Snow/Wintry conditions

[whole diary]

[caliwag]

I really like that Old original...and they are spotted about, still, over the system. That is undoubtedly what the railway, and indeed public service, is about...something that seems to fall below the radar of certain political types!!

So thanks OO^▸ ((Double O) - model railway, 4mm to 1 foot scale) for just reminding us that it indeed still exists.

[Oxman]

WillC is absolutely right about the closure of lines and loops to limit the use of points. The Didcot Avoider was closed for most of the day, and the branch line trains to Twyford, Marlow and Slough were "locked in" to the branches - so no through trains to/from Paddington. That's why the Melksham, Bicester and SVB services were cut. Don't forget that these lines are also used by freight services, which increases the dependency on reliable points.

The problem with the points in snow is about detection. Too much snow between the blades stops them from fully closing which stops detection of the safe closure of the blades. That stops the signalling, and it needs a human being to clear out the points. Network Rail position "snowmen" at the strategic junctions that have to be kept clear (e.g. Wolvercote), but don't have enough resource to staff every set of points.

Network Rail has a plan for extreme weather that includes all of the above and more (such as reduction in the number of services, cutting back of through services). It is Network Rail that decides when to implement the plan. FGW^▸ (First Great Western) is required to go along with it, as are other TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) and FOCs^▸ (Freight Operating Company). The earlier suggestion that FGW had deliberately implemented a reduced timetable to avoid PPM^‡(resolve) failures is complete nonsense.

The 1551 to Worcester terminated at Oxford today because it was nearly 30 mins late and there was no space on the single line for it, for the up Cotswold service that forms the 1736 from Oxford to Padd, and for the 1731 all stations Oxford to Worcester. The latter is normally a two car DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) and forms a connection off the 1723 arrival into Oxford from Padd. Something had to give, so the decision was made to terminate the 1551 and use the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) off the 1723 arrival to form the 1731, vice the two car turbo. In the circumstances, it was the least worse solution! The stock off the 1551 was then used to form the 1801 to Padd, as you say, vice the HST that had gone to Worcester.

[JayMac]

Thank-you for that Oxman, it's all becoming clearer now. I refer to my knowledge of pointwork and not the weather of course!

[willc]

WillC is absolutely right about the closure of lines and loops to limit the use of points.

Wasn't me - devonmetro and Insider noted those issues.

[Boppy]

Thanks Oxman for your post.

I took the 18.36 HST^▸ (High Speed Train) (to Exeter St Davids I think) from Paddington to Reading last night and the train ran slow all the way to Slough along the relief lines before switching to the main lines.  The train manager said it was due to a revised timetable being in place.  I was confused at the time as this didn't explain why we couldn't run on the main line all the way but your post probably explains why if the points were locked in and that effectively only one set of tracks was available for Paddington <-> Reading.  Does that sound right?

Boppy.

[JayMac]

Help please!!

SVB Line, alledgedly an hourly service today but I can find no accurate departure information for Shirehampton. NRE^‡(resolve) (website and telephone) useless. No amended timetable on FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website. Anyone out there know what the ammended departure times are for the service today. I don't wanna be walking to the station to discover nowt is running, I won't be a happy bunny.

Oh, it's nice to know that the 1715 AVN-BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) is cancelled. Any chance of some more current information FGW?

[Phil]

BNM, have you tried the following?

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) tweets on Twitter: http://twitter.com/NRE_FirstGW (latest update: No trains between Cheltenham Spa / Gloucester and Bristol Parkway until further notice - 30 minutes ago)

National Rail updates on Twitter http://twitter.com/nationalrailenq (they're posting something every minute or so at the moment)

The ever relieable and brilliantly designed Chester-le-track site: http://www.chester-le-track.co.uk/ (takes feeds from National Rail but seems to have a back door in, as reports are coming through even when the National Rail site is showing as down - currently all trains out of Shirehampton appear to be cancelled)

National Rail mirror site: http://ow.ly/TAF0

Recorded info:  0845 301 7641

[JayMac]

Thanks Phil. I've exhausted all information feeds, that's why I asked here for possible 'insider' info. Giving it up as a bad job. Have to be the bus instead. First Bus in Bristol's info appears to be up to date an accurate.

[Worcester_Passenger]

The problem with the points in snow is about detection. Too much snow between the blades stops them from fully closing which stops detection of the safe closure of the blades. That stops the signalling, and it needs a human being to clear out the points. Network Rail position "snowmen" at the strategic junctions that have to be kept clear (e.g. Wolvercote), but don't have enough resource to staff every set of points.

Network Rail has a plan for extreme weather that includes all of the above and more (such as reduction in the number of services, cutting back of through services). It is Network Rail that decides when to implement the plan. FGW^▸ (First Great Western) is required to go along with it, as are other TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) and FOCs^▸ (Freight Operating Company). The earlier suggestion that FGW had deliberately implemented a reduced timetable to avoid PPM^‡(resolve) failures is complete nonsense.

Thanks for that, Oxman.

Explains a great deal.

It would be nice if it could be included in a "this is what we have to do in bad weather" page on the National Rail website.

[Glovidge]

Hi peeps

In Windsor at the moment, looking at FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website as trying to get to work in Newport South Wales tomorrow and don't drive. Conditions look appalling, are any trains running to South Wales for as far as I can see they're either severely delayed or cancelled. On FGW website it says this:

South Wales to Paddington - All services to and from Swansea will operate. Services from Cardiff to Paddington at 55 minutes past the hour and from Paddington to Cardiff at 15 minutes past the hour will be suspended. What does this mean as it bears no relation to the liveboards departure?

Going to call to say its extremly doubtful whether I can make it. At least the cricket is exciting!

[Brucey]

Hi peeps

In Windsor at the moment, looking at FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website as trying to get to work in Newport South Wales tomorrow and don't drive. Conditions look appalling, are any trains running to South Wales for as far as I can see they're either severely delayed or cancelled. On FGW website it says this:

South Wales to Paddington - All services to and from Swansea will operate. Services from Cardiff to Paddington at 55 minutes past the hour and from Paddington to Cardiff at 15 minutes past the hour will be suspended. What does this mean as it bears no relation to the liveboards departure?

Going to call to say its extremly doubtful whether I can make it. At least the cricket is exciting!

There appears to be an incident somewhere between Newport SW and Bristol PW^▸ (Permanent Way) which may not be weather related:

Line problem between Bristol Parkway and Newport South Wales.

    Train services have been disrupted due to a problem currently under investigation between Bristol Parkway and Newport South Wales.Short notice alterations and delays of up to 60 minutes may still occur.

    Last Updated: 07/01/2010 13:00

[devon_metro]

Hi peeps

In Windsor at the moment, looking at FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website as trying to get to work in Newport South Wales tomorrow and don't drive. Conditions look appalling, are any trains running to South Wales for as far as I can see they're either severely delayed or cancelled. On FGW website it says this:

South Wales to Paddington - All services to and from Swansea will operate. Services from Cardiff to Paddington at 55 minutes past the hour and from Paddington to Cardiff at 15 minutes past the hour will be suspended. What does this mean as it bears no relation to the liveboards departure?

Going to call to say its extremly doubtful whether I can make it. At least the cricket is exciting!

You won't have any problems.

The following trains will run (only 1 per hour)
Paddington xx45
Reading xx 11
Swindon xx38
Bristol Parkway xx07
Newport S Wales xx31

In the other direction
Newport xx39
Bristol Parkway xx01
Swindon xx28
Reading xx02
Paddington xx30

[clevedonian]

Help please!!

SVB Line, alledgedly an hourly service today but I can find no accurate departure information for Shirehampton. NRE^‡(resolve) (website and telephone) useless. No amended timetable on FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website. Anyone out there know what the ammended departure times are for the service today. I don't wanna be walking to the station to discover nowt is running, I won't be a happy bunny.

Oh, it's nice to know that the 1715 AVN-BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) is cancelled. Any chance of some more current information FGW?

running an hourly service tomorrow according to this on severn beach line.

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=4624

[SandTEngineer]

I went from Plymouth to Paddington yesterday and arrived 40 late and Paddington to Plymouth today (Via Bristol) and arrived 10 late.  Passing through a blizzard at Pewsey yesterday the train conductor mentioned over the PA^▸ (Public Address) that you couldn't travel at this speed on the roads (we were doing normal speed at this point 110mph)  There were smiles all around.

A couple of interesting things:  Have HST^▸ (High Speed Train) drivers been instructed to test the brakes every 15 mins or so (to prevent ice build up in the air pipes?) and found the vestibles full of snow (more of a slipping hazard than some station platforms).

Any way well done to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and its staff

[JayMac]

running an hourly service tomorrow according to this on severn beach line.

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=4624

WARNING.....rant ahead.

Exactly as stated TODAY!!! I am aware of this, others are aware of this, but only FGW^▸ (First Great Western) appear to be aware of an actual timetable. They singularly failed to publish one today for the SVB line. Journey Planners continue to show all services as cancelled tonight and all services subject to disruption tomorrow. It just isn't on to tell us that an amended timetable will be in place and then not bother to tell the travelling public what this timetable consists of.

Today I decided against walking to Shirehampton and instead got a bus (nearly 3 times the cost for me) as I could not be sure when or if a train was due to depart. NRE^‡(resolve) were no help, FGW Customer Service were no help, even a call to FGW Towers in Swindon was no help.

Now, I do appreciate the current operational difficulties but an 'amended timetable' and 'services are subject to delay' gives the impression that despite problems, trains are actually running. I suspect the reality today was that nothing was going up and down the SVB line. Anyone know different, because I sure as hell don't?

Rant over.