Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2018

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

Most instances are resolved pretty quickly, and without causing much disruption.  In this case a simple reset did the trick.  Useful to have a catalog of them on this thread though I suppose.

[TaplowGreen]

Most instances are resolved pretty quickly, and without causing much disruption.  In this case a simple reset did the trick.  Useful to have a catalog of them on this thread though I suppose.

I think the fact that these, and more dramatic (recent) issues with the overhead wires keep happening is more worrying than the fact that some of them are resolved quickly...….it was only a couple of months ago that Paddington was effectively shut for a day if you recall?

[IndustryInsider]

I do recall.  That’s why I said ‘most instances’.

[TaplowGreen]

Not great when the service is already a lot less than normal


Alterations to services between Reading and Maidenhead


Due to a points failure between Reading and Maidenhead the line towards London Paddington bound local stopping is disrupted.
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed by up to 15 minutes or revised. Disruption is expected until 16:45 28/12.
Further Information
Passengers travelling from Didcot Parkway/Reading for Taplow and Burnham are advised to travel to slough and circulate.

[TaplowGreen]

Not great when the service is already a lot less than normal


Alterations to services between Reading and Maidenhead


Due to a points failure between Reading and Maidenhead the line towards London Paddington bound local stopping is disrupted.
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed by up to 15 minutes or revised. Disruption is expected until 16:45 28/12.
Further Information
Passengers travelling from Didcot Parkway/Reading for Taplow and Burnham are advised to travel to slough and circulate.

Huzzah!

Trains now running normally between Reading and Maidenhead


Following a points failure between Reading and Maidenhead the line towards London Paddington bound local stopping is now open.
Train services running to and from these stations are now running normally.

[TonyK]

Passengers travelling from Didcot Parkway/Reading for Taplow and Burnham are advised to travel to slough and circulate.

Circulate? Do they make small talk with strangers, whilst eating hors d'oeuvres?

[broadgage]

"circulate via XYZ" seems to be the favoured term these days, it has the merits of being vague and not promising anything in particular.
Alternatives that give specific advice or instructions need too much thought.

"Change at ABC for local buses" has the drawback that ABC might not be served by buses at the relevant time, or that tickets might not be accepted.
"Change at DEF for London underground" has the drawback that the underground might be closed or on strike.
"Change at west Worzleshire for cross country trains" looks a bit silly if west Worzleshire is not in fact served by cross country.

But a simple "circulate via" avoids any such doubts, and can include walking, or giving up and going back to where you started, or doing something else instead.

[IndustryInsider]

When there's disruption, information to use local buses when ticket acceptance is often provided (together with which numbers) when they are relevant, more so than in the past IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion).  The same goes with the Tube or other TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company)'s.  However, in this case clearly the best advice was to go through to Slough and double back, especially, as TG's two posts illustrated, the disruption was short lived, actually only affecting two trains. 

Though, for me, the word 'circulate' is a bit of a silly one to give to passengers.

[grahame]

Though, for me, the word 'circulate' is a bit of a silly one to give to passengers.

I agree with the sense in having passengers  go through and return to get to their station when it's only open / there's only a train calling in one direction.  As well as at times of stress to the system (where the platform one direction is closed), it's allowed routinely under easements of routing for places where it makes journeys more practical - see via http://data.atoc.org/routeing-guide and search the easement list for places like Dilton Marsh and Pilning.

But I struggle with what to call this for the public.    I too have some disquiet at the word "circulate". I too imagine passengers dressing finely and partaking of a cheese and wine party on the transfer bridge at Reading, mixing with GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) and Network Rail managers as they make an unexpected stop on their way home from London to Slough.    But all very easy to criticise - but what wording would be better??

"Divert via" ... does not indicate the passage through the target station during the round(dish) trip, and I think there's a need for the passenger to be aware this will happen - otherwise the passenger will get concerned and may pull the emergency chain (or whatever it has been replaced with.

"Circulate via" ... see my comments above

"Reflect at" ... oh dear -  - I can imagine the idea relaxation classes, meditation groups ....

"passing through your planned destination to come back the other way" ... too long for short messages and CIS^▸ (Customer Information System) screens

"Double Back at" is the wording used in the routing guide.   To me that's good, clear enough, and strikes me as a positive change from "circulate" - but would it be understood by the public?

[Worcester_Passenger]

Perhaps "Travel via ..."

[grahame]

Perhaps "Travel via ..."

I have the same concern as with "divert via" ...

"Divert via" ... does not indicate the passage through the target station during the round(dish) trip, and I think there's a need for the passenger to be aware this will happen - otherwise the passenger will get concerned and may pull the emergency chain (or whatever it has been replaced with.

... but what do others think?

[stuving]

Perhaps "Travel via ..."

"Travel via" is simplest, but doesn't quite work if you are not changing your route - for example having to go to change partway because no trains are currently stopping at your origin and destination. "Travel to xxx and change" is likely to cover most cases, and I'm sure I've heard it in the past. "Change" can be expanded to something explicit if need be.

[jdw.wor]

“Travel via and return to...........”

[Richard Fairhurst]

IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) the French use "circuler" where we'd use "travel" (as in "passengers must travel via...") but also "run" ("no trains will run..."). I wonder if "circulate" is an inadvertent Gallicism?

[TonyK]

Problem solved - teach everybody French, and then there will be no confusion! Simples!

C’est magnifique, mais ce n’est pas la gare.