Great Western Coffee Shop

Hmmm - SWT (electric) train failed owing to loss of power & blocking the tracks?.....

Network Rail were reporting it as signalling problems near Fareham. As the train presumably reached the bay platform at Fareham it was probably stuck in a queue southbound, normal practice would be to turn round at Fareham once more than half an hour late.

Paul

From the NR log...

08:36 Eastleigh ASC reports that ECO advise that there is a dead short on the down line at Fareham. It is noted that 1C21 is in the station at Fareham. 08:50 Eastleigh ASC reports that driver can not find anything wrong with the unit but he has found a conductor rail feed cable burning at the Eastleigh end of the platform by 280 signal.

Train 1C21 is the 08:10 Southampton to Horsham which eventually terminated at Barnham an hour late.

I was on the 13:23 from BRI to CSA yesterday.  I arrived around 50 minutes late.

We were held at SOU for about 5 minutes longer than usual.  When we left, I noticed we were on the wrong line and were heading for the South Western Main Line, instead of the West Coastway Line.  As we passed through Southampton Airport Parkway, the guard announced we were being diverted through Eastleigh due to electrical supply problems at Portchester.

The stop at Eastleigh was very prompt - just enough time to turn the train round and back out again.  The journey to Fareham took about 40 minutes longer than usual, due to being stopped by every red signal.  The guard said we were in a queue, waiting to enter Fareham.  We additionally stopped at Botley, although the two passengers had to get on through the guard's door.

On arrival at Fareham, the station looked pretty busy.  Every platform was occupied by a train (notably all electric).  The journey from Fareham to Cosham was as fast as normal and there didn't appear to be anything happening at Portchester.

My understanding is that for whatever reason, the electric trains were unable to pass through Portchester, which is what caused the queue and blockage.  We were diverted through Eastleigh as presumably the only trains on that route that could actually pass through.

I have to praise FGW here.  They kept us (the passengers) very well informed of what was going on and also good on them for not cutting out any stops, even though we were running considerably late.

Bit of out of the box thinking on the GW guard's part I think, gold star! :)