Class 180s return to the Cotswolds

[whole diary]

[stebbo]

Where's the track recording train gone?

[IndustryInsider]

And now we're sat at Charlbury waiting for the 13:21 departure from Oxford coming the other way. Due here 13:41, so we'll be 30+ late by the time we're on the move again.

3Q04 (the track recording train) was over Wolvercote at 13:23, so had your train been let though next it would probably have been less than 10 minutes late departing Oxford, and would have delayed the down train by about 10 minutes - which is exactly the amount of time that it sits at Evesham later in the journey, so it would have probably got to Worcester more or less on schedule.

As it is, your train is delayed by 25 minutes, is now not calling at Slough, and even with that missed stop the delay will almost certainly impact on its next working at 14:50 from Paddington.

I'm always hesitant to apportion blame when I might not know the full facts, but on the face of it, that looks like bad regulation both on an overall delay minutes basis and a customer impact basis.   

[Southern Stag]

And indeed, here it is, with its free WiFi...

The free WiFi is rather nice isn't it. Well advertised as well. Just need it fitted to the HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) now but I feel that's wishful thinking until we have a new franchise.

[Worcester_Passenger]

3Q04 (the track recording train) was over Wolvercote at 13:23, so had your train been let though next it would probably have been less than 10 minutes late departing Oxford, and would have delayed the down train by about 10 minutes - which is exactly the amount of time that it sits at Evesham later in the journey, so it would have probably got to Worcester more or less on schedule.

As it is, your train is delayed by 25 minutes, is now not calling at Slough, and even with that missed stop the delay will almost certainly impact on its next working at 14:50 from Paddington.

I'm always hesitant to apportion blame when I might not know the full facts, but on the face of it, that looks like bad regulation both on an overall delay minutes basis and a customer impact basis.  

We left Charlbury 32 late. At Oxford a yellow-liveried train which I took to be the track recording train was sitting in one of the old parcels bays.

Skipping the Slough stop meant that we got into Paddington at 14:49 (20 late). There was a very fast turn-round indeed - the new passengers were boarding as we finished alighting.

Presumably the delay here would have been laid at the door of Network Rail. How much money would have been involved?

[eightf48544]

Presumably the delay here would have been laid at the door of Network Rail. How much money would have been involved?

It doesn't really matter how much money is involved because it's a stupid system. Next time a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) train falls down FGW will be paying Network rail; next time a signal fails Networkrail will be paying FGW and so on ad infinitum.

It's just circulating Public Money round and round to no good purpose when it could be spent on better maintenance. I suppose it's only saving grace is that it's an excellent job creation scheme  attributing delay minutes and moving the money around.

[CLPGMS]

3Q04 (the track recording train) was over Wolvercote at 13:23

This begs the question as to why the track recording train was running in the timing for the 1206 WOF-PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) which is booked to pass Wolvercote at about 1322 (Oxford arr 1326).  Where had it come from?  Couldn't it have been held in the sidings at Honeybourne until a clear path was available for it?  It is a pity that the up siding at MIM was removed during the track renewal in the area.

[Andy W]

Driving from Pershore to Worcester this morning the skies got very dark, a squadron of pigs flew over followed by a Class 180 approaching Norton. 

[Worcester_Passenger]

This begs the question as to why the track recording train was running in the timing for the 1206 WOF-PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) which is booked to pass Wolvercote at about 1322 (Oxford arr 1326).  Where had it come from?  Couldn't it have been held in the sidings at Honeybourne until a clear path was available for it? 

There's a two-hour gap in front of the 12:06 and a two-hour gap after it.

[IndustryInsider]

Driving from Pershore to Worcester this morning the skies got very dark, a squadron of pigs flew over followed by a Class 180 approaching Norton. 

100% coverage of 180 diagrams last week! 

[lordgoata]

100% coverage of 180 diagrams last week! 

That didn't last long.. back to 3 car turbo this morning....

[ray951]

Yes and we had a 2 car turbo yesterday....

[IndustryInsider]

Set 108 has let the side down a bit so far this week, and 106 is still locked away receiving attention.

[CLPGMS]

Set 108 has let the side down a bit so far this week

I am not surprised.  I travelled in coach E on it last Thursday and it was making a horrible rattling/knocking noise when under load. 

[IndustryInsider]

Last week was the first 100% week of 180 coverage so far.  The first to get close to 100% to be honest.  This week was pretty good as well with an 88% coverage rate - as usual it was diagram OC504 which was the first to be sacrificed, which only has one trip on the Cotswold Line meaning that only two trips further out that Oxford during the entire week were Turbos instead, and in both of those cases it was a 3-Car.  Much better, FGW^▸ (First Great Western)!

[Southern Stag]

Seems particularly good when it appears 180106 has now been out of action for three weeks. 104 doesn't seem to have missed a single day in a month, very good going.