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Title: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Mookiemoo on November 30, 2009, 18:37:26 1751 is being transferred to the relief line because there is apparently a queue of traffic ahead due to signalling problems?
Except we're not going far - appear to be level with waitrose at tilehurst Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Ollie on November 30, 2009, 18:42:18 It seems that Swindon IECC may be having a few issues.
Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on November 30, 2009, 18:44:01 From FGW live updates (http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/LiveUpdateList.aspx):
Quote Line incident Line problem between Reading and Didcot Parkway. Train services are being disrupted due to signalling problems between Reading and Didcot Parkway. Engineers are working as fast as possible to restore services to normal. Short notice alterations, cancellations and delays of up to 60 minutes can be expected. Last Updated: 30/11/2009 18:33 Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Mookiemoo on November 30, 2009, 18:51:29 From FGW live updates (http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/LiveUpdateList.aspx): Quote Line incident Line problem between Reading and Didcot Parkway. Train services are being disrupted due to signalling problems between Reading and Didcot Parkway. Engineers are working as fast as possible to restore services to normal. Short notice alterations, cancellations and delays of up to 60 minutes can be expected. Last Updated: 30/11/2009 18:33 That wasnt there when I checked I had a choice - get a cab to wokingham and get the 1722 or walk to crowthorne and get the 1751 - I erred on the side of exercise hmph Shoulda got the cab. Havent moved in the 15 minutes We've just been told its a power failure affecting all signals around dicot Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Ollie on November 30, 2009, 18:59:04 Swindon IECC appears to have had a total blackout
Oxford Panel has lost some signalling as well. Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Mookiemoo on November 30, 2009, 19:00:31 Swindon IECC appears to have had a total blackout Oxford Panel has lost some signalling as well. Is there any realistic ETA for a fix? I'm getting bored looking at Waitrose without being able to do the shopping Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Ollie on November 30, 2009, 19:04:37 Not yet, only update on service at the moment is that unlikely to be any stopping trains between Reading and Oxford.
Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Mookiemoo on November 30, 2009, 19:11:14 We're on the move - slowly..........But I think a Bristol train was just reversed back to Reading.
Was on the line next to use, came up from Reading and just headed back again - it had Bristol Temple stickers in it so whether or not it was empty or it is genuinely being reversed who knows Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Ollie on November 30, 2009, 19:19:09 Time to move to Across The West if any mods/admins on?
Currently on FGW Website @ 19:19 Didcot Parkway area Train services are currently being disrupted due to signalling problems. Services are not currently operating from Reading to Bristol, Oxford and Swansea. Short notice cancellations, alterations and delays of up to 60 minutes can be expected. Replacement road transport is currently being arranged in affected areas. Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Ollie on November 30, 2009, 19:27:26 Further update:
Replacement road transport details: A shuttle service in both directions between Reading and Oxford calling at Didcot Parkway. A shuttle service in both directions between Reading and Didcot Parkway calling at all stations. Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on November 30, 2009, 20:02:13 Time to move to Across The West if any mods/admins on? Done! ::) :o Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Ollie on November 30, 2009, 20:03:23 Thanks Chris, my reasoning is seeing as it is causing disruption to a wider area rather than just London - Didcot - Oxford
Hope you don't mind :D Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: John R on November 30, 2009, 20:07:08 I'm curious as to why an additional 1901 Swindon to Bristol TM took 33 minutes from departing Swindon to departing Chippenham. Is the disruption spreading?
Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on November 30, 2009, 20:08:13 I don't mind at all, Ollie - but I bet some of those people stuck on those trains are bluddy furious! ::) ;D
Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Mookiemoo on November 30, 2009, 20:09:08 Well we got turned back at tilehurst.....
and got told that they would eventually put on coaches to Oxford and rail transport from there I guestimate my ETA at shrub would be 11pm at the earliest - and then midnight home to get up at 0530......... Reading station looks like a refugee shelter - the taxis must be thinking it is bonus time looking at the 6-7 deep queue at the rank Now, serious question - am I likely to get any sort of compensation from FGW - I know they are putting on buses etc but it really didnt help me. Whether its a PEAK first class return or some form of other compensation to slightly (and only slightly) offset the hastle and cost it would be nice. And how do I go about claiming... Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: gwr2006 on November 30, 2009, 20:33:41 Also disruption of up to 60 minutes between Swindon, Chippenham and Bath Spa!
No trains between Reading and Didcot Parkway/Oxford or Swindon, and according to NRES this will last until at least 2200. Certainly nothing moving outside my window in Didcot tonight Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: super tm on November 30, 2009, 20:43:42 What type of ticket are you travelling on ? If it is a season is it weekly or monthly.
Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Mookiemoo on November 30, 2009, 20:44:27 What type of ticket are you travelling on ? If it is a season is it weekly or monthly. Monthly season Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Mookiemoo on November 30, 2009, 20:45:07 Also disruption of up to 60 minutes between Swindon, Chippenham and Bath Spa! No trains between Reading and Didcot Parkway/Oxford or Swindon, and according to NRES this will last until at least 2200. Certainly nothing moving outside my window in Didcot tonight I just wandered out and took a peak at reading station - looks like something out of a disaster movie Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Timmer on November 30, 2009, 20:48:04 This coming after major signalling problems last week between Reading and London. Is the signalling system on the GWML old and needs updating or just struggling with the amount of traffic on the line?
Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Ollie on November 30, 2009, 20:50:18 This coming after major signalling problems last week between Reading and London. Is the signalling system on the GWML old and needs updating or just struggling with the amount of traffic on the line? The signalling problem on Saturday night was down to Cable theft. Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: devon_metro on November 30, 2009, 20:51:45 I'm curious as to why an additional 1901 Swindon to Bristol TM took 33 minutes from departing Swindon to departing Chippenham. Is the disruption spreading? Swindon 'A' Controls the line between Swindon and Box Tunnel as well. Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: super tm on November 30, 2009, 20:52:50 Technically nothing. Refund arrangements for monthly season are based on the performance statistics which even with the current chaos will still be above target.
However when such major events have happened in the past FGW have usually offered some special compensation so I guess you will have to wait and see. Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Chris from Nailsea on November 30, 2009, 20:53:55 Latest 'snapshot' from the FGW live updates (http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/LiveUpdateList.aspx):
Quote Line incidents Line problem between Reading and Oxford. Train services are being disrupted due to signalling problems between Reading and Oxford. Engineers are working as fast as possible to restore services to normal. Short notice alterations, cancellations and delays of up to 60 minutes can be expected. Replacement road transport details: A shuttle service in both directions between Reading and Oxford calling at Didcot Parkway. A shuttle service in both directions between Reading and Didcot Parkway calling at all stations. Ticket acceptance details: First Great Western customers can travel on Chiltern Trains services between Banbury and London Marylebone. Last Updated: 30/11/2009 19:32 Line problem between Reading and Swindon. Train services are being disrupted due to signalling problems between Reading and Swindon. Short notice alterations, cancellations and delays of up to 60 minutes can be expected. Replacement road transport is being arranged. Last Updated: 30/11/2009 19:43 Line problem between Swindon and Bath Spa. Train services are being disrupted due to signalling problems between Swindon and Bath Spa. Short notice alterations, cancellations and delays of up to 60 minutes can be expected. Replacement road transport is being arranged between Swindon, Chippenham and Bath Spa in both directions. Last Updated: 30/11/2009 20:21 Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Timmer on November 30, 2009, 20:56:36 I see a couple of London-Bristol-London services are being diverted via the Berks and Hants missing out Didcot, Swindon and Chippenham.
Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Timmer on November 30, 2009, 20:58:16 No trains between Reading and Didcot Parkway/Oxford or Swindon, and according to NRES this will last until at least 2200. Certainly nothing moving outside my window in Didcot tonight Now saying on NRES 2300.Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: BBM on November 30, 2009, 21:05:13 A few snippets from Live Departure Boards:
17:45 Paddington-Carmarthen - departed Reading 18:15, then Swindon 20:54 18:07 Oxford-Paddington - departed Radley 18:15, then Didcot Parkway 20:28 16:55 Cardiff-Paddington - departed Didcot Parkway 18:21, then Reading 20:51... :o :o :o Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Ollie on November 30, 2009, 21:28:52 Just for the record trains are on the move :)
Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: John R on November 30, 2009, 21:37:09 Whilst I think most passengers would appreciate that you get problems like this, I think they would expect that there would be a contingency plan that means trains don't sit in the countryside for 2 1/2 hours.
Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Mookiemoo on November 30, 2009, 22:17:39 So can anyone in the know give a rough estimate of when someone on the abandoned 1751 may have ended up at WOS?
I'm feeling a bit aggrieved tonight but in five years I have never claimed compensation once........not when paddington got shut by a suitcase abandoned the day before my birthday meaning I had to make the hours up on my birthday, not when the 1827 as it was got divrted via cheltenham because of a jumper at Radley (I think but may have been appleford), not when I was on a 180 whose doors flew open at airport junction........I could go on...... Winter 07/08 FGW cost me a contract because I could not guarantee an arrival at client site...... If i'd been keeping a reginald perrin blog it would be funny (I am now........) or unbelievable I know why season tickets are compensated on the basis of punctuality BUT if they are going to sell long distance seasons which are aimed at commuters/regular passengers then they have to accept having a WOS based passenger who may have to return tomorrow getting home after 11 (I'll eat my hat if it was earlier) is completely different to an oxford based one who may have gotten home at 945/10 bearing in mind the different start times. Offering at 1920 at night to effectively bus passengers to worcester is not on Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Electric train on November 30, 2009, 22:47:09 Whilst I think most passengers would appreciate that you get problems like this, I think they would expect that there would be a contingency plan that means trains don't sit in the countryside for 2 1/2 hours. The permutations of what can fail or go wrong are endless therefore it is impossible to have and off the shelf plan of action for every eventuality. To nights problem seems to be a major signaling power supply failure, signaling power supply systems do have backup supplies but if the problem is with the main switchboard in a power signal box or IECC then there is not much that can be done except fix the equipment in the switchboard, in the mean time all that the signal and other traffic personnel can do is attempt to move trains basically one at a time out of the affected area this is something that has to be done with extreme care. Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Mookiemoo on November 30, 2009, 22:51:45 Whilst I think most passengers would appreciate that you get problems like this, I think they would expect that there would be a contingency plan that means trains don't sit in the countryside for 2 1/2 hours. The permutations of what can fail or go wrong are endless therefore it is impossible to have and off the shelf plan of action for every eventuality. To nights problem seems to be a major signaling power supply failure, signaling power supply systems do have backup supplies but if the problem is with the main switchboard in a power signal box or IECC then there is not much that can be done except fix the equipment in the switchboard, in the mean time all that the signal and other traffic personnel can do is attempt to move trains basically one at a time out of the affected area this is something that has to be done with extreme care. Immediate thought would be a back up switchboard that can be interfaced when the main one goes down. I'd love to see ATC lose their main centre (swanage?) and do without it for 2.5 hours........I'm almost certain they have redundancy or a back up..........I don't know for a fact but I cant see how you could operate without it Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: John R on November 30, 2009, 22:53:46 Swanwick actually, but close. Weren't there similar failures in its early days?
Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Oxman on November 30, 2009, 23:47:40 Before this goes too far, lets focus on reality.
There was a major signalling failure at Didcot, and it was all on stop for an extended period. This is not run of the mill. I don't yet know why it happened, and a major failure such as this will be subject to a major drains up - tomorrow! What I do know is that a lot of FGW staff were out in the front line attempting to cope with the situation. It could not have been easy, or a very nice place to be. Most of the contributors to this site understand something of the realities of railway operations. Unfortunately, there are many passengers out there that don't, and are quite happy to subject the nearest "official" to full on abuse. Lets hope that, whatever the cause was, something can be learnt that will help to avoid similar situations in the future. Its not something that staff on the front line really want to handle as a matter of course. Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Mookiemoo on November 30, 2009, 23:58:11 Before this goes too far, lets focus on reality. To be fair - the FGW staff were great. The WOS guard on the 1751 asked me if I has any spare armour as he had to make a patrol through the train and didnt want to be injured (was a joke but we knew what he meant)There was a major signalling failure at Didcot, and it was all on stop for an extended period. This is not run of the mill. I don't yet know why it happened, and a major failure such as this will be subject to a major drains up - tomorrow! What I do know is that a lot of FGW staff were out in the front line attempting to cope with the situation. It could not have been easy, or a very nice place to be. Most of the contributors to this site understand something of the realities of railway operations. Unfortunately, there are many passengers out there that don't, and are quite happy to subject the nearest "official" to full on abuse. Lets hope that, whatever the cause was, something can be learnt that will help to avoid similar situations in the future. Its not something that staff on the front line really want to handle as a matter of course. The info from the driver and the guard was only either seconds in advance or behind what I got from here HOWEVER the seriousness of the issue I only put together from the info from here. And that is what I based my (correct) decision to run for a hotel tonight (apart from uber expensive rooms most of reading is fully booked tonight). As irritated as I was - and as we all know I can get mightily irritated - FGW staff did the best they could There were people on the train still in the naive belief they would make it to oxford only an hour or so late Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: inspector_blakey on December 01, 2009, 04:14:48 Last time I got stuck in a big signalling black-out was a long time ago on a Sunday morning, and again the FGW staff were great. We were greeted off the rail replacement bus at Swindon by a helpful member of platform staff who already had the taxis lined up to take us on to Bristol!
Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: IndustryInsider on December 01, 2009, 07:20:34 When the Thames Valley Signalling Centre at Didcot becomes fully operational and takes over all the regions signals, it will be interesting to see whether reliable back-up equipment will consign this sort of thing to the past, or whether a major problem will actually end up affecting a larger area.
Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: IanL on December 01, 2009, 11:06:20 THanks for whoever clarified Saturdays signalling chaos, waiting for over an hour at Oxford with nothing other than 'temporary signalling fault and eventually 'signalling fault outside london Paddington' on the boards to explain the rapidly increasing delays mid-evening. At about 8pm finally a manual announcement that the temporary signalling failure had just been upgraded to a severe signalling failure.
Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: adc82140 on December 01, 2009, 12:16:05 And it looks like something happened this morning as well- everything in to Paddington was at least half an hour late- signals down in the Slough area.
Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: Mookiemoo on December 01, 2009, 12:25:39 Was there any knock on effect with stock not in the right position?
I know that did factor in my decision to stay over but I had a quick check of the boards in Reading and it looked like the first Hereford ran - did the 0517 from Malvern? Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: polonia on December 01, 2009, 15:58:08 On the 06:58 from reading this morining, we were told that the delays were caused by a failed Heathrow Express blocking the main line and we duly diverted onto the relief for as low trundle to London and passed a stationery EMU at Hayes
Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: BBM on December 01, 2009, 16:11:52 On the 06:58 from reading this morining, we were told that the delays were caused by a failed Heathrow Express blocking the main line Yes, that was being announced at Paddington this morning. Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: eightf48544 on December 01, 2009, 16:20:41 Now, serious question - am I likely to get any sort of compensation from FGW - I know they are putting on buses etc but it really didnt help me. Whether its a PEAK first class return or some form of other compensation to slightly (and only slightly) offset the hastle and cost it would be nice. And how do I go about claiming... Give it go with FGW Customer Services but don't hold your breath. As it was Networkrail problem and not a FGW one, the "bean counters" are involved in arguing which TOC is owed what for the delay. Presumably at least FGW, Cross Country and the freight TOCS who use Didcot directly but possibly other TOCS who were affected by late running tains from FGW. Swindon IECC seems very fault prone especialy in wet weather. Rain and elctronics don't seem to mix well. Could say roll on Thames Valley signalling centre but then it's all the eggs in one basket. I've never been really happy with the IECC concept and leaving it to the computer. Much prefer NX panels and nice solid relays. I used to breathe a sigh of relief when I was commuting and we got to Hayes and onto Slough Old panel. Title: Re: Signalling problems at Didcot - 30 November 2009 Post by: inspector_blakey on December 01, 2009, 18:13:57 There are mechanisms in place to deal with this - is the delay is deemed to be within the control of the railway industry (and signal failures count!) then Network Rail will compensate FGW for the delays, who in turn will compensate passengers who submit refund claims.
If you're travelling on a season ticket then standard procedure is not to compensate you directly for the journey that was delayed. However, FGW may declare yesterday as a "void day" which means an extra day would be added free of charge onto any season ticket renewal. If the disruption was bad enough then they may also make special "one-off" arrangements. This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |