Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2022

[whole diary]

[bobm]

The wiring has come down and is touching the top of an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train). 

[TaplowGreen]

I guess this means that people can at least get as far as Reading.

Cancellations to services between Newbury and Bedwyn

Following a person hit by a train between Newbury and Bedwyn all lines have now reopened.

Train services running through these stations are returning to normal but some services will still be cancelled or delayed. Disruption is expected until 09:30 19/09.

[a-driver]

The wiring has come down and is touching the top of an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train). 

Overhead lines are damaged on all but one line heading into Paddington.

Of all the days for this to happen…..

[BBM]

Tweet from a passenger going to SLO saying he's been stuck for 2 hours just outside PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) on the 06:25 (to DID^» (Didcot Parkway - next trains)):
https://twitter.com/rgshanks/status/1571765559338930176

And a reply from GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) saying that the train will be evacuated:
https://twitter.com/GWRHelp/status/1571767549838106625

[a-driver]

Tweet from a passenger going to SLO saying he's been stuck for 2 hours just outside PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) on the 06:25 (to DID^» (Didcot Parkway - next trains)):
https://twitter.com/rgshanks/status/1571765559338930176

And a reply from GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) saying that the train will be evacuated:
https://twitter.com/GWRHelp/status/1571767549838106625

That’ll take time due to the number of stranded trains in the area that all require evacuation.  It requires a significant number of staff to arrange. 

[ellendune]

The wiring has come down and is touching the top of an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train). 

Overhead lines are damaged on all but one line heading into Paddington.

Of all the days for this to happen…..

Is that headspan OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE")? 

[a-driver]

The wiring has come down and is touching the top of an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train). 

Overhead lines are damaged on all but one line heading into Paddington.

Of all the days for this to happen…..

Is that headspan OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE")? 

I believe so.

Confirmed as two trains entangled in the overheads. One IET and a TfL^» (Transport for London - about) service.

[BBM]

The Tweeter Rory who was stuck on the 06:25 has posted a photo after being evacuated from the train at Ladbroke Grove:

https://twitter.com/rgshanks/status/1571787433473179648

[Electric train]

Well that's a great start isn't it?

Today of all days 

Cancellations to services between Slough and London Paddington

Due to damage to the overhead electric wires between Slough and London Paddington all lines are blocked.
Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled or delayed by up to 90 minutes. Disruption is expected until 10:00 19/09.

Customer Advice
We are sorry for the delay to your journey.

A bit of sad irony the reason why the Royal Navy pull the gun carriage at state funeral dates back to 1901 at Queen Victorias funeral
"Owing to the lateness of the train which conveyed Her Majesty’s coffin from Paddington to Windsor the horses attached to the gun-carriage had become cold. When the word of command ‘Walk …March’ was given, the leaders twice reared up, and then fell back on the other horses, which caused all six to fall down".

The ropes were provided by the Great Western Railway to the Royal Navy to pull the gun carriage.

Little consolation to those trying to get to London today

[grahame]

BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Coverage at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-62952485

Queen's funeral: Mourners face severe rail delays to London and Windsor

[TaplowGreen]

BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Coverage at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-62952485

Queen's funeral: Mourners face severe rail delays to London and Windsor

Even for an industry which is no stranger to shockingly poor service, this must absolutely be the bottom of the barrel.

A national embarrassment.

..............and people still have to get home of course, despite disruption continuing until "the end of the day"

[bobm]

There’s no doubt it doesn’t reflect well but what can you do?   If a train or trains brings down the wiring and closes the majority of lines there isn’t much you can do in the immediate short term.

Running diesel trains wasn’t initially possible because of numerous stranded electric trains.  Rescue locos were summoned from Wembley.  The loco preparing to take the empty sleeper stock back to Reading was also put on standby.

Clearly sympathy for passengers caught up in the disruption as well as those in the industry who planned and worked on the early morning trains aimed at getting people to London and Windsor.  They will be as frustrated as anyone.

[BBM]

Looking at Open Train Times Maps, all 4 lines between Southall and Hayes are still currently (at 13:00) blocked by stranded trains:

https://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/signalling/gwml2

I believe but can't confirm that it was 1K01 on the Up Main which brought the wires down.

[a-driver]

Looking at Open Train Times Maps, all 4 lines between Southall and Hayes are still currently (at 13:00) blocked by stranded trains:

https://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/signalling/gwml2

I believe but can't confirm that it was 1K01 on the Up Main which brought the wires down.

Correct. 9R18 has also lost its pantograph and requires rescuing.

Overheads to be reenergised shortly and the up relief and down main can hopefully be reopened once stranded trains have been moved clear.
Priority is to get the overheads made safe.

[grahame]

There’s no doubt it doesn’t reflect well but what can you do?   If a train or trains brings down the wiring and closes the majority of lines there isn’t much you can do in the immediate short term.

In the immediate short term, I would agree.  In the medium and long term, the question has be be asked as to whether the system needs improvement to lessen the changes of disruption and cancellation.

Even for an industry which is no stranger to shockingly poor service, this must absolutely be the bottom of the barrel.

A national embarrassment.

..............and people still have to get home of course, despite disruption continuing until "the end of the day"

Indeed - but yet if it were a very occasional situation it would be far less of an embarrassment.

I've looked back at the last seven days on the TransWilts - maximum 8 trains each way per day - for the last 7 days:
13th - 3 cancelled, 1 later restored, broken train
16th - 1 cancelled, later restored, train fault. Also 1 delayed
18th - 2 cancelled, crew delayed
19th - 5 cancelled (so far), to clear line for trains diverted off other line
and the timetable ran on the other three of seven days.   And this is not unusual.