Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2016

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

it was, you heard right...

[stuving]

This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

Presumably in the future, for class 800/801/345 etc., it will say something like "this is due to the train supplier delivering too few trains today".

[JayMac]

I was on a Virgin Trains service from Euston to Glasgow yesterday (Sunday) and made use of the toilet.

When I locked the door there was a recorded announcment stating the things that should not be flushed down the toilet- I've convinced the last thing in the list was "Goldfish"....

That announcement is the same as the signs seen on raised toilet lids, or next to the toilet, on trains in the Stagecoach/Virgin fleets:

[IndustryInsider]

And it's reasonably amusing the first time you hear it, but less so over time!

[TaplowGreen]

...This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.

I wonder if it is actually the HEx 332s that are causing the problems? 

AIUI^▸ ('as I understand it') they are out of service while their anti-roll bars are checked for cracks, and the Connect 360s are running HEx; so GW^» (Great Western - used as an abbreviation for the area / lines under the Great Western franchise, as opposed to FGW which includes "First", the company operating them too. For tickets - about) are running a Paddington - Hayes stopper...

Paul

Not sure this is working out particularly well - I note that a similar message is on RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) today and my usual train was crush loaded from Hayes onwards, people left on platform..........then we roll past OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) to see lots of shiny HEX trains in the sidings!

Any idea how long this is likely to continue?

[TaplowGreen]

Alterations to services at Southall 
Due to a speed restriction over defective track at Southall the London bound main line is blocked.
Impact
Train services running through this station may be delayed by up to 25 mins or revised. Disruption is expected until 16:45 01/03.

Reading - Paddington Stoppers non stopping Langley/Iver/West Drayton/Hayes/Ealing - not exactly ideal with Heathrow Connect down too.........Advice for those wanting Langley - Ealing? Go to Paddington and double back.

[ChrisB]

Any idea how long this is likely to continue?

The HEX website refers currently to 29 Feb - 1 Mar - so maybe back to normal in the morning? Either that, or they don't yet know & maybe that date will change daily until they do?

[Sixty3Closure]

40 mins late into work this morning from Twyford as my usual, fast train was half size and couldn't get on. Apparently due to rolling stock being cascaded around although no mention on the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) website about this. Again if GWR provided full information other than just saying it affects Hayes then I could make alternative plans rather than standing in the rain wondering if I'll get on the next train. 

What I don't really understand is why GWR are providing rolling stock for Heathrow Express which is so far as I know a completely separate company and even a rival on the Heathrow route. Presumably a commercial arrangement has been agreed to switch the rolling stock and GWR are being compensated? I would have hoped their own customers should take priority?

Perhaps next time there's a major incident I'll be allowed to use my ticket on the HEX as that does provide an alternative way home (if friends are still working out that way).

[ChrisB]

HConnect is part-owned by HEX, or HEX contract GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) to run HConnect services, don't they?.....so there'll be some arrangement in their contract to enable this. I don't think GWR have much choice?

[stuving]

HConnect is part-owned by HEX, or HEX contract GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) to run HConnect services, don't they?.....so there'll be some arrangement in their contract to enable this. I don't think GWR have much choice?

Wikipedia says, in its usual authoritative tone of writing:

Heathrow Connect has a complex operating structure. The rolling stock and on-board staff are supplied by Heathrow Airport Holdings (formerly BAA) through the Heathrow Express company. For the portion of the journey between Paddington and Hayes & Harlington, these are leased to GWR and the service is classed as being "operated" by the latter. Between Hayes & Harlington and Airport Junction, it runs using open-access rights obtained by Heathrow Express. Beyond Airport Junction the track is owned by Heathrow Airport Holdings.

That's borne out by the GWR Franchise ITT^▸ (Invitation to Tender), where we read:

Successful mobilisation will include, among other things:
...
* entering into the specific arrangements with BAA under the Great Western franchise in relation to the Heathrow Connect service;
...
Train crew for the Heathrow Connect electric train service from Paddington to Heathrow are to be secured via a special agreement with BAA.
...
Use of the Class 360 electric trains used on the Heathrow Connect service is to be secured via a special agreement with BAA, rather than through a ROSCO^» (Rolling Stock Owning Company - about) lease.
...
It should be assumed that Crossrail Rolling Stock will replace the existing Heathrow Connect rolling stock in May 2018. The Franchisee will not be required make any provision for rolling stock associated with this service after May 2018.
Staff that operate the Heathrow Connect service are employees of the Heathrow Express Operating Company Limited and thus any staff issues associated with this transfer are not a matter for the Great Western Franchise.

[ChrisB]

So HEX OWN & operate HConnect...so of course they'll use them on the HEX trains if needed. GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) being franchised to operate between PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) & Hates, are doing that with 165s. Does make sense

[TaplowGreen]

Looks like the same situation today.

[stuving]

So HEX OWN & operate HConnect...so of course they'll use them on the HEX trains if needed. GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) being franchised to operate between PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) & Hates, are doing that with 165s. Does make sense

I imagine that HEx's track access agreement doesn't include serving the stations en route. So, "obviously", it's easier for GWR to sub-lease train and crew and operate part of the route than alter the TAA.

I'd always thought HLA were dragooned into co-providing the HC service, but it now looks as if that's wrong, and rather unfair on them.

[ChrisB]

Just mentioned on uk.rail newsgroup

Now extended to cracks around the bogie centre pin mounts

and
From RailNews

*Heathrow Express fleet withdrawn indefinitely*
 
 THE premium fare train service to Heathrow Airport will be operated by
 substitute rolling stock until further notice, after depot staff carrying
 out routine maintenance on Sunday reportedly discovered a crack in an
 underframe which the operator has described as a 'structural defect'.
 
 The Class 332 fleet has operated Heathrow Express since the service began
 in 1998. The units were supplied to BAA after a contract had been agreed
 with a joint venture between Siemens and CAF^▸ (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, Spanish train manufacturer), and built by CAF at Zaragoza
 in Spain. Engineers from both companies have arrived at Old Oak Common
 depot to help investigate the fault.
 
 ...
 Heathrow Express said: "Following investigation, a fault ^ a structural
 defect on the underside of the carriage ^ was found on some Heathrow
 Express trains. They have now been taken out of service for the foreseeable
 future, and will undergo further examination and maintenance work.
 Passengers can still reach the airport using the Heathrow Express as a
 15-minute service is being maintained using alternative trains."

So ongoing, with indefinite time-frame currently

[stuving]

Journeycheck is now saying:

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 5

Due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 5:

I can't help feeling that this new-style reason is a bit of an understatement in this case.

And while it may be literally true that these trains are "between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 5" at the moment, it's hardly relevant, is it?