Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2021

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services at Reading.

Due to a points failure at Reading fewer trains are able to run on the line.
Train services running to and from this station may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 11:15 24/01.

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between Didcot Parkway and Reading

Due to a broken down train between Didcot Parkway and Reading some lines are blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 10:00 01/02.

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

Spare a thought for the signallers at TVSC^» (Thames Valley Signalling Centre - about) who are trying to keep the trains running west of Reading.  Up passenger trains from the B&H^▸ (Berks and Hants - railway line from Reading to Taunton via Westbury) are currently being taken round Reading West curve into Tilehurst P3, and then reversing to get into Reading via the Up Loop.  The UR at Reading West Junction is currently occupied by 435F which failed at Pangbourne earlier this morning but managed to get itself to where it is which, thanks to the Up Loop, allows trains to pass it.

As II said a while ago, the new layout is very flexible.

[IndustryInsider]

It was another failed freight, 6A62, which caused most of the problems, failing at Reading West and blocking access to and from both the Feeder Main and Feeder Relief lines as well as the up and down Westbury and the Up Reading West Curve.

Not a good place to stop!  Basically, the only route available through Reading West in either direction was via the Down Reading West Curve, so up trains were sent from there to Tilehurst and then (if heading to Reading) reversing there and running via the Up Passenger Loop (around the other freight) into Reading.  That wouldn't have been possible until the resignalling, so it would have been much worse.   Also, the OHLE^▸ (Over-Head Line Equipment (electrification via catenary)) on the Down Reading West Curve doesn't get used often, but certainly came in handy today - not that many passengers would have been there to witness it!

Rescue loco has now moved 6A62, so it's 'NWR' (Normal Working Resumed).

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

How long does it take to change ends on a Class 80x? Is there a potential issue with keying in the train number in what was the rear cab, especially if the train is somewhere it shouldn't be?  I ask because, watching Tratsky maps, it seemed to take longer than it would do in a low tech Turbo etc.

[IndustryInsider]

It takes a little longer than something like a Turbo, two or three minutes at a guess, mainly due to having to enter the ATP^▸ (Automatic Train Protection) data.  Plus of course a 9-car takes about 4 minutes to walk through when the driver changes ends, even longer for a 10-car.  The train number shouldn't be a problem, especially if doors aren't opened.

For a reference point, IIRC^▸ ('if I recall/remember/read correctly') the allowance for a 5-car IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) to change ends is 7 minutes.  That's to immobilise one end, walk to the other, and set-up the other cab.  Of course, at the moment, there may be an additional short delay whilst the driver sanitises the cab controls to their satisfaction.

[TaplowGreen]

Several of these cancellations this morning;

07:16 Didcot Parkway to London Paddington due 08:20 will be cancelled.
This is due to damage to the overhead electric wires.

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading

Due to urgent repairs to the track between London Paddington and Reading fewer trains are able to run on all lines.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed by up to 20 minutes. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

lengthy list of cancellations/amendments on Journeycheck - thank God for home working!

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading

Due to a fault with the signalling system between London Paddington and Reading fewer trains are able to run on all lines.

Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 08:30 26/02.

[grahame]

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading

Due to a safety inspection of the track between London Paddington and Reading trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines.

Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed by up to 15 minutes. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

Timed at 04:15 - until the end of the day - one heck of an "inspection"??

35+ service running "part route" as I write - mostly Paddington <-> Bedwyn and Paddington <-> Didcot services running west of Reading only.

Edit - this post merged in from "London to Reading" board - grahame

[TaplowGreen]

Good start to the week.....

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading

Due to a safety inspection of the track between London Paddington and Reading trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed by up to 15 minutes. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

[IndustryInsider]

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading

Due to a safety inspection of the track between London Paddington and Reading trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines.

Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed by up to 15 minutes. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

Timed at 04:15 - until the end of the day - one heck of an "inspection"??

Crack in the points on the Down Main Line at Southall West Junction, so a 20mph ESR^▸ (Emergency Speed Restriction (see also EROS)) imposed until the end of service.  No doubt the techs will be keeping a close eye on it throughout the day to ensure it hasn't got any worse, so I guess that is an all day inspection? 

[TaplowGreen]

Due to a broken down train between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington fewer trains are able to run on all lines.

Impact:
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled. Disruption is expected until 08:00 14/04.

Customer Advice:
A broken down Network Rail engineering train is blocking one of the 4 lines to and from Paddington. Local train services operated by Great Western, MTR^▸ (Mass Transit Railway, based in Hong Kong) and Heathrow Express have been reduced as a consequence.

[TaplowGreen]

Affecting services to Bristol, Wales & the South West as well as locals

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington
Due to a fault with the signalling system between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington fewer trains are able to run.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled, delayed by up to 40 minutes or revised. Disruption is expected until 14:30 18/04.

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services at Reading

Due to a fault with the signalling system at Reading some lines are blocked.

Train services running to and from this station may be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 07:30 04/05.