Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2018

[whole diary]

[Jason]

It may be that was the worst case being quoted, this is now updated to:
"Disruption is expected until 15:00 17/01"

[eightf48544]

I thought the excessive padding in the timetables was inserted to take care of TSRs^▸ (Temporary Speed Restriction)?

[TaplowGreen]

It may be that was the worst case being quoted, this is now updated to:
"Disruption is expected until 15:00 17/01"

Pushed out again

Due to a speed restriction over defective track between Hayes & Harlington and London Paddington trains have to run at reduced speed on some lines towards London Paddington.
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed by up to 10 minutes or running non stop between Hayes & Harlington and London Paddington. Disruption is expected until 23:59 17/01.

[Electric train]

Its probably a cracked cast magnese crossing (again)......  They are OK to travel over at 20mph and a track watchman is usually put in place to keep an eye on it.  The delay is usually due to having to get the new crossing (they are no lightweight thing), staff and kit on site to do the change.

This could all be guessing though, it might just be that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) aren't organised enough to correct whatever defect it is, in 24 hours.....

SandTEngineer could right, some of the castings are specials and only a few are held Nationally.

The other problem is the cutting, stressing and welding in sub zero rail temperatures, UK^▸ (United Kingdom) rail is stressed for a normal 20^oC the Track Engineer may be reluctant to do this operation with the current tempratures 

[TaplowGreen]

.....here we go again...

 
Cancellations to services between Southall and Slough

Due to a speed restriction over defective track between Southall and Slough fewer trains are able to run on some lines towards Slough.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed by up to 20 minutes. Disruption is expected until 14:30 18/01.
Further Information
Trains from London Paddington/Southall towards Slough/Reading, are unable to call at Hayes, West Drayton, Iver and Langley.

[Louis94]

.....here we go again...

 
Cancellations to services between Southall and Slough

Due to a speed restriction over defective track between Southall and Slough fewer trains are able to run on some lines towards Slough.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed by up to 20 minutes. Disruption is expected until 14:30 18/01.
Further Information
Trains from London Paddington/Southall towards Slough/Reading, are unable to call at Hayes, West Drayton, Iver and Langley.

5mph ESR^▸ (Emergency Speed Restriction ) due to a broken insulated rail joint. Sounds like they are hoping to replace it this afternoon.

[Jason]

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Didcot Parkway and Reading some Didcot Parkway lines are blocked.
Impact: Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed. Disruption is expected until 13:00 18/01.

[grahame]

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Didcot Parkway and Reading some Didcot Parkway lines are blocked.
Impact: Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed. Disruption is expected until 13:00 18/01.

Greetings from 1C12 at Goring and Streatley

Fast lines westbound closed ... everyone on the slow lines

Err - sorry - main lines closed ... everyone on the relief

Said to be a "broken rail" to us on the train.  Presumably the track is strong enough to take the new trains?

[Louis94]

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Didcot Parkway and Reading some Didcot Parkway lines are blocked.
Impact: Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed. Disruption is expected until 13:00 18/01.

Greetings from 1C12 at Goring and Streatley

Fast lines westbound closed ... everyone on the slow lines

Err - sorry - main lines closed ... everyone on the relief

Said to be a "broken rail" to us on the train.  Presumably the track is strong enough to take the new trains?

Defect in a set of points on the Down Main at Didcot East. The set of points have in the last 15 minutes been authorised for train movements when in the reverse position, this means everything will have to cross over to the Relief lines if using the Down Main.

[BBM]

According to the Metro newspaper, today's disruption caused Prince Harry and Meghan to arrive nearly an hour late for their visit to Cardiff:

http://metro.co.uk/2018/01/18/meghan-markle-prince-harry-hit-train-delays-making-one-hour-late-cardiff-visit-7240147/

[grahame]

According to the Metro newspaper, today's disruption caused Prince Harry and Meghan to arrive nearly an hour late for their visit to Cardiff:

http://metro.co.uk/2018/01/18/meghan-markle-prince-harry-hit-train-delays-making-one-hour-late-cardiff-visit-7240147/

1. If you have an important engagement, it usually makes sense to take one train earlier than then you really need (discuss)

2. I was also nearly an hour late home.   Why didn't that make The Metro's web site? 

[eightf48544]

Going for the train before is a kind of insurance. If one could rely on one's intended train running and reasonably to time (< 5-10 mins late depending on connections) every time you wanted to catch it then going for the train before would become unnecessary.

 I must admit where possible I tend to go for the train before especially if I have an onward connection. It gives more drinking time at the junction station even at Mirfield!

Should this be a new thread?

[TaplowGreen]

Going for the train before is a kind of insurance. If one could rely on one's intended train running and reasonably to time (< 5-10 mins late depending on connections) every time you wanted to catch it then going for the train before would become unnecessary.

 I must admit where possible I tend to go for the train before especially if I have an onward connection. It gives more drinking time at the junction station even at Mirfield!

Should this be a new thread?

Yes I think most regular travellers (definitely commuters) are resigned to the fact that our railway system is so unreliable that you rely on one train to get you there on time at your peril and so set out earlier than should be necessary.

Those who don't use trains regularly however are perhaps naïve enough to assume that the advertised timetable can be relied upon?

[eightf48544]

in the bad old days of Thames Trains when 80% punctuality was the norm, it meant you would regularly be late on at least two of your daily commutes per week. Usually an evening you wanted to be on time.

The only consolation you got 5% on your annual seaon ticket, which meant for several years as inflation wa ;ow I paid less each year.

[TaplowGreen]

Back on topic......

Delays to services between Slough and West Drayton
Due to a points failure between Slough and West Drayton some lines towards London Paddington are blocked.
Train services running through these stations may be delayed by up to 10 minutes. Disruption is expected until 20:00 18/01.