19/07 Exeter<>Honiton Line Closed Due To Obstruction At Feniton

[whole diary]

[Bob_Blakey]

Thought I was going to miss the 16:30 EXC-WAT (as far as Woking) because the Exeter-bound service from Digby & Sowton was running c. 7 minutes late. Asked the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) guard if it would be possible to hold the Waterloo train, and received a pretty blunt negative response (but that is another story), but having dashed from Platform 2 to 3 at Exeter Central it just stayed where it was until 16:35. It then moved to what I assume is the LOS signal towards St. James' Park at which point we were advised over the PA^▸ (Public Address) that somebody had deposited a car on the line at Feniton. I assume it had just been dumped foul of the level crossing, although I haven't been able to find any local news reports. The SWT^▸ (South West Trains) service was then driven into EXC Platform 1 and we remained there until 17:35.

By this time 1L64 had morphed into 1L68 (the 17:25 from EXD^» (Exeter St Davids - next trains)) and we incurred a further 15 minute delay at Pinhoe waiting for the late running Exeter-bound service to clear the single line. The train then ran all the way to Waterloo with a 75-80 minute (or 15-20 minute, depending on your perception!) delay.

Does it really take an hour to move an abandoned vehicle from an LC^▸ (Level Crossing)?

On Real Time Trains this incident is shown as a trespass. I would be very interested to know what exactly happened, if any board members have information that can be made public.
   

[Southernman]

Believe the incident actually was  at Crannaford AHB rather than Feniton. BT Police etc called to remove car and (so I hear) the occupant. Possibly a fortunate escape for you.

[Southern Stag]

I was on the train coming the other way which you passed at Pinhoe. The incident was definitely at Crannaford, not Feniton. We were cautioned over the crossing and there was a Network Rail van parked alongside.

[Bob_Blakey]

Thanks for the info. I would love to know how Feniton got added to the mix - Crannaford AHB just happens to be on one of my favourite cycling routes and last time I looked it was a little way east of Cranbrook / Broadclyst.