Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2016

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

You may have better things to do with your Sunday morning, but watching how the signallers are dealing with the issues on the map http://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/signalling/slough can be quite fascinating... 

More important things, maybe, but they can wait.

Sadly I am being "talked by" the sofa through the back door to mow the lawn. Delays and cancellations are not an option.

I would be interested in what is being done to sort out the axle counter issue though, I remember not so long ago it was being flagged as a panacea to all the signal failures that were occurring, now it seems to be pretty much a daily event.

[TonyK]

Sadly I am being "talked by" the sofa through the back door to mow the lawn. Delays and cancellations are not an option.

 

At least I have a morning with a chain saw to amuse myself. After another cuppa, maybe. It's in the planning...

[IndustryInsider]

I would be interested in what is being done to sort out the axle counter issue though, I remember not so long ago it was being flagged as a panacea to all the signal failures that were occurring, now it seems to be pretty much a daily event.

As I suspected in this instance it was due to the large amount of engineering work in preparation for electrification and the layout changes at Maidenhead this Christmas - we've discussed those on the Crossrail thread.  Piling had caused damage to the sensitive axle counter equipment.  Another reminder of how difficult it is to do complex work on an operational railway.  Expect more instances of similar disruption until all the work is completed during next year.  Hopefully after that it'll settle down and be reliable, but I'm having my doubts.

[TonyK]

At least I have a morning with a chain saw to amuse myself. After another cuppa, maybe. It's in the planning...

Who'd be a prophet, eh? Anyone know a chainsaw mender?

[Surrey 455]

Piling had caused damage to the sensitive axle counter equipment.

.... and to BT Openreach cables. Still no broadband for many in West Drayton & Uxbridge.

[TaplowGreen]

Day after day after day....... Delays to services between Newbury and Reading
Due to a fault with the signalling system between Newbury and Reading trains have to run at reduced speed on the line towards Reading.
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed by up to 10 minutes. Disruption is expected until 16:00 27/10.
Last Updated:26/10/2016 13:15

[NickB]

Disruption is expected until 16:00 27/10.
Last Updated:26/10/2016 13:15

Disruption expected for >24hrs?!?!?  Not good.

[IanL]

And this morning at Worcester, trains cancelled along the Cotswold line due to signal failures.

[TaplowGreen]

Getting far beyond a joke now.....I'm at Slough and there are far chunkier delays than 10 minutes. I wonder if there's any chance of an incident free day anytime soon?                       Delays & Cancellations between Ealing Broadway and Hayes & Harlington
Due to a speed restriction over defective track between Ealing Broadway and Hayes & Harlington trains have to run at reduced speed on some lines towards Reading.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 10 minutes or revised. Hanwell will not be served. Disruption is expected until 18:00 27/10.

[NickB]

Getting far beyond a joke now.....I'm at Slough and there are far chunkier delays than 10 minutes. I wonder if there's any chance of an incident free day anytime soon? Delays & Cancellations between Ealing Broadway and Hayes & Harlington
Due to a speed restriction over defective track between Ealing Broadway and Hayes & Harlington trains have to run at reduced speed on some lines towards Reading.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 10 minutes or revised. Hanwell will not be served. Disruption is expected until 18:00 27/10.

Good thing I can claim this on delay repay.  Oh, wait...

[Jason]

Something is knackered outside Paddington. It's taken 15 minutes to get almost nowhere.

[NickB]

Agreed.  17.49 to Worcester was 6mins late moving from the platform 'due to signal problems' and isn't moving very fast yet.
At first I attributed this to the 'Intercity' unit being used - I haven't seen a blue white and red unit for quite some time. 😳

[Surrey 455]

Agreed.  17.49 to Worcester was 6mins late moving from the platform 'due to signal problems' and isn't moving very fast yet.
At first I attributed this to the 'Intercity' unit being used - I haven't seen a blue white and red unit for quite some time. 😳

Blue, white and red? Is Network South East still going?

[TaplowGreen]

.....now stretched out to over 24 hours;

Cancellations to services between Newbury and Bedwyn

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Newbury and Bedwyn fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 11:00 30/10.

Customer Advice
Replacement road transport services are conveying passengers between Newbury and Bedwyn via Kintbury and Hungerford in both directions until further notice.

[NickB]

Agreed.  17.49 to Worcester was 6mins late moving from the platform 'due to signal problems' and isn't moving very fast yet.
At first I attributed this to the 'Intercity' unit being used - I haven't seen a blue white and red unit for quite some time. 😳

Blue, white and red? Is Network South East still going?

It was last night. The unit was 'Great Western' if I recall correctly, and was labelled Intercity.