Weather related disruption - Christmas 2013 and New Year 2014

[ushawk]

anyway ive gone back to the office and managed to find a quiet spot to sleep, hopefully no security guards spot me

May i ask why ? Services are running.

Or is it because you have to sit in scum class ?

 

[PHILIPE]

According to ATW Journey Check, 13 52 Aberdare to Barry Island expected to be 999 minutes late !!! As all stations were omitted, it was obviously cancelled but not processed as such in the system.

 

[6Z09]

One thing that has been totally overlooked on here is the fact that 5 of the top 10 years for rainfall in the 110 years since records began have actually occured in the last 10 years.

This is presenting a significant challenge to Network Rail in maintaining such things as embankments and drainage...

I am sure it does present a challenge given the number of staff they have made redundant in recent years!!

 

[VauxhallandI]

In that case how can you suggest the emergency timetables are over the top? A tree came down earlier on the wires at knebworth. The emergency timetable meant delays were pretty minor with everything, including stoppers, running round the loop. If the normal TT was in place it would certainly have caused chaos and led to lots of delays and cancelations along with choruses of "you have known about this storm since the weekend so why attempt a normal service..."

Where is the cut off point.

Yes it helped as there was a reduced service, granted. However if the same number of people are trying to get from a to b then they are just stuck at a.


All the time there isn't a problem then a full service would be getting a larger proportion of people from a to b.

I hope that makes sense!

H&S point aside

 

[Muzer]

So we did leave an hour earlier, train was diverted via Stafford due to a tree on the overheads on the other line, and also slowed to a crawl due to line clearances at IIRC Nuneaton. Aside from this, the journey went smoothly (admittedly we were in first class), smooth enough to not qualify for delay repay

Anyone got any idea what's happening Friday? I've heard it's supposed to be as bad as today, possibly worse, sadly we're due to travel back that day!

 

[Bushy]

Southeastern currently showing 8 tree falls, a trampoline (now corrected from the earlier notice "trampolice") and a landslip.

I caught a train from CHX at 1729, running 15 late at start, short formed and it took two hours to do the 75 minute journey, but I am home and pleased to be so. SE had warned us to expect delays and I have been keeping an eye on RTT all day. I could have left work early but some might have disapproved so I'm not complaining. I will however claim Delay Repay, as I am entitled to do so.

Regards

Bushy

 

[IanXC]

Having been diverted via the Hertford Loop and nearly been cancelled at Peterborough, 1H05 (1549 from Kings Cross) terminated at Selby some 109 minutes down. This was done into platform 1 with a TP 170 already in the platform, which added another 23 minutes to its own delay of 5 minutes, now attributed as "This train has been delayed by passengers transferring between trains". Still we kept time with the Pacer via Goole!

 

[DJL]

This might seem a silly question but I don't have a TV so I wouldn't know.
However when I did used to have one I remember frequently hearing this on the news "don't travel unless you have to" (or words to that effect) - meaning any form of transport.

Do they not do this any more?

The reason I ask is that a lot of people on here seem to be under the impression that driving is perfectly safe in these conditions (hence their belief that rail travel must also be 100% safe in any weather), however I'm pretty sure the news used to tell people not to go out!

 

[VauxhallandI]

This might seem a silly question but I don't have a TV so I wouldn't know.
However when I did used to have one I remember frequently hearing this on the news "don't travel unless you have to" (or words to that effect) - meaning any form of transport.

Do they not do this any more?

The reason I ask is that a lot of people on here seem to be under the impression that driving is perfectly safe in these conditions (hence their belief that rail travel must also be 100% safe in any weather), however I'm pretty sure the news used to tell people not to go out!

And what does that statement actually mean anyway?

Hospital trips only?

 

[Moonshot]

I am sure it does present a challenge given the number of staff they have made redundant in recent years!!

Absolutely nothing to do with redundancies.......

But whilst we are on the subject, I seem to recall when put out on a voluntary basis, there was no shortage of takers. Which may be something to do with the very generous terms offered.....I just so happened to be working for Network Rail at the time.

 

[6Z09]

Absolutely nothing to do with redundancies.......

But whilst we are on the subject, I seem to recall when put out on a voluntary basis, there was no shortage of takers. Which may be something to do with the very generous terms offered.....I just so happened to be working for Network Rail at the time.

Many Track Renewal Staff might not agree with that statement!!
Think I prefer Bob Crows view on it all.

 

[Moonshot]

Many Track Renewal Staff might not agree with that statement!!
Think I prefer Bob Crows view on it all.

Lol....I ll beg to differ son....

 

[Segedunum]

According to the South West Trains twitter a train has hit a tree between Guildford and Farncombe.

 

[Searle]

Having been diverted via the Hertford Loop and nearly been cancelled at Peterborough, 1H05 (1549 from Kings Cross) terminated at Selby some 109 minutes down. This was done into platform 1 with a TP 170 already in the platform, which added another 23 minutes to its own delay of 5 minutes, now attributed as "This train has been delayed by passengers transferring between trains". Still we kept time with the Pacer via Goole!

Think I saw you zip past Hertford North! Hope you enjoyed your unexpected HLL trip

If anyone wants a laugh/wants to feel sorry for some people, check out this service. Running from London King's Cross to Leeds, via Lincoln. Was due to take just under 4 hours, and it's already 2 hours late at Peterborough. At this rate it'll get to Leeds tomorrow morning

 

[CallySleeper]

Anyone got any idea what's happening Friday? I've heard it's supposed to be as bad as today, possibly worse, sadly we're due to travel back that day!

Was thinking about usual Christmas travel Friday into Saturday. Now thinking about playing it safe and rearranging...

 

[IanXC]

Think I saw you zip past Hertford North! Hope you enjoyed your unexpected HLL trip

If anyone wants a laugh/wants to feel sorry for some people, check out this service. Running from London King's Cross to Leeds, via Lincoln. Was due to take just under 4 hours, and it's already 2 hours late at Peterborough. At this rate it'll get to Leeds tomorrow morning

Luckily for me I only joined at Doncaster! A member of the traincrew was telling me all about it!

I saw East Coast were doing Lincoln-Leeds but I must admit I assumed it would be direct to Doncaster as per the Christmas Market extras, rather than by reversing and calling at Newark twice!

 

[Southern313]

Arun Valley has now closed trapping I believe four services. Due to flooding at Christ's Hospital and Pulborough, along with a few trees down. Flood warning for River Uck around Lewes and total loss of signalling at Havant box. A colleague of mine has been stuck with her train at Portsmouth Harbour since 16:30. Also power issue caused signal at Chichester to go back on a departing train.

Much more to come by the look of it!

 

[ushawk]

Arun Valley has now closed trapping I believe four services. Due to flooding at Christ's Hospital and Pulborough, along with a few trees down. Flood warning for River Uck around Lewes and total loss of signalling at Havant box. A colleague of mine has been stuck with her train at Portsmouth Harbour since 16:30. Also power issue caused signal at Chichester to go back on a departing train.

Much more to come by the look of it!

You mean the Ouse for Lewes !! Though that is also on alert for Lewes and Newhaven, Uck is on alert for Uckfield.

Nothing in and out of Portsmouth at all, trains can run through Havant though.

 

[Bushy]

Quote from BBC

The wind has brought down more than 60 trees on train lines, Network Rail said, while mud-slides and flooding also caused delays.

Staff had had to clear trampolines and sheds from the lines, the rail company added.

 

[CallySleeper]

If anyone wants a laugh/wants to feel sorry for some people, check out this service. Running from London King's Cross to Leeds, via Lincoln. Was due to take just under 4 hours, and it's already 2 hours late at Peterborough. At this rate it'll get to Leeds tomorrow morning

I went Doncaster - Newark via Lincoln (EC) on emergency diversion once so the route knowledge could have been there to go direct Lincoln - Doncaster?

NR must hate the weather. Especially their accountants.

 

[ushawk]

I went Doncaster - Newark via Lincoln (EC) on emergency diversion once so the route knowledge could have been there to go direct Lincoln - Doncaster?

NR must hate the weather. Especially their accountants.

Lincoln - Doncaster is shut due to engineering work.

 

[tsr]

Fulwell-Shepperton is closed due to flooding in a tunnel, and there are now trees on lines near Shalford & Witley. Etc....

 

[Bald Rick]

Slightly OT, but a not inconsiderable number of people flying into Gatwick and Bristol have found themselves landing at Stansted or Birmingham.

 

[Saint66]

Slightly OT, but a not inconsiderable number of people flying into Gatwick and Bristol have found themselves landing at Stansted or Birmingham.

Yep, a lot of aborted landings at Gatwick tonight, and the weather is only going to get worse.

 

[ushawk]

Hitting strong winds in Sussex now and it isnt even the strongest period of winds which will hit 80mph, pretty much what we saw in October.

Its going to be very, very bad tomorrow morning - a late start will be very much necessary.

 

[user15681]

Train hit a tree at St Mary Cray earlier causing severe delays from Victoria to Kent. One passenger reported that the train hit the tree and then allegedly slid along the tracks unable to brake due to debris. All that even at the lowered limit of 50mph. Trains along that area do around 90mph normally. Shocking picture, must have been terrifying for the driver.

 

[ushawk]

Train hit a tree at St Mary Cray earlier causing severe delays from Victoria to Kent. One passenger reported that the train hit the tree and then allegedly slid along the tracks unable to break due to debris. All that even at the lowered limit of 50mph. Trains along that area do around 90mph normally. Shocking picture, must have been terrifying for the driver.

And yet some people on this topic still claim that trains shouldnt have any restrictions in this weather.

Had it been going faster, it could have been incredibly serious.

 

[alastair]

from SWT website:

Service Information for Tuesday 24 December - No trains until 07:30 on all routes.

SEVERE WEATHER: TRAVEL ADVICE FOR SOUTH WEST TRAINS PASSENGERS ON 24 DECEMBER

Train services to start at 7.30am to allow track safety checks after fallen trees and flooding
Maintenance teams working through the night to carry out repairs and clear lines
Extra staff at key locations across network to provide advice and assistance for passengers
Train operator confident passengers will get home for Christmas
Customers advised to check latest travel information in advance of travel
Passengers using South West Trains are advised that services will start later at 7.30am tomorrow (24 December) to allow for track safety checks after severe weather resulted in dozens of fallen trees and flooding at several locations across the network.
Several train operators in the London area are planning to start services later than normal to allow trains to check lines are safe to run passenger services. Further extreme weather is expected later this evening and into the early hours of Christmas Eve.
Maintenance teams are working through the night to carry our repairs and clear lines. Around 35 trees have come down on the South West Trains network today, with flooding at several sites. Power supply problems have also affected signalling. The West of England and Portsmouth lines have been worst affected.
Extra customer service staff will be on hand at key locations tomorrow to provide advice and assistance to passengers. Customers are advised to check the latest travel situation before starting their journeys via southwesttrains.co.uk or on Twitter @SW_Trains.
Ticket flexibility has been increased for today and tomorrow to allow passengers to change their time of travel if necessary.
A spokesman for the South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance said: "The past 24 hours have been very difficult for our customers and we are sorry they have faced significant disruption. It has also been a tough time for our frontline teams across the network who have been working extremely hard in difficult conditions to keep trains running.
"Weather forecasters expect the worst of the extreme conditions to be over by the early hours of the morning, allowing us to run trains that check the lines are safe for passenger services. We would like to thank customers for their patience while we carry out this essential work, which will mean a later start than normal for our services.
"We are confident that we will be able to get all of our passengers where they want to be on our network so they can spend Christmas with family and friends."
For the latest information, please visit our JourneyCheck page.

 

[ushawk]

SWT have suspended service South of Basingstoke and Guildford.

Services already running will run to their destinations.

 

[Monty]

After speaking with colleagues who are out there at the moment it's no joke, things out there are quite bad. Not looking forward to what tomorrow brings that is for sure.