Great Western Coffee Shop

Tonight I caught the 17.06 PAD-Bristol TM (via Bradford-on-Avon) which left 10 minutes late (due to 'late running incoming services' according to the TM) and which then came to a standstill at Westbourne Park for about 45 minutes blocking Line 2 (and I believe the 17.15 to Swansea behind it) due to some sort of problem with the rear power car.

Eventually the train returned to Paddington arriving in platform 2 at about 18.10. Next fast train to Twyford was the 18.18 to Oxford but it didn't leave until about 18.35 due to the late arrival of the Turbo set from the depot. After a slow trundle along the Down Relief as far as Southall, I eventually arrived at Twyford at 19.14 instead of 17.27.  >:( >:( >:(

Can I please ask anyone in the know three questions?

1. Why did the 17.06 leave 10 minutes late?
2. Why did it fail at Westbourne Park and why did the attempts at rectification take so long?
3. And why (to add insult to injury) was the stock for the 18.18 to Oxford late in arriving from the depot?

Thanks!  :)

3) held up between depot and paddington probably due to delays or blockage of line caused by your broken down train?

2. There was another HST stuck brhind ypu & that had to also be reversed to Pad before you could also reverse. All checks / permissions for both moves takes time, even once your HST was declared unfixable

A couple of other problems in the Thames Valley as well today. Signalling fault in the Maidenhead area around that time and a few young 'uns gathering in a field near Reading to have loud music played at them, meaning dwell times at Reading are extended.

Both could've caused knock on effects at Paddington. Stock late arriving inbound, drivers late getting to the depot.....

Reading festival doesnt start for few more days yet does it?

Tell that the the hordes that were on the 1445 off PAD with me. Noisy beggars!

Campsite opened this evening.

And a points failure at Acton.  Bad evening all round!

The stock for the 1706 only arrived 1651 from Hereford 24 mins late, so obviously things were rushed to get restocked/tanked/etc.

Answer to 2 is the line between Paddington and Westbourne Park is in a PTS restricted zone so the driver cannot leave the train and attempt to rectify the fault until the signaller blocks the adjacent lines and given the time of day that obviously wasn't going to be quick!

PTS?

Personal Track Safety - http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/acronyms.html

That would make sense as last night I noticed that nothing was passing us on Line 3 and also someone at a door on that side of the train was keeping us informed of developments as he could see the driver and the TM inspecting the rear power car. I appreciate now that effectively 2 out of the 6 lines were blocked last night, hence the widespread disruptions. I've also learned that a possible reason for the delay for the 18.18 was that it was scheduled to depart from Platform 2 which of course was occupied by the sick HST on its return. The 18.18 went instead from Platform 13. (every Thames Valley commuter's favourite place...)  ;)

Ah. This thread explains why my Greenford line train was held between Paddington and Acton then (either 17:18 or 17:48, can't remember!)

We got no explanation from the driver.