Severe winter weather, February and March 2018

[whole diary]

[Timmer]

With the impending weather of a wintry nature about to take place this week and possibly beyond, I thought it would be a good idea to start a new thread so we can try and keep everything that’s related to what happens and to report disruption etc.

To start the ball rolling, here’s a link to the National Rail Enquiries page where you can find the latest. Already TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company), particularly to the East of the country are revising services from tonight onwards:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/today.aspx

[ChrisB]

Updated link

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/185048.aspx

[bobm]

From that link

Train operating companies in South West England have issued advance warning of possible service changes, or disruption to your journey:

South Western Railway advise that ice can cause problems for trains as it can prevent them from drawing power from the electrified third rail.

Please check your journey before you travel.

We are back to the debate about where is the South West.  To my mind there isn't much third rail in what I call the SW...

[ChrisB]

Poole/Bournemouth to Weymouth?

[stuving]

From that link

Train operating companies in South West England have issued advance warning of possible service changes, or disruption to your journey:

South Western Railway advise that ice can cause problems for trains as it can prevent them from drawing power from the electrified third rail.

Please check your journey before you travel.

We are back to the debate about where is the South West.  To my mind there isn't much third rail in what I call the SW...

No, but almost all trains go to or from Waterloo and need a lot of electric trains to play nicely and not get in the way.

[Timmer]

Snow already starting to fall here in the West.

Check GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Journey Check for the latest on the trains:
https://www.journeycheck.com/greatwesternrailway/

And Met Office for the latest weather warnings:
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings#?date=2018-03-01

Currently an Amber warning for Ice and Snow. I think we could see a localised Red warning at some point later in the South West either for heavy snow or for freezing rain (nasty stuff) so take care everyone and stay safe.

[Timmer]

UPDATE:

As expected a RED warning has now been issued from 3pm covering Devon upwards covering Exeter, Taunton, Weston-super-Mare into South Wales covering Cardiff and the Valleys.

If you are travelling in these areas, try and complete your journeys before then.

[plymothian]

PADDINGTON STATION IS CLOSED

Paddington station is now closed due to severe weather, trains will terminate at Reading, but also as far west as Bristol.
GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) advice: DO NOT TRAVEL

[Oxonhutch]

Paddington low-numbered platforms treacherous with wind-blown snow under the train shed.  Lawn also.  I was barely able to stand leaving my train this morning.  I now see lots of Up express cancellations and many ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) moves to Old Oak and Reading.

[Timmer]

PADDINGTON partially reopened

[BerkshireBugsy]

Paddington low-numbered platforms treacherous with wind-blown snow under the train shed.  Lawn also.  I was barely able to stand leaving my train this morning.  I now see lots of Up express cancellations and many ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) moves to Old Oak and Reading.

I'm not sure if this is the same as what Oxonhutch was saying but I found the platforms at Paddington extremely slippery this morning when I arrived about 730. I'm not sure what the flooring is made of (it seems to be of a marble consistency) but the combination of a lot of wet feet and this surface did not go together well.

Take extra care everyone!

[bobm]

Both up and Down Cornish sleepers cancelled tonight. 

[grahame]

From Network Rail at 16:48

Railway Weather Update
 
Dear Stakeholder,

Please be aware that we expect we will continue to experience further severe weather this afternoon, tonight and tomorrow across the west and south west; we are anticipating this will impact the railway. We are working tirelessly to keep train services moving safely where possible, working closely with train and freight operators.

We have taken a number of proactive steps to reduce the impact of the severe weather; including running our snow plough, mobile teams monitoring critical points and junctions, and running trains throughout the night to keep lines open.

Safety remains our paramount concern and in agreement with GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) some Cornwall and Devon branch lines were suspended.

Due to high tide and strong winds from Storm Emma, we will be winding down services through Dawlish in Devon during the evening. Due to the requirement to undertake safety inspections on the seawall and track, services are not likely to recommence until at least midday tomorrow.

We will keep you updated as the situation develops.

In the meantime we urge you to check services before you travel.

Yours sincerely,
 

Mark Langman
Western Route Managing Director, Network Rail

[martyjon]

From First Bus West of England covering Bristol, Bath, Weston-S-M and Wells areas at 17:30 tonight.


Road conditions are very dangerous in many areas with Police shutting roads. For safety all buses still running are making their last journeys & will return to depots once complete. All services will be suspended overnight until at least 6am when updates will start #woesnowwatch


and this from First West of England makes a change, usually the tother way round,


Please remember First West of England bus tickets can be used on all GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) rail services (however there are also delays and disruptions to the rail network) within the West of England operating area. #woesnowwatch

[Electric train]

Paddington low-numbered platforms treacherous with wind-blown snow under the train shed.  Lawn also.  I was barely able to stand leaving my train this morning.  I now see lots of Up express cancellations and many ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) moves to Old Oak and Reading.

I'm not sure if this is the same as what Oxonhutch was saying but I found the platforms at Paddington extremely slippery this morning when I arrived about 730. I'm not sure what the flooring is made of (it seems to be of a marble consistency) but the combination of a lot of wet feet and this surface did not go together well.

Take extra care everyone!

French Lime Stone is the flooring at Paddington