Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2022

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

Cotswold trains were running with delays as they were reversing at Reading & returning....I caught the 1645 off Oxford just 15 late 

[IndustryInsider]

Generally speaking if the lines are shut between PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)<>RDG^‡(resolve) and you’re heading to the North Cotswolds, I’d recommend Chiltern to Oxford and then as Chris says there’s usually some sort of service provided by turning round the trains at either Reading or Oxford.  It won’t be perfect, but there’s usually something.

[TaplowGreen]

I don't think it's a Berkshire thing

No and yes.  There are certainly places where people are hit by trains far more than in other places - communities in which seeking help and sorting things out is not seen as the first option, or even as an option.  And some of those are places between London and Reading. 

The truth is somewhat more prosaic.

At numerous points, it is very easy to gain access to the railway line between Reading & Paddington.

There are truly dismal suicide websites which point this out and suggest it as a location to those thinking of ending it all....I don't recommend reading them.

That said, I note that there's another one today, at Plymouth.

[jamestheredengine]

Generally speaking if the lines are shut between PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)<>RDG^‡(resolve) and you’re heading to the North Cotswolds, I’d recommend Chiltern to Oxford and then as Chris says there’s usually some sort of service provided by turning round the trains at either Reading or Oxford.  It won’t be perfect, but there’s usually something.

Yeah, the point was I was going to Wales: so that line is useless if the trains don't reach Hereford (and would be much better if they extended them to Newport in such circumstances, rather than cutting them back to Worcester Shrub Hill).

[TaplowGreen]

Back to the usual - this problem now seems to be becoming endemic between Reading and Paddington;

Due to a points failure between London Paddington and Reading the line towards Reading is blocked.

Impact:
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed by up to 30 minutes. Disruption is expected until 09:15 08/04.

[TaplowGreen]

Back to the usual - this problem now seems to be becoming endemic between Reading and Paddington;

Due to a points failure between London Paddington and Reading the line towards Reading is blocked.

Impact:
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or delayed by up to 30 minutes. Disruption is expected until 09:15 08/04.

Disruption now expected till 1100

[ChrisB]

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

[IndustryInsider]

Thanks for bringing the topic back to infrastructure issues, guys.

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Reading

Due to damage to the overhead electric wires between London Paddington and Reading the London Paddington bound high speed line is blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 05:30 13/04.

[ChrisB]

Seems to be the London side of Hayes & Harlington. TfL^» (Transport for London - about) are always more accurate

[bobm]

Ladbroke Grove

[NickB]

… and that marked the end of my planned first trip to London in 2022. All rather annoying.

[TaplowGreen]

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


Cancellations to services between Reading and London Paddington

Due to damage to the overhead electric wires between Reading and London Paddington fewer trains are able to run on the line towards London Paddington bound high speed.

Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled or terminated at and started back from Reading. Disruption is expected until the end of the day

[TaplowGreen]

.....welcome to the new working week......


Alterations to services between London Paddington and Southall

Due to a points failure between London Paddington and Southall some lines are blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 09:00 19/04.

[Electric train]

It is posible there vacancies in the maintenance depots which I understand NR^» (Network Rail - home page) Snr Executive have agreed with the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) cannot be filled until the National negotiations with the Trade Unions is happening.  This means that as staff retire or resign posts are not being filled, there are apprentices that have been held back while the reorganisation is being worked through. If the vacancies are deemed safety critical then they can be filled internally by higher grade cover also some temporary cover is used however this is by local agreement.