Flash flooding - Corsham 18/19 Sep 14

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

Lots of fun at Swindon this morning with last minute alteration of the 0900 ex padd coming in to platform 3 while everyone was on 4. 

Welcome to the forum tomlane. 

At least Swindon has the capability to run services bi-directionally at the station. Even if it is a bit inconvenient on the punters to have them all move through the subway from 4 to 3 at the last minute.

[TaplowGreen]

That is totally unacceptable. I'd be complaining in the strongest possible way to both FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and the First Bus subsidiary responsible. It really isn't on for public announcements to be made about ticket acceptance on buses and to then not liaise between companies.

Unacceptable yes, but anyone with experience of FGW's total inability to cope with any sort of crisis will not be surprised.

[ellendune]

Today I travelled from Swindon to Reading on the 11:59 and back on the 14:28 to Bristol TM^‡(resolve).

The Bristol trains seemed to be being diverted alternately via Westbury to Bath and via Bristol Parkway. 

An ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) train arrived at Swindon at a slow speed at 11:51 and stopped on platform 3.  The staff who got off this train included an incident officer and maintenance staff.  The train was turned and was to proceed back to Bristol (presumably via Parkway). I assume this was the train that was stranded.

The 11:59 was switched to Platform 1 and left before the ECS. 

When I got back to Swindon on a Bristol TM train passengers to Bath were invited to stay on the train and change at Bristol.  Chippenham passenger were asked to change at Swindon.  When we got off the train there was some suggestion of some sort of shuttle train rather than road transport. Not clear what.

[CLPGMS]

It appears that the DOWN line between Chippenham and Bath Spa has now reopened, with a severe speed restriction.  I see that the 2000 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)-BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) lost 16 minutes between the two stations and the same happened to the 2045.  Trains are still being diverted in the UP direction.

[thetrout]

It appears that the DOWN line between Chippenham and Bath Spa has now reopened, with a severe speed restriction.  I see that the 2000 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)-BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) lost 16 minutes between the two stations and the same happened to the 2045.  Trains are still being diverted in the UP direction.

21:29 Taunton - London Paddington 1A37 has been diverted via Berks and Hants lines. Road Replacement Coaches were provided for passengers wanting Chippenham and Swindon at 22:47

I am on 1A37 as we speak and so far running without incident albeit diverted.

Yesterday 1A37 was held at Twerton Tunnel where the was a reported track circuit failure from Twerton Tunnel all the way through to Thingly Junction caused by a lightening strike. We were held at the signal outside the tunnel entrance before passing the signal at danger and running 15mph into Bath Spa from there.

From someone on that train yesterday. That lightening was rather something I can tell you: http://youtu.be/2CIhR4i0YZk

[tomL]

Lots of fun at Swindon this morning with last minute alteration of the 0900 ex padd coming in to platform 3 while everyone was on 4. 

Welcome to the forum tomlane. 

At least Swindon has the capability to run services bi-directionally at the station. Even if it is a bit inconvenient on the punters to have them all move through the subway from 4 to 3 at the last minute.

Thank you. I've been lurking a while