Rain event 24/11/24 (Storm Bert)

[whole diary]

[grahame]

... that trains on the Bristol-Southampton line are running a tolerably useful service. ( I was going to include the Melksham line (gasp) but at this moment the train's in the platform at Westbury, apparently waiting for a conductor).

Yep . that's not uncommon with that train ... as I understand it, the crew comes off the London to the South West semi-fast and if anything goes wrong with / delays the trains on the main line knock on to the TransWilts, even thought (staff excepted) only a small proportion of people come in via from or viaPewsey and head out to or via Melksham.

[Trowres]

Confirming that the 12:17 Westbury-Swindon was cancelled, and its return working, due to "an issue with the train crew".

Rather short notice, that.

[Mark A]

Hmm, a friend needs Bath Spa to Plymouth and back, tomorrow Tuesday 26th November... looks as if they'll need to drive it though.

Mark

[TaplowGreen]

.......at a time like this? There genuinely isn't a single other person who could take over?

[grahame]

And for tomorrow (26th November)  ...

We promised to keep you updated on the impact of Storm Bert on our services. Network Rail and GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) teams have been working throughout the day to clear and inspect the lines, opening them for service where possible.
 
We are now able to operate a limited service on most of our routes, including from South Wales, Bristol and the Cotswolds to London. Our South Wales services must operate via a diversionary route due to flooding between Bristol Parkway and Swindon, meaning journeys are taking longer.
 
Flooding is still blocking the line between Bedwyn and Taunton, meaning there are no long-distance services between Devon & Cornwall and London. Customers are advised not to travel on this route; we do have ticket acceptance on SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) from Exeter St Davids to London Waterloo for customers who do need to travel.
 
Local services in Devon & Cornwall are now operating with the exception of the Barnstaple and Okehampton lines which remain closed. Our Night Riviera sleeper service will not operate tonight or tomorrow (Tuesday 26 Nov).
 
We will maintain a reduced service on our long-distance routes tomorrow (Tuesday 26 Nov). Additional rain is forecast for tomorrow evening which could result further flooding of the railway at certain key locations. As a result customers are advised to complete journeys tomorrow by 1900.
 
Tickets dated for today (Mon 25) can be tomorrow and on Wednesday 27 Nov, or customers can claim a full fee-free refund. For the latest information and to check journeys, customers should visit www.gwr.com/check.
 
Thank you for your patience and support, and if there’s anything we do to help, please do get in touch.

[Trowres]

Flooding is still blocking the line between Bedwyn and Taunton, meaning there are no long-distance services between Devon & Cornwall and London

Freight trains have been running between the Mendips, Westbury, Bedwyn and beyond since about 11:00 on 25th. OK, so Castle Cary-Taunton remains closed, but it would have been nice to have had some service for the intermediate stations, or even a message that Pewsey would have zero service all day, Monday.

Apart from the quoted line above, most communications have referred to services between London Paddington and Penzance ... not a mention of Paignton.

I note that with flooding at Lydney, TfW managed to put together a service as far as Chepstow. Perhaps over the border priorities are different?

[broadgage]

With "once in a century" floods now occurring every few years, and a reasonable expectation that this will get worse and not better, the railway needs to get better prepared. Or in more detail-

When a new bridge is required over a rail line, at LEAST one meter EXTRA clearance should be provided under the bridge in order that the track can be raised in future without altering the bridge.

When a platform is being worked on or replaced, it should be raised by the maximum permitted height relative to the train, in order that the track can be later raised without altering the platform.

New or refurbished station buildings should be designed to be flood resistant, hard floor and wall coverings that can be pressure washed rather than replaced after a flood. High level electrics. High level shelfs upon which can be placed IT equipment and other valuables when flooding threatens.

Substations for traction or domestic purposes to be located on plinths a meter above the worst previous flood.

[chuffed]

And stop building on flood plains. The clues in the name....

[Electric train]

With "once in a century" floods now occurring every few years, and a reasonable expectation that this will get worse and not better, the railway needs to get better prepared. Or in more detail-

When a new bridge is required over a rail line, at LEAST one meter EXTRA clearance should be provided under the bridge in order that the track can be raised in future without altering the bridge.

When a platform is being worked on or replaced, it should be raised by the maximum permitted height relative to the train, in order that the track can be later raised without altering the platform.

New or refurbished station buildings should be designed to be flood resistant, hard floor and wall coverings that can be pressure washed rather than replaced after a flood. High level electrics. High level shelfs upon which can be placed IT equipment and other valuables when flooding threatens.

Substations for traction or domestic purposes to be located on plinths a meter above the worst previous flood.

All great ideas and they are adopted where possible.

Although station building built so the can be pressure washed would be very clinical in there look.

Elevating electrical equipment is done based on flood risk where possible, although its not just the railways own infrastructure that gets wiped out in floods.

Nature can be defended to a point of cost .................... simple question

How much is the travelling public willing to pay in terms of rail fares to get to 100% flood defence

[ChrisB]

When a platform is being worked on or replaced, it should be raised by the maximum permitted height relative to the train, in order that the track can be later raised without altering the platform.

So much for level boarding though, eh?

[Red Squirrel]

I have edited the subject of this topic to clarify that the rain event is Storm Bert

[grahame]

From GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) a couple of hours ago (dusk on 26th November)

We promised to keep you updated as the impact of Storm Bert continues to be felt.
 
While most lines have now reopened, both the Barnstaple and Okehampton branch lines remain closed and are likely to remain so until at least Thursday 28 Nov. High water levels in the River Yeo to the north of Crediton means Network Rail divers aren’t yet able to ascertain the damage to a rail bridge over the river, so the lines remain closed.
 
We are operating a rail shuttle service from Exeter St Davids to Crediton, and a limited rail replacement service between Exeter and Barnstaple/Okehampton. These taxis/buses will run directly between Exeter and Barnstaple/Okehampton respectively and will not call at any intermediate stations, including Crediton. We also have ticket acceptance on certain local bus routes; more information can be found at www.gwr.com/check.
 
The line between Bristol Parkway and Swindon also remains closed due to flooding. As a result our South Wales-London service is reduced to an hourly frequency, and continues to run on a diversionary route adding around 45 minutes to journey times. Similarly we expect this to remain in place until Thursday 28 Nov at the earliest.
 
Tickets dated for travel today can be used tomorrow (Weds 27 Nov). There is also heavy rain forecast overnight this evening into tomorrow and with water levels already very high there is the chance for further disruption, so we’re advising customers to check before they travel at www.gwr.com/check, or through our social media accounts at www.x.com/gwrhelp and www.x.com/networkrailwest.
 
As ever if there’s anything we can do to help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

[grahame]

From GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) a couple of hours ago (dusk on 26th November)

We promised to keep you updated as the impact of Storm Bert continues to be felt.
 
[snip]
 
As ever if there’s anything we can do to help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

We understand that in times of extreme weather and high river levels some trains have to be cancelled,  but it would be a real help to us if you could run almost all of the trains that are in your timetable please once this unusual weather event has passed. Thank you

[TaplowGreen]

From GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) a couple of hours ago (dusk on 26th November)

We promised to keep you updated as the impact of Storm Bert continues to be felt.
 
[snip]
 
As ever if there’s anything we can do to help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

We understand that in times of extreme weather and high river levels some trains have to be cancelled,  but it would be a real help to us if you could run almost all of the trains that are in your timetable please once this unusual weather event has passed. Thank you

......and if you genuinely want to help, ensure that your communications channels are adequately resourced, configured, informed and empowered in order to be able to help people who "don't hesitate to get in touch" as you are encouraging.

[lbraine]

This is almost rubbing salt into an open wound, but if you have a spare 3 hours in the day you might like to watch the video and marvel at how the Norwegian railways cope with bad weather.

It gets particularly spicy about 1hr 40min. Just try to picture an IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) running in the same conditions.

https://youtu.be/JvDjZRR9LAg?si=e7nt4ohYCEMI1Ta-