Train services on Friday 27th December 2013

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Train Services on Friday 27th December 2013

More stormy weather is expected tonight, however, these storms are not expected to be as severe as those earlier in the week. Therefore, First Great Western expect to operate services on all routes tomorrow, with the following exclusions:

Most lines will be subject to inspection by Network Rail, so longer journey times than normal can be expected on our early morning services.

The first service between Liskeard and Looe (and the return journey) will be cancelled to allow Network Rail to evaluate previous flood damage. Road transport will be in operation over this route.

There is flooding between Romsey and Portsmouth, we are waiting for a line inspection from Network Rail on this route and will provide an update on the service provision on this route once confirmed.

For full details of any service alterations, please visit our JourneyCheck website or follow us on Twitter @FGW^▸ (First Great Western)

[Chris from Nailsea]

Latest weather report from your local correspondent in Nailsea: it's very windy, steady rain and 6^oc here at the moment. 

[bobm]

Meanwhile in Swindon.....

[Timmer]

Just seen on Sky News that Southeastern have postponed all services bar High speed until 12pm. In a word Pathetic. They have form in jumping the gun and axing services. Meanwhile the two TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) that would probably have more reason to say no services before xx.xx, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and SWT^▸ (South West Trains), plan to operate a full service except where damage was caused by the storm on Monday.

[JayMac]

Weather report from deepest Somerset:

It's wet and windy.

No trains around here, although the railway isn't that far away. But thanks to Marples there ain't a station between Castle Cary and Taunton. Closure of Somerton and Langport East predated Beeching. Langport West on the Taunton to Yeovil Line hung on for a bit longer, but eventually succumbed to Dr B's axe in 1964. The only link to the past here is the fact that the former junction near Langport is named after the village where Mumsy lives - Curry Rivel Junction.

I'm not travelling on the 27th, having decided to avail myself of Mumsy's hospitality until the New Year.

[ellendune]

Just seen on Sky News that Southeastern have postponed all services bar High speed until 12pm. In a word Pathetic. They have form in jumping the gun and axing services. Meanwhile the two TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) that would probably have more reason to say no services before xx.xx, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and SWT^▸ (South West Trains), plan to operate a full service except where damage was caused by the storm on Monday.

I think you need to take a look at the news from those parts of the world before branding their efforts as pathetic.  Sussex and Kent were by far the worst hit areas on Monday and Tuesday. According to the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

Almost 3,000 homes in Kent, 1,200 in Surrey and more than 1,500 in Sussex are still without power.

There has also been widespread flooding with the Medway being particularly badly hit. Also overnight and in the morning winds gusting up to 50 mph are forecast in Kent. These coming on top of the winds earlier in the week might reasonably be expected to cause more damage from trees etc weakened by the previous winds and not yet properly assessed.

If those are your expected standards then I suggest the following actions:
a) all trees within 20m of any rail line should be compulsorily felled to create a vegetation free belt either side of every line.
b) any building near to the line should be subject made tornado proof.
c) flood barriers should be built at any flood prone location on the line or the line should be raised on a viaduct.

Of course all this to be paid for without increased subsidy and without raising the fares, by getting the TOC to pay no doubt out of their huge profits. Except that what appear to be huge in terms of cash to you and me would take a couple of centuries to pay for anything like this work.  As for the clear felling of trees I am sure the locals would understand the need for this without compliant and the people living near the line would be only too happy to have their houses of places of business disturbed by the builders for many months.  

Could we have a bit more realism please

[Kernow Otter]

Wetter than an otter's pocket in Lostwithiel right now.

[JayMac]

I believe that that is slightly drier than a turbot's trousers, but wetter than water vole's waistcoat.

[grahame]

Train Services - Friday 27th December 2013


Following on from the severe weather conditions that resulted in flooding and line closures just before Christmas, Network Rail has carried out extensive remedial work over the past few days to ensure that these problems were cleared from railway infrastructure. Apart from two locations, Weymouth to Yeovil Pen Mill & Liskeard - Looe, where through train services will resume later than originally advertised this morning, First Great Western will operate the advertised train service for today although there may be some localised speed restrictions resulting in slightly extended journey times.

However, do note that this morning the train services are scheduled to commence later than would be the case on a normal Friday morning owing to the Christmas break.

Windy night ... (we sleep in a 2nd floor bedroom, single glazed and rattly to we feel the weather, and we're at the centre of FGW^▸ (First Great Western) land) but nothing like as wet as the start of the week, and not quite as draughty.  Not sure how it relates to animals.  Let's just say that Gypsy just went out for a pee and didn't turn back in disgust as she's been know to do it really bad conditions.



As they say ... early trains not running, and engineering changes too. Trains from Melksham to Swindon ... at 07:48, 10:04, 12:17, 14:30, 16:48 and 18:48, returning at about 09:49, 11:05, 13:05, 15:05, 17:36 and 20:36 from Swindon. Also a bus between Chippenham and Westbury in the early evening, filling the 17:36 to 20:36 gap and providing a later northbound service.

[Electric train]

Just seen on Sky News that Southeastern have postponed all services bar High speed until 12pm. In a word Pathetic. They have form in jumping the gun and axing services. Meanwhile the two TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) that would probably have more reason to say no services before xx.xx, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and SWT^▸ (South West Trains), plan to operate a full service except where damage was caused by the storm on Monday.

I agree with

Just seen on Sky News that Southeastern have postponed all services bar High speed until 12pm. In a word Pathetic. They have form in jumping the gun and axing services. Meanwhile the two TOCs that would probably have more reason to say no services before xx.xx, FGW and SWT, plan to operate a full service except where damage was caused by the storm on Monday.

I think you need to take a look at the news from those parts of the world before branding their efforts as pathetic.  Sussex and Kent were by far the worst hit areas on Monday and Tuesday. According to the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

Almost 3,000 homes in Kent, 1,200 in Surrey and more than 1,500 in Sussex are still without power.

There has also been widespread flooding with the Medway being particularly badly hit. Also overnight and in the morning winds gusting up to 50 mph are forecast in Kent. These coming on top of the winds earlier in the week might reasonably be expected to cause more damage from trees etc weakened by the previous winds and not yet properly assessed.

If those are your expected standards then I suggest the following actions:
a) all trees within 20m of any rail line should be compulsorily felled to create a vegetation free belt either side of every line.
b) any building near to the line should be subject made tornado proof.
c) flood barriers should be built at any flood prone location on the line or the line should be raised on a viaduct.

Of course all this to be paid for without increased subsidy and without raising the fares, by getting the TOC to pay no doubt out of their huge profits. Except that what appear to be huge in terms of cash to you and me would take a couple of centuries to pay for anything like this work.  As for the clear felling of trees I am sure the locals would understand the need for this without compliant and the people living near the line would be only too happy to have their houses of places of business disturbed by the builders for many months.  

Could we have a bit more realism please

Places like Yalding are flooded which is a typical village in that area, the problem will be TOC and NR^» (Network Rail - home page) staff getting from home to their booking on point, even for SE's HS^▸ (High Speed (short for HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) High Speed Services)) service depot in Ashford the train crews will live out from there.

[bobm]

Problems at Paddington for the start of service, not caused by the weather but a late finish to engineering work.

Apparently no trains can leave Old Oak Common towards Paddington, but can run west.  Therefore some services starting at Slough, Reading, Didcot Parkway or Bristol Temple Meads.

[johoare]

I was supposed to be in the office in London today. I did an 8am conference call from home as there was no planned train early enough to get me in for that time even before the engineering works overran. At least I found out before I left for the station. So I am now working from home instead.   

[ChrisB]

Just seen on Sky News that Southeastern have postponed all services bar High speed until 12pm. In a word Pathetic. They have form in jumping the gun and axing services. Meanwhile the two TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) that would probably have more reason to say no services before xx.xx, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and SWT^▸ (South West Trains), plan to operate a full service except where damage was caused by the storm on Monday.

Oh dear, oh dear. Nowt to do with SouthEaastern - following NR^» (Network Rail - home page)'s request, of course. Lines to be checked in *daylight*

[Timmer]

Oh dear, oh dear. Nowt to do with SouthEaastern - following NR^» (Network Rail - home page)'s request, of course. Lines to be checked in *daylight*

If as you say it was a request by NR not to run any services on Southeastern metals than fair enough.

[Brucey]

Just seen on Sky News that Southeastern have postponed all services bar High speed until 12pm. In a word Pathetic. They have form in jumping the gun and axing services. Meanwhile the two TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) that would probably have more reason to say no services before xx.xx, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and SWT^▸ (South West Trains), plan to operate a full service except where damage was caused by the storm on Monday.

Oh dear, oh dear. Nowt to do with SouthEaastern - following NR^» (Network Rail - home page)'s request, of course. Lines to be checked in *daylight*

But why close all services operated by SouthEastern (I assume this is what you meant ) when other operators in the South continued regardless?