Engineering works/signal failures

[whole diary]

[Oxman]

I understand it was cable theft between Moreton and Evesham, which knocked out the signalling link between the 'boxes. Pilot working was introduced - bit slow at first, but got slicker later in the day. The plan was to fully restore the signalling last night.

[willc]

And presumably the thieves will have got home and taken a closer look and realised they taken a load of the fibre-optic cable installed last summer with no copper in it and of no scrap value.

[inspector_blakey]

It's often struck me that the railways shoot themselves in the foot PR^▸ (Public Relations)-wise by describing cable theft as "signal failure" - makes it sound like shoddy equipment or maintenance is to blame when in reality it's nothing of the sort. Would attributing the delay to "theft of signalling cables" or something along those lines be generally understood, or just cause more confusion?

[Worcester_Passenger]

It's often struck me that the railways shoot themselves in the foot PR^▸ (Public Relations)-wise by describing cable theft as "signal failure" - makes it sound like shoddy equipment or maintenance is to blame when in reality it's nothing of the sort. Would attributing the delay to "theft of signalling cables" or something along those lines be generally understood, or just cause more confusion?

Agree totally. And it'd be generally understood.

[grahame]

Agree totally. And it'd be generally understood.

BUT ... would descriptions of that sort encourage certain elements to think "oh - there's an idea - let's go out and nick some cable ..."?

[Oxman]

At first, it was thought to be signal failure. Some time later, the cut cable was found........

[IanL]

Thanks for all the updates and explanations. As a final word I got on my first 'on time' train for the week this morning, 0835 CBY to OXF^» (Oxford - next trains), on time and for once managed to find a seat. (no other train has been less than 20min late if it has run).

[Tim]

And presumably the thieves will have got home and taken a closer look and realised they taken a load of the fibre-optic cable installed last summer with no copper in it and of no scrap value.

Maybe fibre optic cable needs to be better labelled as such. 

[Electric train]

And presumably the thieves will have got home and taken a closer look and realised they taken a load of the fibre-optic cable installed last summer with no copper in it and of no scrap value.

Maybe fibre optic cable needs to be better labelled as such. 

Would not matter a jot .......... we have cable clearly labeled HIGH VOLTAGE 33,000 Volts and they still get cut when they are alive!!!  These criminals don't care about the cost, inconvenience caused or even the risk to their own lives they just want the few quid they can get from a dodgy scrap dealer

[Oxman]

Another cable was cut at Honeybourne over the weekend, I understand.

[Steve44]

Agree totally. And it'd be generally understood.

BUT ... would descriptions of that sort encourage certain elements to think "oh - there's an idea - let's go out and nick some cable ..."?

Good point.
Perhaps it could be reported as "Vandalism" in that case?

[JayMac]

'Signal failure' or 'signalling problems' gives the impression that the fault lies with the railway. Therefore pax will maybe see or hear this and quite justifiably put in a claim for delay compensation.

As FGW^▸ (First Great Western) is not yet using the 'Delay/Repay' scheme, then they do not have to pay out in the event of vandalism, as vandalism is classed as a 'circumstance beyond the control of the railway'.

Tell it like it is at the earliest opportunity. Leave details on the website for a few days after an event with the correct reasons for delays and pax will be better informed as to whether they are able to claim compensation.