Shortage of rolling stock since September 2017 - ongoing problems, and subsequent discussion

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

Why were these services cancelled in the first place?

For the second cancellation, the 00:27 ex Reading, the reason listed is "a delay not investigated (OU)." While that's unhelpful, the code does explicitly label it as Network's Rail's responsibility.

I'm sure that would be a huge consolation to those left hanging around in the early hours 

[Ollie]

The message on Journey Check for the 22:27 and 23:33 locals from Paddington was "Shortage of Train Crew" - both trains are DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) so that would be a case of both trains not having a driver available.

[BBM]

Journey Check is showing that tonight's 23:49 stopper from PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) to Reading is cancelled - "This is due to a fault on this train."

[Timmer]

Notice a number of HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) services cancelled this morning. Have more left for Scotland, wheel flats?

[TaplowGreen]

Notice a number of HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) services cancelled this morning. Have more left for Scotland, wheel flats?

................shortage of trains AND shortage of drivers, an interesting paradox.

[Timmer]

................shortage of trains AND shortage of drivers, an interesting paradox.

Yes including peak time services as well. Driver training for the introduction of Turbos between Cardiff-Portsmouth/Weymouth as these are the lines mainly affected?

[ChrisB]

An HST^▸ (High Speed Train) an coaches left for Ely Sidings yesterday, reported on another forum. Wabtec is full, and went to storage.

[grahame]

................shortage of trains AND shortage of drivers, an interesting paradox.

Yes including peak time services as well. Driver training for the introduction of Turbos between Cardiff-Portsmouth/Weymouth as these are the lines mainly affected?

Driver training is certainly touted as a major factor. We had a 2 car 150 on the TransWilts for much of yesterday - thank goodness because even with that it was so busy a few people chose to stand.   Something longer than a 153 can't come soon enough.

Noting comment on another thread - almost undoubtedly half term is also having an effect - just as the general public has time with the children and takes time of work if possible, so it's the same with industry managers (lots of "out of office" messages this week) and no doubt with their operational folks too.  Problem being this is the very time you need to have a full complement of operational staff, and managers to redirect them in the event of any issues arising.

[Timmer]

An HST^▸ (High Speed Train) an coaches left for Ely Sidings yesterday, reported on another forum. Wabtec is full, and went to storage.

So an HST that could have run this morning sits in Cambridgeshire whilst services here get cancelled because GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) don't have enough rolling stock to run the full HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) timetable today. What a way to run a railway.

[grahame]

An HST^▸ (High Speed Train) an coaches left for Ely Sidings yesterday, reported on another forum. Wabtec is full, and went to storage.

So an HST that could have run this morning sits in Cambridgeshire whilst services here get cancelled because GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) don't have enough rolling stock to run the full HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) timetable today. What a way to run a railway.

What a way indeed!    I understand that it's just the carriages that are being left on The Fens for a while - apparently the class 43 'locomotives' aren't just being stored.

[broadgage]

................shortage of trains AND shortage of drivers, an interesting paradox.

Yes including peak time services as well. Driver training for the introduction of Turbos between Cardiff-Portsmouth/Weymouth as these are the lines mainly affected?

Well obviously we cant blame GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) for that  
There is of course no way that this transfer of rolling stock could have been foreseen and planned for, it is bad as Easter arriving without warning

[ChrisB]

Think you'll find that they were due off lease sometime ago - and this was the new end date.

[Timmer]

Think you'll find that they were due off lease sometime ago - and this was the new end date.

Indeed. Cold comfort for those whose train was cancelled this morning.

[broadgage]

An HST^▸ (High Speed Train) an coaches left for Ely Sidings yesterday, reported on another forum. Wabtec is full, and went to storage.

So an HST that could have run this morning sits in Cambridgeshire whilst services here get cancelled because GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) don't have enough rolling stock to run the full HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) timetable today. What a way to run a railway.

Indeed, lack of basic competence in running a railway. To send rolling stock away whilst it is still needed may be contractually required if it is urgently needed elsewhere, but to send it away FOR STORAGE is simply indefensible.

Unless of course this is in fact a policy ? to show the new DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) in a better light ? "look shiny new trains, much more reliable than the old ones that were always being cancelled"

[ChrisB]

A contract is a contract.....