Barnstaple for Christmas?

[whole diary]

[SandTEngineer]

Whoops too much xmas drinkies .  I meant to say the National Rail website says..........

[TerminalJunkie]

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website now showing:
Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple
Trains between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple are suspended. Road transport is in place but because of flooding on local roads may not serve all stations. This line will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

Where does it say this?

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/disruption says "The line is expected to be closed until at least 29th December", while http://www.journeycheck.com/firstgreatwestern/ says "Disruption is expected until 09:00 01/01".

Whoops too much xmas drinkies .  I meant to say the National Rail website says..........

I see @NDevonCouncil have now tweeted that the Barnstaple line is "set to reopen on Saturday", based on the JourneyCheck information. FFS^▸ (for goodness' sake (a more polite definition))...

[Chris from Nailsea]

From ThisIsSouthDevon:

Devon railway weather damage 'worst for 25 years'

Damage caused by the weather to one of Devon's railway lines is the worst in 25 years.

Network Rail this afternoon issued their latest update on services in the county, with the main lines in and out of Devon re-opened at Cowley Bridge near Exeter at 1.15pm today. The up and down lines had been out of action over Christmas after damage caused by flooding. Speed restrictions of 40mph have been imposed in both directions.

However, there is no estimate for the re-opening of the Exeter to Barnstaple branch line. The rail operator says there are a total of 25 washout sites on the Barnstaple line and industry experts say they have never known it suffer so badly in 25 years.

The Topsham to Exmouth branch line remains closed.

[TonyK]

It seems to me therefore that it is possible that a modest enlargement of the span of the underbridge to increase the flow area might resolve the issue without the need to raise the track.

That is why I see it as a relatively simple task that does not requires a long closure of the line.  

I'm more inclined to go with this later idea of yours. It may well indeed be easier (disclaimer: I'm not an engineer) to alter the course/improve the flow of the River Culm by concentrating the engineering solution on the river rather than the permanent (or rather semi permanent at the moment!) way.

That said, water has a nasty habit of taking the line of least resistance, so any alteration to the flow needs very careful consideration.

People keep talking about the river Exe flooding but if you look at the video for example this it is clear that the water in the river Exe (on the side of the Barnstaple line) is still below the tracks, it is the water from the tributary, that cannot get through the underbridge that is spilling over the tracks and into the river Exe, washing the ballast and the embankment out in the process. 

It seems to me therefore that it is possible that a modest enlargement of the span of the underbridge to increase the flow area might resolve the issue without the need to raise the track.

I'm pretty sure the Culm has joined the Exe just south of Stoke Canon, some distance before Cowley Bridge. The Exe meanders a fair bit, and follows two or three channels (or one flaming great big one!) by the time it reaches Cowley Bridge. There, it meets with the Creedy, after which Crediton is named. The one part of the topography that did not decide its own course is the railway. Which river is which is pretty much academic by here, and the big problem seems to be caused by the damming effects of the various embankments works, once Cowley Bridge becomes too small to let all the water drain away. I am also no engineer, but wonder if replacing some of those raised works with a low span bridge - without raising the level of the railway - would help. It wouldn't stop the railway from being submerged occasionally, which would likely mean a suspension of services, or at least a severe restriction of speed. But once the river level fell, it would be business as usual again much more quickly than at present, as the line would emerge unscathed, with no need to replace 2000 tonnes of ballast.

It may be that something on these lines would be a good solution, but would cost more over a period of time of say 50 years than repairing the embankments a couple of times annually. Or it may be that all the other flooding in the area might mean that trains wouldn't run over Cowley Bridge anyway. It may even be that National Rail is already asking the government for money to do it.

I too sympathise with people in Stoke Canon, flooded twice so close to Christmas. I think, though, that it will serve as a practical demonstration of the folly of building on flat ground between two rivers. My home in Devon is atop a hill, about 100 ft above the level of the nearest rivers. It's a pain if I have to walk back up it after a walk to the pub, but very reassuring.

[ellendune]

I'm pretty sure the Culm has joined the Exe just south of Stoke Canon, some distance before Cowley Bridge. The Exe meanders a fair bit, and follows two or three channels (or one flaming great big one!) by the time it reaches Cowley Bridge. There, it meets with the Creedy, after which Crediton is named.

You are right about the Culm, the river I talking about runs parallel to the main (Taunton to Exeter) line and to the south of it.  I cannot see where it is coming from. 

The one part of the topography that did not decide its own course is the railway. Which river is which is pretty much academic by here, and the big problem seems to be caused by the damming effects of the various embankments works, once Cowley Bridge becomes too small to let all the water drain away. I am also no engineer, but wonder if replacing some of those raised works with a low span bridge - without raising the level of the railway - would help. It wouldn't stop the railway from being submerged occasionally, which would likely mean a suspension of services, or at least a severe restriction of speed. But once the river level fell, it would be business as usual again much more quickly than at present, as the line would emerge unscathed, with no need to replace 2000 tonnes of ballast.

That is pretty much what I was trying to describe. And I am an Engineer with some experience on flood risk management, although I am only able to go on what I see from the photos and the video.

In the video and photos I have seen the water in the Exe is not high enough to flood the line so with the low span bridge the railway may not be submerged that often.  Though if it is, as you say there should be no need to replace 2000 tonnes of ballast. 

It may be that something on these lines would be a good solution, but would cost more over a period of time of say 50 years than repairing the embankments a couple of times annually. Or it may be that all the other flooding in the area might mean that trains wouldn't run over Cowley Bridge anyway. It may even be that National Rail is already asking the government for money to do it.

I suggest that on recent experience it would probably pay for itself over 50 years! Especially if all those delay minutes, are taken into account.

I too sympathise with people in Stoke Canon, flooded twice so close to Christmas. I think, though, that it will serve as a practical demonstration of the folly of building on flat ground between two rivers. My home in Devon is atop a hill, about 100 ft above the level of the nearest rivers. It's a pain if I have to walk back up it after a walk to the pub, but very reassuring.

Can only agree.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From ThisIsDevon:

Tarka Line remains closed pending inspection

The Tarka Line - which connects Exeter to Barnstaple, via Crediton - remains closed following bad weather and flooding, which may have affected the foundations of the track. Network Rail reports that train services are cancelled and that a replacement bus service is running instead.

An inspection by helicopter took place on Thursday this week and will be followed up by a walk-through along the track.


​
Peter Craske, spokesman for the Tarka Rail Association, told ThisIsDevon "The lines will be inspected by Network Rail tomorrow [Sunday 30 December]" and explained that there have been issues with ballast being washed out from beneath the tracks.

Commenting on the operator of the line, he said "First Great Western are doing a good job of keeping people informed via their website" and emphasised that "We haven't seen disruption like this in living memory."

The Tarka Line is named after Tarka the Otter, from the book by Henry Williamson.

[TonyK]

Fair comment about FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s information stream. Some will always complain that they were kept in the dark, but FGW's social media folks have shown the value of electronic methods of disseminating alterations to services. I follow the Twitter stream, as well as glancing occasionally at the map at top left, where red lines direct me to FGW's website. Before any train journey, often booked online, I check these, plus the live departure boards.

Recently, following the landslip at Westerleigh, I noticed tweets from someone else I follow, whose journey home from Birmingham wasn't going to plan. He was on a CrossCountry train, and if they have an equivalent service, I couldn't find it. FGW's website showed what the cause of the problem was, and from there, I was able to tell my acquaintance when he could expect to get home. Delays are bad, lack of information makes it much worse.

I look forward to the reopening of the Tarka^▸ (Line from Barnstaple to Exeter) line. In very few years, it has gone from embarassing to indispensible, and like its cousin the Severn Beach line is an example of what can be done on branch lines if the will is there. But how did it all work before the advent of the internet?

[LiskeardRich]

Fair comment about FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s information stream. Some will always complain that they were kept in the dark, but FGW's social media folks have shown the value of electronic methods of disseminating alterations to services. I follow the Twitter stream, as well as glancing occasionally at the map at top left, where red lines direct me to FGW's website. Before any train journey, often booked online, I check these, plus the live departure boards.

Recently, following the landslip at Westerleigh, I noticed tweets from someone else I follow, whose journey home from Birmingham wasn't going to plan. He was on a CrossCountry train, and if they have an equivalent service, I couldn't find it. FGW's website showed what the cause of the problem was, and from there, I was able to tell my acquaintance when he could expect to get home. Delays are bad, lack of information makes it much worse.

I look forward to the reopening of the Tarka^▸ (Line from Barnstaple to Exeter) line. In very few years, it has gone from embarassing to indispensible, and like its cousin the Severn Beach line is an example of what can be done on branch lines if the will is there. But how did it all work before the advent of the internet?

FGW often post photos of their problems on their twitter feed as well I've noticed. Gives a better idea than 140 characters ever give of the problem.

[smokey]

Looks strikingly similar, except I expect all the signals worked OK after the water receded!

I much suspect that the signalling equipment was working under the water........

One Big thing between 1960 and Cowley Bridge today, is that back in 1960 it was BEFORE the Railway altered the course of the river!!!!

Never a good move as water will always try to get back to it's earlier course!

[smokey]

How about putting the signalling cabinets on little mounds to keep them out of the water?

That would be a start.

Been done before, Dovey Junction in Mid Wales often floods at High Tide and the Signaling ccabinets stand on legs to keep connections from getting wet! 

[ellendune]

Looks strikingly similar, except I expect all the signals worked OK after the water receded!

I much suspect that the signalling equipment was working under the water........

One Big thing between 1960 and Cowley Bridge today, is that back in 1960 it was BEFORE the Railway altered the course of the river!!!!

Never a good move as water will always try to get back to it's earlier course!

Can you explain which bit of the course of which river was altered? I cannot see any obvious change on my old map.

[Chris from Nailsea]

An update, from First Great Western JourneyCheck:

Line problem: between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple.
Owing to flooding between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple all lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled at short notice. Disruption is expected until 09:00 02/01.
Road transport is operating between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple, however because of flooding on local roads this may be limited, and may not be able to serve all intermediate stations.
Latest indications are that the line will not reopen to trains for several days although this is subject to revision at short notice as remedial work progresses.
Message Received: 31/12/2012 13:48

(My highlighting: CfN)

[smokey]

When the Barnstaple Line was altered at Cowley Bridge (late 60's) the River was diverted under a New Bridge, may well have been done when the line was reduced to a single line.

[des5564]

Work in progress today, I delivered lorry load of ballast to Portsmouth Arms. Some being being taken to Umberleigh as well.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks for your (weighty) contribution towards resolving these flood damage problems, des5564!