Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2016

[whole diary]

[bobm]

That sounds like them being run through under a possession.

Spot on

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

Just noticed that the 1121 Didcot – Padd stopper was allowed to precede the 1125 Didcot – Bournemouth XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) from Didcot on the UM.  The outcome was the stopper was waiting time at Tilehurst and the XC was 11 late arriving at Reading.

I’m sure there was a good reason for this regulation – I can’t think what it could be but maybe someone has some suggestions….

The XC was only 3 late leaving Reading, however, as it had a stop scheduled there that's longer than operationally needed.   Had the 11:21 been held back to (say) 11:28 at Didcot, the knock-on beyond Reading would have potentially been greater that the delay beyond Reading on the Cross Country service.

I suggest there was no "right" decision to be made on the regulation of these two trains. 

Well… the stopper also has a long scheduled stop at Reading, from 1147 to 1154.  It didn’t do the Pangbourne stop, which probably saved 2 minutes (hence arriving early at Tilehurst). 

If it had left Didcot at 1128 (ie 7 late) following the XC it should have got to Reading by 1152.  It could have departed on time at 1154, as could have the XC at 1151.

Edit later:  Maybe being flippant, but if there had been a southbound Freightliner coming round Didcot East Curve at 1125 that would OF COURSE have been allowed to precede the stopper, notwithstanding any delays beyond Reading!

[TonyK]

Bournemouth XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) from Didcot on the UM. 

Side issue really, for my education. "UM" is obviously Up Main (at least I think it is!), and I can work out many of the line and path abbreviations used in RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) and elsewhere. But not all - is there a glossary? They are not all in the Acronyms/Abbreviations part of the form.

[NickB]

I haven't seen any reference to this on other threads so I'll pop it here for the meantime.

Can I just say what a wonderful commuting experience I've had over the past two weeks whilst the Oxford engineering works have been taking place. Trains have run on time, but most importantly they've been proper High Speed Train's (HST^▸ (High Speed Train))'s serving the Thames Valley. Most notably the 18.18 6 carriage sweat-fest to Maidenhead was an High Speed Train (HST). Interestingly the 18.18 was still standing in the aisles, giving an idea of demand. Today we're back to the stinky sauna and my summer treat is over.

[IndustryInsider]

Three days of temperatures expected to be at, or above, 30 degrees.  That always seems to be the point at which the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) railways struggle, so I'm expecting delays the later into the day(s) we get.  Let's hope I'm wrong this time!

Turning out to be a very pleasant August... 

[bobm]

For once not the infrastructure.. delays out of Paddington, particularly on the relief lines, after a turbo was hit by stone throwers between Southall and Hayes & Harlington and suffered a broken side window.  At one point five trains were stationary because of it.

[TaplowGreen]

16:45 London Paddington to Reading due 17:47 
This train will be cancelled.
This is due to a points failure.


-Points failure not yet flagged on a Line Update however it's affecting loads of service with stops being missed out etc.........could be a fun rush hour in the heat (which may be responsible I guess?)

[bobm]

Points failure is at Acton on the Up Relief.  Trains having to run on the Main and miss stops so they don't delay HST^▸ (High Speed Train) services and bring the whole show to a halt.

EDIT: Now fixed

[charles_uk]

Signalling problems just south of Oxford this lunchtime. No northbound services for about an hour with residual issues affecting the Cotswold Line through out the afternoon. And as a cherry on top, the 1552 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains):MIM broke down and didn't (as far as I understood) get beyond Reading.

[IndustryInsider]

For once not the infrastructure.. delays out of Paddington, particularly on the relief lines, after a turbo was hit by stone throwers between Southall and Hayes & Harlington and suffered a broken side window.  At one point five trains were stationary because of it.

Here's a report:

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/unbelievably-dangerous-stupid-thing-do-11793031

Not been too bad the last couple of days, notwithstanding the incident above, there's been a few points failures and the odd train giving up in the heat leading to some delays and cancellations, but not the total service meltdown we've seen in previous years.

[dviner]

Just noticed that the 1121 Didcot – Padd stopper was allowed to precede the 1125 Didcot – Bournemouth XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) from Didcot on the UM.  The outcome was the stopper was waiting time at Tilehurst and the XC was 11 late arriving at Reading.

I’m sure there was a good reason for this regulation – I can’t think what it could be but maybe someone has some suggestions….

The XC was only 3 late leaving Reading, however, as it had a stop scheduled there that's longer than operationally needed.   Had the 11:21 been held back to (say) 11:28 at Didcot, the knock-on beyond Reading would have potentially been greater that the delay beyond Reading on the Cross Country service.

I suggest there was no "right" decision to be made on the regulation of these two trains. 

Well… the stopper also has a long scheduled stop at Reading, from 1147 to 1154.  It didn’t do the Pangbourne stop, which probably saved 2 minutes (hence arriving early at Tilehurst). 

If it had left Didcot at 1128 (ie 7 late) following the XC it should have got to Reading by 1152.  It could have departed on time at 1154, as could have the XC at 1151.

Edit later:  Maybe being flippant, but if there had been a southbound Freightliner coming round Didcot East Curve at 1125 that would OF COURSE have been allowed to precede the stopper, notwithstanding any delays beyond Reading!

Sorry, couldn't really unpick all the quotes in the above, but the reasoning behind giving a theoretical Freightliner in front of the stopper is because the stoppers can accelerate better than the freight - so allowing the freight to have all greens (and thus not having to slow down for yellows and reds) will let the freight keep to time. A following stopper may be able to either make up the time, or at least maintain the same delay.

Can't explain the stopper/xc decision though.

[TaplowGreen]

Well this is a new one - how many staff are affected? I wonder what's happened? Not too serious I hope?

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington


Due to signalling staff being taken ill between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington all lines are blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 09:30 03/09.

[ChrisB]

I would hope that it's more than one....very surprising, this. A first?

[plymothian]

Luckily there hasn't been an epidemic in TVSC^» (Thames Valley Signalling Centre - about). 

The Acton workstation signaler's relief didn't turn up, the outgoing bobby worked over his time as there was no one else available to run the station, so it had to be shut down.

[TaplowGreen]

One guy fails to show up for work - and this is the result? Dozens of trains cancelled and severely disrupted as far afield as Cornwall and Wales.

Is there no contingency plan?