Loadings, cancellations and other issues

[whole diary]

[grahame]

I didn't go through and count as I was - err - making arranements to double back and pick up my laptop which I had accidentally left at home.   

That in itself is a sign of progress - three years ago back doubling back by train would have taken a very long time.  But then I guess three years ago you wouldn't have forgotten your laptop either. 

Paradoxically, two of the original trains!  But next one would have been just before 7 in the evening!

[grahame]

20:06 off Swindon last night ...19 off Chippenham. -12 +7 at Melksham. 26/19
"The train's quieter on a Friday" according to train manager, but actually that wasn't shabby.

I had upgraded my Superoffpeak ticket to Offpeak at Paddington (had expected to be later and having to take a taxi)  and ticket clerk at Paddington had asked "is there a service this late". And "far better than it used to be" and "lots of people still don't know there's a train to Melksham".  That last significant - we still have work to do, we still have traffic to gain!

[grahame]

10:14 Swindon to Westbury due 11:00
This train will be delayed at Chippenham.
This train will be diverted between Chippenham and Trowbridge.
This train will no longer call at Melksham.
This is due to congestion.
Further Information
Passengers for Melksham are requested to change at Chippenham for taxi replacement. Passengers at Melksham are requested to wait for Taxis, which will convey them to Westbury (via Trowbridge) for onward rail travel.
Passengers for all other stations are requested to circulate via Bath Spa and wait for the next available service.
For more detailed information please contact a member of station staff or make use of the Customer Help Point systems available.

I think all the Paddington Berks and Hants services are being diverted via the TransWilts, so no huge surprise here.  Roll on the day we have a longer platform at Melksham and the solution is to stop the diverted trains rather than taxis 

For newcomers to the "TransWilts members" area ... we do kinda accept that with the importance of our line (!) as a diversionary route, and with key interfaces with major busy lines at both ends and a long section of single track, it's one of the more difficult local(ish) services to run robustly!

[grahame]

In amongst the chaos of yesterday and today (so far) one train has run ... the 05:17 from Gloucester which called at Melksham at 06:38 on its way to Southampton ...5 off and 14 on at Melksham, an estimate of between 25 and 30 on when it left there (too much luggage to walk through the 2 cars and count!).   So between 30/19 and 35/19.

Don't know why I'm posting these positive numbers in the TransWilts Members area as it's good news, but have probably bored people who don't use the TransWilts silly with logs about the events at Bradford Junction and resulting lack of trains.

Dilton Marsh at 07:04 ...  none off and just one on 

[grahame]

Not really counting (seeing someone off at Melksham Station) but was that really 12 off and 9 on on the 14:40ish to Westbury yesterday?  In contrast, as I walked back through town there were a couple of sadly empty buses.   That's not the full story, of course ... there could have been a huge crowd waiting for each of those buses at the next stop!

[bobm]

Potential problems on the TransWilts this morning after track problems between Trowbridge and Westbury.

Two broken rails are reported after a freight train passed through early this morning.

Currently the first southbound service is being held at Swindon and is currently 50 minutes late and the first northbound has been held at Westbury.

[bobm]

First southbound now cancelled at Swindon and the unit will go back down the Kemble line as a continuation of the 07:04 from Westbury which is cancelled between Westbury and Swindon. 

07:33 from Westbury cancelled as well.

[bobm]

Obviously going to take a while to fix.

All TransWilts services in both directions now cancelled up to and including the 11:47 from Westbury.

[grahame]

Cancellations to services between Westbury and Trowbridge
Due to urgent repairs to the track between Westbury and Trowbridge the line towards Westbury is blocked.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 15:00 15/11.
Customer Advice
This is due to a failed freight train between Trowbridge and Westbury. Technicians are currently making arrangements to attend site to check for rail damage; more information will be known once they have completed an initial assessment.

Extended journeys are to be expected on rail replacement services.
First Bus routes 271, 272: Bath (Bus Station Bay 6) - Melksham, First Bus route 267: Bath (Bus Station) - Frome (Market Place), First Bus route 265: Bath (Bus Station) - Bradford on Avon - Trowbridge - Westbury - Warminster - Salisbury and Stagecoach bus route 49: Swindon (Bus Station) - Trowbridge (Town Bridge) are conveying passengers via any reasonable route until further notice. Arrangements have been made for Great Western Railway rail tickets to be accepted for these journeys.
Cross Country are conveying passengers between Reading and Southampton Central in both directions until further notice.
South West Trains are conveying passengers between Portsmouth Harbour and Reading via Salisbury and Bristol Temple Meads in both directions until further notice.
Further Information
An update will follow within the next 1 hour.
Last Updated:15/11/2016 13:44

And extended by three hours.    The Swindon to Frome train at lunchtime wasn't cancelled - just became a Westbury to Frome train ...

If it's the Trowbridge to Westbury line that's shut, I wonder why the 07:34 off Westbury could't have run this morning leaving the 153 to shuttle back and forth Melksham to Swindon ... Trowbridge to Melksham segment provided by the x34 bus which runs every 30 minutes in the morning.

[IndustryInsider]

Does the signalling permit reversals at Melksham - I know there are no signals at the station itself - or would such a move require special arrangements?

[bobm]

TransWiits service resumed (or should that be started) with the 16:21 Westbury to Swindon.

[grahame]

Does the signalling permit reversals at Melksham - I know there are no signals at the station itself - or would such a move require special arrangements?

It is allowed and indeed you may find it becoming a much more regular event at some point in the future.

[bobm]

Saw the 17:36 Swindon to Westbury depart tonight.  As has frequently been reported it is normally the busiest train of the day on the TransWilts with every seat usually taken.  Tonight it left with 39 on board.  Hardly surprising after the cancellation of this morning's rush hour trains into Swindon on the route.

However it does make the point that the timetable is just that - a collection of trains - and when we look at a particular train there is always the need to be mindful of the effect any change (negative or positive) will have on other services as most people travelling will be returning at some point.  If you deny them the outward journey they won't be there to make the return!

[grahame]

Saw the 17:36 Swindon to Westbury depart tonight.  As has frequently been reported it is normally the busiest train of the day on the TransWilts with every seat usually taken.  Tonight it left with 39 on board.  Hardly surprising after the cancellation of this morning's rush hour trains into Swindon on the route.

I'm not sure how much of it's just today ... where the trains were suspended until mid afternoon ... or whether there's an element of some people getting sick and tired of problems and finding other ways to travel again.  It's the third day in three weeks when there's been no viable service.  And an effective cancellation rate of 14% is 10 times what it should be!

I'm currently on the 18:15 from Paddington to Swansea, which pulled out of Paddington after 18:45, hoping to connect with the 20:06 off Swindon.  We're told there are signalling problems and things look to be up the swanny; goodness knows if we'll make the connection, but I would be very surprised is passengers on the advertised connection train from Paddington at 19:00 actually make it.

Tomorrow morning - I'm on one of the peak trains to Swindon (cynic in me says "if it runs") and I'll see what the mood and numbers are like.

[Adelante_CCT]

I see you made the connection then, with a bonus train on the through line at Swindon as well.