Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2024

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

Delays to services between London Paddington and Reading

Due to a speed restriction over defective track between London Paddington and Slough trains have to run at reduced speed on the Reading bound high speed line. Disruption is expected until 10:00 07/07.

Train services between London Paddington and Reading may be delayed.

[TaplowGreen]

Delays to services between London Paddington and Reading

Due to a speed restriction over defective track between London Paddington and Slough trains have to run at reduced speed on the Reading bound high speed line. Disruption is expected until 10:00 07/07.

Train services between London Paddington and Reading may be delayed.

Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

[ChrisB]

Firstly, OMG^▸ (Oh My doG ).

But I am curious as to how the issue at Twyford was resolved?  Was everyone left to wait in the rain or were coaches provided?

I don't think you could source enough coaches to make a dent in those numbers....GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) found a seven car 165 to run one of the resumed services though

[Timmer]

Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

As my wife, who’s on one of the trains taking an age to get between Paddington and Reading, can testify. Another delay repay claim, to go with the one submitted for the journey to London last Thursday, to go in later this evening.

Still, we count ourselves grateful that the train is running being a Sunday. As mentioned on the other thread, next Sunday could be grim travelling on GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) if England make it to the final of Euro 24.

[grahame]

Firstly, OMG^▸ (Oh My doG ).

But I am curious as to how the issue at Twyford was resolved?  Was everyone left to wait in the rain or were coaches provided?

I don't think you could source enough coaches to make a dent in those numbers....GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) found a seven car 165 to run one of the resumed services though

The seven car was on the branch from 07:15 and made a couple of round trips even before the line was closed.   It stayed until the final train off Henley at 00:34, to Twyford and Paddington only.

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Newbury

Due to a fault with the signalling system between London Paddington and Newbury fewer trains are able to run.

Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed or started from Reading. Disruption is expected until 20:00 09/07.

Customer Advice
Due to a problem with the signal system near London Paddington, we are having to reduce our train service in and out of Paddington this evening.

[TaplowGreen]

From National Rail

Disruption between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport / Reading expected until the end of the day

Incident reported: 10 Jul 2024 at 03:52

Last updated

10 Jul 2024 at 04:03

Train operators affected

Elizabeth line
Great Western Railway
Heathrow Express
Route(s) affected
Between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport / Reading

Description
A speed restriction over defective track at Hayes & Harlington is causing disruption to journeys running through this station.

As a result, trains running between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport / Reading may be cancelled, delayed or revised.

We anticipate disruption will continue until the end of the day.

Customer advice:

Heathrow Express

A half hourly service is in operation.

Additional information:

A track defect has been reported at Hayes & Harlington. A speed restriction has been imposed over the affected section of track to allow trains to travel through the area safely.

Some services may be subject to alterations or cancellations to ease congestion in the affected area.

[nickswift99]

The defect is clearly worse because the up main is now closed with the usual contingency plans in place (Didcot and Newbury services terminating/starting from Reading).

[TaplowGreen]

The defect is clearly worse because the up main is now closed with the usual contingency plans in place (Didcot and Newbury services terminating/starting from Reading).

Journeycheck suggesting the Elizabeth Line as an alternative however it looks like two thirds of their services are cancelled too.

No doubt the newly enthroned Minister with responsibility for Rail in the Lords will be getting a handle on the infrastructure issues soon, given all his experience and perspective gained with Network Rail.

[GBM]

Roger French (bus and train user) not impressed with GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Control decisions or GWR customer care
https://busandtrainuser.com/2024/07/11/a-disastrous-day-on-the-thames-branches/
Penultimate ending.... ..
Once again the company displays complete contempt for its passengers when inconvenienced. Not content with delaying you with a three hour gap in service (albeit for a reason outside of its control), leaving you stranded in the pouring rain for three hours by consciously preventing trains from stopping so you can escape, the company refuses to settle a delay repay claim. It’s about time Mark Hopwood sorted this disgraceful way of dealing with passengers (which keeps happening – see previous blogs) once and for all.

[Mark A]

Wishing that Bus and Train User was able to implement a little time travel and make use of one of Salter Brothers' rail - river passenger vessel round trip tickets.

(Scratch the need for time travel, in 2024 this is actually still possible though only between Abingdon and Oxford - albeit, Abingdon, if not returning on the boat, will involve a bus. This is the sole survivor of various Salters services, including Reading - Henley - Marlow - Windsor, marketed with various options for rail. Also, the longer distance service from Kingston to Oxford, I can't recall how accommodation was organised for *that*. Anyone?)

Mark

https://guildhalllibrarynewsletter.wordpress.com/2015/09/30/the-pleasures-of-a-cruise-on-the-thames-the-salter-family-totally-thames-festival-blog-part-3/

https://salterssteamers.co.uk/oxford-to-abingdon-service-public/

[a-driver]

Roger French (bus and train user) not impressed with GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Control decisions or GWR customer care
https://busandtrainuser.com/2024/07/11/a-disastrous-day-on-the-thames-branches/
Penultimate ending.... ..
Once again the company displays complete contempt for its passengers when inconvenienced. Not content with delaying you with a three hour gap in service (albeit for a reason outside of its control), leaving you stranded in the pouring rain for three hours by consciously preventing trains from stopping so you can escape, the company refuses to settle a delay repay claim. It’s about time Mark Hopwood sorted this disgraceful way of dealing with passengers (which keeps happening – see previous blogs) once and for all.

I fail to see how the situation could have been handled any differently if I’m honest. Looks to be a good example of crowd management which ensured the safety of all concerned.

[TaplowGreen]

Route(s) affected
Elizabeth line between Abbey Wood and Maidenhead / Reading

Great Western Railway between London Paddington and Didcot Parkway / Oxford / Bristol Temple Meads / Bristol Parkway / Great Malvern / Hereford / Swansea / Weston-super-Mare / Paignton / Newquay / Penzance

Description
Lines have now reopened following an earlier trespass incident between London Paddington and Maidenhead. Trains running between these stations may still be cancelled, delayed by up to 25 minutes or revised.

Additionally there a speed restriction over defective track between London Paddington and Acton Main Line. Trains may be further delayed by up to 35 minutes, cancelled or revised.

This is expected until 19:00.

[TaplowGreen]

Cancellations to services between Reading and Didcot Parkway

Due to a fault with the signalling system between Tilehurst and Didcot Parkway fewer trains are able to run on the local stopping line. Disruption is expected until 18:30 17/07.

Train services between Reading and Didcot Parkway may be cancelled, delayed or revised.

Customer Advice
Apologies for the disruption to your journey today.

Network Rail advises that there is a problem with the track circuits in the Tilehurst area. Track circuits enable the signallers to identify where trains are on the railway. In order to fix this problem, Network Rail are sending technicians to investigate the fault.

[TaplowGreen]

From National Rail website....

Route(s) affected
Elizabeth line between Reading / Maidenhead and Abbey Wood

Great Western Railway between Penzance / Plymouth / Newquay / Paignton / Exeter St Davids / Carmarthen / Swansea / Cardiff Central / Weston-super-Mare / Cheltenham Spa / Hereford / Bristol Temple Meads / Newbury / Oxford / Didcot Parkway / Reading and London Paddington

Description
A points failure in the Slough area is causing disruption to journeys running through this station. As some lines are currently blocked, trains may be cancelled, delayed by up to 20 minutes or revised.

Disruption is expected until 18:30.