North Cotswold Line delays and cancellations - 2024

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

Bang goes the 0643 from Shrub Hill tomorrow then....

[Worcester_Passenger]

But some good news:

13:50 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 16:15 will now run as scheduled.
Last Updated:04/12/2024 13:13

16:32 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 19:29 will now run as scheduled.
Last Updated:04/12/2024 13:13

But a bit later there was a bridge strike near Moreton.
1W25 12:51 London Paddington to Foregate St was held at Moreton (+22), arrived Worcester Shrub Hill +29 and never made it to Foregate St.
1P04 13:18 Hereford to London Paddington left Honeybourne +19 and arrived Paddington +20.
1P34 15:17 Foregate St to London Paddington was started from Worcester Shrub Hill (+12), was held at Charlbury (+29) ...

And today's prize for shortest operated journey goes to

18:02 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington due 20:29 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:04/12/2024 17:28

[charles_uk]

17:57 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 20:11 will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Shipton and Kingham.
It is being delayed at London Paddington.
This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge.
Last Updated:04/12/2024 18:19

[Worcester_Passenger]

17:57 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street due 20:11 will no longer call at Hanborough, Charlbury, Shipton and Kingham.
It is being delayed at London Paddington.
This is due to a road vehicle colliding with a bridge.
Last Updated:04/12/2024 18:19

This train is formed from the stock of 1P34 15:17 Foregate St to London Paddington (17:29), started from Shrub Hill +12, held at Charlbury (+29) and into Paddington +44.
1W34 17:57 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street (20:11) departed +27 and, after skipping stops from Oxford to Moreton (+26), was held at Evesham (+33) and arrived Foregate St +38.

The next one, 1W36 1857 London Paddington to Great Malvern, departed +11, was delayed to Reading (+24), arrived Shrub Hill +31 and Worcester Foregate Street +42, and was cancelled thereafter.

[Worcester_Passenger]

Wednesday December 4

In the evening
1W05 1953 London Paddington to Hereford (22:58) was a 9-car set instead of JourneyCheck's warning about 5 cars. Forms 05:23 Hereford - Paddington.
1W41 2052 London Paddington to Great Malvern was cancelled throughout. Should form 07:25 Shrub Hill - Cheltenham - Paddington.
1W43 2153 London Paddington to Shrub Hill (00:01), a 9 car set, was cancelled after Oxford due to train crew. Should form 06:43 Shrub Hill - Paddington.
1W45 2251 London Paddington to Worcestershire Parkway (01:06) was a nine-car set. Should form 05:14 Shrub Hill - Paddington.

Thursday December 5

The evening's moves should have meant problems during this morning's peaks, but once again Control is being creative.
JourneyCheck has the 'halts' train being cancelled:

07:00 Worcester Shrub Hill to Didcot Parkway due 08:46 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Last Updated:05/12/2024 03:50

But the positioning journey for this, 2E77 0510 Oxford to Worcester Shrub Hill (06:15), is today being operated by a 9-car IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train). Yes, it's yesterday's Oxford cancellation, finishing yesterday's journey.

[Witham Bobby]

As widely predicted, no Up Parly this morning

2E80 0700 Worcester Shrub Hill to Didcot Parkway

This service was cancelled due to the train operator's request (TB).

RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website)

[Worcester_Passenger]

09:52 London Paddington to Hereford due 12:46 will be terminated at Great Malvern.
It has been delayed between London Paddington and Reading and is now 20 minutes late.
This is due to trespassers on the railway earlier today.
Last Updated:05/12/2024 12:28

13:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 16:24 will be started from Great Malvern.
This is due to trespassers on the railway earlier today.
Last Updated:05/12/2024 12:28

The 09:52 arrived Great Malvern +28.

[Worcester_Passenger]

As widely predicted, no Up Parly this morning

2E80 0700 Worcester Shrub Hill to Didcot Parkway

This service was cancelled due to the train operator's request (TB).

RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website)

... and this afternoon:

17:04 Didcot Parkway to Moreton-In-Marsh due 18:10 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Last Updated:05/12/2024 13:54

18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Last Updated:05/12/2024 13:54

Later:

16:32 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 19:29 will no longer call at Worcestershire Parkway Hl and Pershore.
It has been delayed at Great Malvern and is now 18 minutes late.
This is due to a lorry colliding with a bridge earlier on this train's journey.
Last Updated:05/12/2024 17:03

Cutting out the stops means it's only +7 at Evesham.

[Worcester_Passenger]

Later there are bigger problems:

Due to heavy rain flooding the railway between Worcester Foregate Street and Hereford all lines are closed.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
[...]
Can you tell me more about the incident?
We have received reports of flooding between Great Malvern and Malvern Link. Network Rail engineers will be heading to site to asses the severity.
[...]
Rail replacement will be operating between Worcester Shrub Hill and Hereford, calling at all stations, from 19:00 at Worcester Shrub Hill and from 19:45 at Hereford.
Last Updated:05/12/2024 18:16

1W31 1552 London Paddington to Great Malvern was cancelled after Worcester Shrub Hill. [RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website)]

19:05 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:26 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to heavy rain flooding the railway.
Last Updated:05/12/2024 17:52

[ChrisB]

From Journeycheck

Following heavy rain flooding the railway between Worcester Foregate Street and Hereford all lines have now reopened.
Impact:
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice:
We are sorry for the delay to your journey today.
Can you tell me more about the incident?
We have received reports of flooding between Great Malvern and Malvern Link. Network Rail engineers will be heading to site to asses the severity.
When flood water rises above the rails, we cannot run our services to prevent damage to the train and track. Flooding can also cause a short circuit and cut the power to signalling and important trackside equipment.
More information will follow as we have it.
What are my alternatives?
We appreciate that this will have disrupted your travel plans, especially those on Advance purchase tickets, please note that you will be able to use your ticket on a later train today.
To assist you with your journey:
Rail replacement will be operating between Worcester Shrub Hill and Hereford, calling at all stations, from 19:00 at Worcester Shrub Hill and from 19:45 at Hereford.
If you require any further assistance or information please speak to a member of Train Crew or Station Staff. Alternatively please use station help points where provided.
Check before you travel
You can check your journey using the National Rail Enquires real time Journey Planner

[Worcester_Passenger]

Fortunately, the closure for flooding didn't last long - later trains ran to Malvern and Hereford again.

Friday December 6

Advance warning of cancellations (these may get reinstated during the day):

19:05 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 21:26 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:06/12/2024 01:33

15:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 18:26 will be terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:06/12/2024 01:33

22:51 London Paddington to Worcestershire Parkway Hl due 01:06 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:06/12/2024 01:33

But by 14:15 we'd found a crew for the first two, leaving

22:51 London Paddington to Worcestershire Parkway Hl due 01:06 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:06/12/2024 01:33

In the end, the stock of the 22:51 ran empty to Shrub Hill.

[Worcester_Passenger]

Saturday December 7:

Our line has got off lightly from Storm Darragh:

06:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 09:23 will be cancelled.
This is due to a tree blocking the railway.
Last Updated:07/12/2024 05:51

[Worcester_Passenger]

I spoke too soon:

09:50 London Paddington to Hereford due 12:43 will be terminated at Great Malvern.
This is due to severe weather.
Last Updated:07/12/2024 11:51

Though RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) has it running beyond Malvern.

10:52 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 13:25 will be cancelled.
This is due to severe weather.
Last Updated:07/12/2024 10:45

11:50 London Paddington to Hereford due 14:43 has been cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
Last Updated:07/12/2024 12:07

13:20 Hereford to London Paddington due 16:22 will be started from Great Malvern.
This is due to severe weather.
Last Updated:07/12/2024 11:51

14:50 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 17:25 will be cancelled.
This is due to severe weather.
Last Updated:07/12/2024 10:45

15:13 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:24 will be cancelled.
This is due to a broken down train.
Last Updated:07/12/2024 12:07

Both the 09:50 Paddington - Hereford and 13:20 return operated all the way to Hereford and back.

[Worcester_Passenger]

Saturday:

1W25 1253 London Paddington to Worcester Foregate St (15:11) departed +30, arrived Shrub Hill +37 and failed to get to Foregate St.
This one sits at Shrub Hill until it forms 1P39 2003 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington, which did indeed start from Foregate St.

Sunday December 8

One cancellation and two curious short workings.

10:48 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 13:15 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:08/12/2024 02:39

13:58 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 16:35 will be started from Reading.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:08/12/2024 02:48

13:48 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 16:17 will be started from Worcester Shrub Hill.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:08/12/2024 02:39

20:46 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 23:40 will be terminated at Reading.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:08/12/2024 09:10

[Richard Fairhurst]

Nothing running at all this afternoon or evening.