be produced on this basis and the Signal Siting Committee (SSC) would then visit site to determine the actual required position against the theory.  This would be fed back to the signalling design office and amendments made to the scheme design if required.  After commissioning all signals are checked again by the SSC to confirm no other issues have arisen.

The SSC consists of a qualified and experienced chairman and representatives from the signalling design office and the affected TOCs.  All have to sign the SSF to confirm acceptance.

My personal opinion, based upon over 45 years experience, is that we have gone too far in trying to make signal sighting perfect.  Introducing new controls etc. really complicates the signalling interlocking and that introduces new risks into the signalling system.  As the saying goes 'Complexity is the Enemy of Safety'.

Anyway back to the Thames Valley problems..............

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Ealing Broadway and London Paddington fewer trains are able to run on some London bound relief lines.

At 16:45 Taplow Train Board showing every thing on time.

I can remember commuting via Ealing B from 2002 - 2009 and it was always busy (more so in the evenings) but recently it seems to be chaotic in the evening peak.

Not a great start to the day.......

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington

Out of interest how are the train crew kept up to date in the case of disruption?

Not wishing to create a tangent from this thread but in light of the disruptions it seems relevant

....and the signalling has failed again at 1515 on the Down Main at Ladbroke Grove.  Just in time for the start of the evening rush :P ::)

Indeed.... not like I was going to be able to get away early. I have to work late thanks to this mornings signal faults.

Due to a fault with the signalling system between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington fewer trains are able to run on some lines.
Impact:
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 20 mins or revised. Disruption is expected until 19:00 15/12.

Half Hourly Services
Our services are running half hourly due to a track failure. Trains are departing Heathrow Terminal 5 at 27 and 57 minutes past the hour and leaving Paddington at 25 and 55 minutes past the hour. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.

Heathrow express have dropped down from a 15 minute interval service to a 30 minute interval service probably to avoid any congestion during the high peak.

From the Heathrow Express website

....mmm.  Track failure.  They mean Track Circuit Failure (TCF for short) ::) :(

I got a journeycheck email referring to problems with the overhead wires....the first of many, no doubt!

I got a journeycheck email referring to problems with the overhead wires....the first of many, no doubt!

This train will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train conductors.

......did it mention a delay of several years?  ;)

I just wonder, when did 10mins late on a 30min journey become so much the norm that the driver doesn't comment and 'all lines are awesome' ??

This might be a good idea for other line-specific threads, too.

Even though I have never travelled through Melksham by rail, I find myself comparing the number of posts each year as a crude measure of whether things are getting better or worse. The "Thames Valley Infrastructure Issues causing problems elsewhere" thread might also be usefully replaced by annual ones, in the (vain?) hope that one day it might give an indication that the problems have at last been addressed.