Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2018

[whole diary]

[ray951]

Just breaking:

Cancellations to services between Didcot Parkway and Oxford
Due to a points failure between Didcot Parkway and Oxford some lines towards Oxford are blocked.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 15:30 04/07.
Last Updated:04/07/2018 14:29

[edit] - so far nothing seems to have moved for about 40 minutes

Well I hope its resolved before I go home as otherwise there will be a lot of even more pi**ed off Oxford-Didcot commuters as yesterday the 1707 was cancelled, for the 3rd time in 5 days, and the next train the 1735 left 25 minutes late.
Normally I would be not looking forward to the 2 week break in service that starts next week due to the Oxford upgrade, but this year it feels more like a welcome break.

[SandTEngineer]

Track circuit failure on Line 3 at Paddington fixed now (04/07/2018).  Other problems still ongoing.

[TaplowGreen]

The inevitable Friday afternoon chaos begins.......Alterations to services between London Paddington and Ealing Broadway
Due to a points failure between London Paddington and Ealing Broadway some lines towards Reading are closed.
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 18:00 06/07.

[Jason]

Indeed, in it rolls...

Due to a speed restriction over defective track between Reading and Basingstoke trains have to run at reduced speed on the line towards Basingstoke.
Impact: Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed. Disruption is expected until 19:00 06/07.

[bobm]

One at Slough and one at Ladbroke Grove.

Slough now resolved while Ladbroke Grove fixed in one position until repairs can be made overnight.

[IndustryInsider]

The Paddington to Ealing Broadway problem was resolved very quickly (within 10 minutes) with minimal reactionary delays to recover and the Basingstoke one was due to a track defect at Mortimer with trains now restricted to 20mph over it, so again not particularity disruptive fortunately.

[Jason]

Basingstoke <-> Reading can barely keep to the current peak timetable as it is, trains are often dropped out because the inbound slips until it's easier to skip one.

Edit: yup 2J53 canned due to inbound 2J50 20 mins late. Now the next service will be overloaded in this heat.

[Jason]

Due to failure of the electricity supply between Reading and London Paddington some lines towards London Paddington are closed.
Impact:
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed. Disruption is expected until 19:00 06/07.

[hassaanhc]

Delays to services between London Paddington and Ealing Broadway
Following a points failure between London Paddington and Ealing Broadway all lines towards Reading are now open.
Train services running to and from these stations are returning to normal. Disruption is expected until 19:15 06/07.
Customer Advice
London Underground are conveying passengers between London Paddington and Ealing Broadway in both directions until further notice. Arrangements have been made for Great Western Railway rail tickets to be accepted for these journeys.
Last Updated:06/07/2018 18:57

[CJB666]

Due to failure of the electricity supply between Reading and London Paddington some lines towards London Paddington are closed.
Impact:
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed. Disruption is expected until 19:00 06/07.

Disruption continued well after 19.30. A GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) all stations from Paddington left from platform 3 packed to the gunnels. Many did not touch in - you can't at platform 3. But the gateline staff were getting pi$$ed when pax pushed through.

30 mins later an HCon from Paddington left platform 12 again packed, leaving many on the platform some with suitcases.

No announcements as to the disruption. No Hcon staff / managers visible. 

[Jason]

Due to a points failure at Didcot Parkway fewer trains are able to run on some lines. Disruption is expected until 10:00 09/07.
Impact:
Train services between Didcot Parkway and Reading may be delayed by up to 15 minutes or terminated at and started back from Reading.

[Adelante_CCT]

Due to a safety inspection on a train between Didcot Parkway and Swindon some lines are blocked.

Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed by up to 45 minutes. Disruption is expected until 13:00 09/07.

Customer Advice
Our Control Room have received reports of a fire alarm sounding on a train between Didcot and Swindon. Response teams are on site investigating. Only one of the two lines normally available can be used between Didcot and Swindon, so congestion will occur

[IndustryInsider]

Normal working resumed between Didcot and Swindon after the issue with the fire bells sounding on a High Speed Train (HST^▸ (High Speed Train)) (again!).  Original train delayed by over an hour but at least the reversible signalling came in handy as trains were able to be routed round it, albeit with delays.

A timely example of how having such signalling, currently being commissioned between Didcot and Oxford of course, can be a real help in such situations - even if not used very often.

Edit: VickiS - Clarifying Acronym

[Jason]

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Swindon and Didcot Parkway trains have to run at reduced speed on the line towards Didcot Parkway. Disruption is expected until 09:30 11/07.
Impact:
Train services between Swindon and Didcot Parkway may be delayed by up to 15 minutes

[bobm]

Normal working resumed between Didcot and Swindon after the issue with the fire bells sounding on a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) (again!).  Original train delayed by over an hour but at least the reversible signalling came in handy as trains were able to be routed round it, albeit with delays.

A timely example of how having such signalling, currently being commissioned between Didcot and Oxford of course, can be a real help in such situations - even if not used very often.

The reversible signalling through the Vale of the White Horse also comes in quite useful when some forms of engineering work are taking place in the late evenings.  Quite often my train has been signalled onto the up line between Didcot and Swindon.