Weather related disruption - Christmas 2013 and New Year 2014

[infobleep]

Re Southern, why give staff information, it night help customers.

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South West Trains didn't do a good job day/yesterday with communication it appears [as journalists might say; they love the word appears].

According to the National Rail Enquries app, the first bus from Petersfield to Haslemere left at 5.20. I checked the app at 4am this morning when I happened to wake up but no buses listed them. However the update at 1.10am, which is still on SWT journey check page, didn't even give the bus times either so perhaps at 4am they were in discussions with bus companies. After all bus depots do open up early. OK so they added them in at the last minute if that is in fact the case.

However SWT journey check page still doesn't list the buses.

On top of that their home page had an alert updated at 7.12 to say that buses will be starting from Petersfield at 7.10 and Haslemere at 6.20. I don't know if they were just correcting a mistake or if that was the first alert with bus times.

The question is however, did they start at 5.20 or 7.10? Also was the announcement only put out at 7.10, 50 minutes after the first bus actually left if the times on the alert are to be believed or did they list the bus times earlier than that? Someone must have known when the buses were leaving as you can't get buses just like that.

I work in the public sector and I work along side IT people who as part of their job contract have to be on call out of hours, should Web Sites or other infrastructure go down. This includes during the night! Surely SWT must operate something similar and be able to get the information out.

Yes they did update at 1.10 but whose to say that wasn't an automatic update, set to go out then but written some hours earlier. Technology does allow for such things. The weather they can't control and they were doing the best they can in that area but the information they can control and today/yesterday they, from what I've seen, I don't think they didn't such a good job.
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There was video of a helicopter shot of the quarry line landslip on the BBC, plus a stuck 442. I think taken from about here:
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=51.29064,-0.152435&spn=0.008118,0.013797&t=h&z=16

A very short clip is on here about 1.30 in.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25503188

Thanks for sharing that. Will have look.
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Not according to Gatwick Express it isn't:

(http://www.gatwickexpress.com/)

Although they do say the following:


Which gives the impression Gatwick Express are running services tomorrow. However when I look up the services on National Rail Enquiries, I can find no Gatwick Express trains, just Southern, which of course is not the same thing.

However if you go to the live news page, then to get a more correct announcement stating that Gatwick Express is not running services. However I saw the first announcement and didn't look any further.

Two pages with more accurate information:
http://www.gatwickexpress.com/en/your-journey/timetable/improvement-works/
http://www.gatwickexpress.com/en/your-journey/timetable/christmas-and-new-year-services/
Page with slightly misleading information:
http://www.gatwickexpress.com/

Perhaps Gatwick Express trading company owners, Southern, were concerned customers might not buy expensive tickets valid on Gatwick Express if they state on their home page, Gatwick Express trains are not running. People might buy off peak tickets instead. Of course they can easily claim Gatwick Express doesn't have tickets marked Gatwick Express. Or am I being far too cynical?

 

[cf111]

Are the "signalling problems" being reported at Aberdeen on ScotRail's Journey Check weather related at all? Everything south out of Aberdeen looks to be cancelled.

 

[tsr]

Those customers who have paid any premium Southern like to charge for the "Gatwick Express"-branded service can apply for a refund of this difference in cost between Southern & "Gatwick Express" tickets (during the engineering work period only). Forms are available from Gatwick Airport Station's Welcome Desk.

 

[Stats]

Perhaps Gatwick Express trading company owners, Southern, were concerned customers might not buy expensive tickets valid on Gatwick Express if they state on their home page, Gatwick Express trains are not running. People might buy off peak tickets instead. Of course they can easily claim Gatwick Express doesn't have tickets marked Gatwick Express. Or am I being far too cynical?

You are being cynical. The Anytime Any Permitted fare (Single) has been reduced to the same price as a Southern Only fare for the duration of the blockade.

 

[sarahj]

You are being cynical. The Anytime Any Permitted fare (Single) has been reduced to the same price as a Southern Only fare for the duration of the blockade.

Its not the ticket office you have to be wary of, its the money exchange shops and the airlines who sell on board. I've seen those exchange shops sell Gatwick express tickets at 2.00am. The tourists buy them thinking, ok, saves some time. Will they be selling lower price ones?????????

Anyway, i think I've got all the info I now need to provide some sort of customer service today. Of course it might still change again. That landslip on the Dorking line is going to cause some issues.

 

[Dunc108]

Massive delays through Lancaster today with the gales aswell as overhead wire problems... :-/

 

[infobleep]

You are being cynical. The Anytime Any Permitted fare (Single) has been reduced to the same price as a Southern Only fare for the duration of the blockade.

That's good to hear. Well done to Southern.

 

[chris89]

Just appearing on Twitter.

Virgin Trains (@VirginTrains) tweeted at 11:05 am on Fri, Dec 27, 2013:
NEW: From 11:45am, the line between Carlisle and Preston will be blocked for 2 hours to make repairs. Replacement buses will run.
(https://twitter.com/VirginTrains/status/416525128390823937)

Fingers crossed my service should just miss it.

 

[infobleep]

Is the landslip at Ockley likely to take until next week to resolve or is it too early to say?

I was actually looking forward to travelling next Monday via Dorking on my way to work. Be a shame if the weather puts pay to that diversion. There is still East Grinstead of course, which I've never done either.

Interestingly the replacement buses to Reigate don't add much time onto the journey time between Guildford and Haywards Heath. Just shows how much official waiting around time there is at Gatwick on a normal day when travelling.

 

[ushawk]

How would someone get from London to Horsham, given that both lines are now out of action?

Buses Horsham - Dorking might be your best bet considering the Three Bridges route is very busy.

 

[al78]

Buses Horsham - Dorking might be your best bet considering the Three Bridges route is very busy.

I'm thinking about next Wednesday, in case the Ockley line is not re-opened.

If i can get a train as far as Dorking, then in the worst case scenario I am a feasible cycling distance from Horsham if for some reason there are no buses either.

A bit unlucky to have both lines knocked out simultaneously.

 

[ushawk]

I'm thinking about next Wednesday, in case the Ockley line is not re-opened.

If i can get a train as far as Dorking, then in the worst case scenario I am a feasible cycling distance from Horsham if for some reason there are no buses either.

A bit unlucky to have both lines knocked out simultaneously.

The mainline is out for planned works, but yes it's unfortunate.

The line will be closed next Wednesday too via Sloats Nest - so bus via Dorking may well be best again.

 

[LBSCR Times]

Is the landslip at Ockley likely to take until next week to resolve or is it too early to say?

Possible Up line will be blocked for up to three weeks....
At present, due to the current engineering works, NR don't have the resources to set up SLW over the Down line, but this may change after Sunday, when the mainline engineering works change.

 

[chris89]

Just got into Penrith. Although hour late. Good news. No more temp speed limit though

 

[Dunc108]

Just got into Penrith. Although hour late. Good news. No more temp speed limit though

Yes just checked live departures - they must have been crawling over Shap those Pendolinos! The only services leaving Lancaster anywhere near to time were Leeds services & maybe the Morecambe shuttles.. but even they could have been variable depending on time of day.

 

[chris89]

Got into Waverley over 2hrs late. Had to change at Carlisle due to no electrics going further. So a completely packed double voyager. Also track circuit and signal failures at Carlisle.

Massive well done to the VT staff though. Will send a postive note, after this last journey to Armadale.

Also was very strange going over Snap at 50 in a pendo

 

[embers25]

So SWT emergency Portsmouth Line timetable didn't exactly work too well today and also was VERY badly thought out, even for a last minute job common sense should have been used.

Of the few trains that did run through from Waterloo to Haslemere (should have been hourly) NONE have arrived before the 20 past departure of the bus! Most being much much later. Also did they retime the Petersfield to Pompey connection...no meaning a 30 min wait. Also Northbound bus conveniently left Petersfield 3 minutes before the Railbus connection on the 37 arrived from Havant!!

On the diverted services SWT used common sense and had them call at Winchester, Fareham and Hilsea but for some reason the down ones were timed right behind the Weymouth trains yet had to wait an extra 10 mins at Winchester and then also were timed on the departure boards at 27 past from Fareham meaning additional waits there for no reason. These combined meant they missed the connection back to Havant from both Hilsea and Fratton.

Going back to London for some absolutely insane reason they were timed to leave at 03 right behind the 59 all stations to Basingstoke meaning a very slow run. This also meant they didn't connect with the ferries to/from IOW. To make it worst numerous ones were cancelled due to crew issues. Surely they could have saved crew somehow, given this stupid timetable, by joining the 59 and 03 together as far as Basingstoke.

I caught the 1359 back as the 1403 was delayed (like most others) and the guard was telling everyone for London to change at Basingstoke. Given all London trains came from Winchester today why not have them change there for a same platform change. In the case of our train we were let out in front of the delayed London train at Eastleigh and so I advised my whole coach to change at Winchester which they did. Unfortunately for the rest of the train they stayed on till Basingstoke and were sat outside waiting for a platform as we sailed past them meaning they had a platform change and an unnecessary 45 min delay.

I know they were trying circumstances but it was very poorly thought out and seems the same disaster is planned for tomorrow.

Also Woking staff both on arrival and departure were just standing around talking not helping and offering incorrect advice to passengers and also not dispatching any trains from Plat 5 this morning meaning even more delays.

 

[455driver]

Are you saying the buses actually left before the trains arrived or are you just saying they were timed like that but dont actually know if they waited for the trains or not?

Every time I have been involved in these things (not very many I admit) the buses either waited for the trains (and passengers) to arrive, despite what the timetable stated, or if a bus was full it was sent on its way and another bus moved up.

 

[user15681]

For those asking for the images of the landslips in the South.

The one at Ockley. (@Networkrail)

The one between Petersfield and Haslemere. (@Networkrail)

One at Redhill. (Sky News)

 

[DJL]

Fixing that looks like a complicated and time consuming job!

 

[VauxhallandI]

GLC - EUS 15:40 (1st with reservation)

This was cancelled ten mins before it was due to leave so it must have found a new Bermuda Triangle somewhere in North Lanarkshire.

Queued up at GLC from 15:30 till 18:15

Eventually left at 18:30 on the 17:40

Was promised by several that reservations had been cancelled but the tannoy has not said anything and my seat has someone getting on at Oxenholme.

Long day and it is touch and go I will get home as we have been delayed more.

 

[jnjkerbin]

Had to travel from Axminster to Dunton Green today. The 1206 was 18 late leaving because of getting held up at Pinhoe by another service. The train was then held at Gillingham for about 10 minutes to wait for a path and Basingstoke was reached about 30 late, missing the London connection. Next London train was the 1439 which left at 1500 and was held up a few times including at Surbiton due to a tresspass incident and at Clapham Junction due to half the train deciding to alight through the rear door of the 5th coach. Reached Waterloo East about 1615 but only a very limited metro service was running. Fortunately, the 1639 was running normally and arrived at Dunton Green only 7 late after the platform staff at London Bridge decided to have an argument with the driver about the fact that they thought our train was a Dartford service. Overall only 1h7m late home so not at all bad

 

[1e10]

1V50 0741 Newcastle to Birmingham New Street - This service was cancelled between Birmingham New Street and Plymouth due to temporary speed restrictions as a result of heat (X4).

HEAT?!

 

[embers25]

Are you saying the buses actually left before the trains arrived or are you just saying they were timed like that but don't actually know if they waited for the trains or not?

Every time I have been involved in these things (not very many I admit) the buses either waited for the trains (and passengers) to arrive, despite what the timetable stated, or if a bus was full it was sent on its way and another bus moved up.

I agree they normally wait "within reason" but with many of the trains canx or 40+ mins late they didn't wait for those as they connected with the slows too.

Hopefully tomorrow will be smoother as today was shambolic at best on all SWT long distance routes (though obviously there were trying circumstances). On the train from Winchester to Woking the on train screens still showed the train running non-stop so at both Basingstoke and Farnboro people got up expecting Woking. A few announcements would have been helpful. Also the amended timetables online have Winchester to Woking being done in 10 minutes on the diverted trains...Don't get me wrong,SWT have been doing much better during disruption recently but today was a shambles.

 

[swt_passenger]

Also the amended timetables online have Winchester to Woking being done in 10 minutes on the diverted trains...

I can't find them on the site at the moment, do you have a link please?

 

[ushawk]

1V50 0741 Newcastle to Birmingham New Street - This service was cancelled between Birmingham New Street and Plymouth due to temporary speed restrictions as a result of heat (X4).

HEAT?!

Someone put the wrong code in methinks !!

The bank slip North of Redhill looks like it will take time to fix too, good thing they have time to fix it during the current closure.

 

[bigdelboy]

What amazes me given the only way from the south coast seems to london by train seems to be via southampton or hastings; given the lives seem to be cut arround liphook, mole valley and gatwick all at the same time is:-

1) The national service disruptions indicator at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/indicator.aspx currently and I believe all day has indicated: "MINOR:roll: delays on some routes" for SWT and Southern. If this situation is minor, what is major?

2) The planned engineering work of christmas/new year may have made things worse ... under the circumstances I wonder if thought was given to diverting that resource to fixing the landslides .... ( of course that has implications and it may not be at efficient and effective reallocation of resource ).

I overall glad I do not have to travel at the moment! ... but have empathy for those who are or are trying to! ( and for poor railway staff as well!).

 

[island]

Southeastern was disastrous today. Platform 2 at Lewisham (down Lee/Grove Park/Ladywell) was randomly closed for several hours and trains used the avoiding line. London Bridge was playing train and platform bingo, announcing trains and shortly afterwards declaring them delayed. Platform 5 started holding up Charing Cross services from time to time, stopping the FCC East Croydon services from getting in. I can't figure out whether I have a viable Delay-Repay claim but would probably only get £1.30 anyhow.

 

[embers25]

I can't find them on the site at the moment, do you have a link please?

Sorry meant the updated/amended live departure boards and online journey planners. Or also the totally useless SWT Journey Check which for example has Ports Hbr 2003, Fareham 2030 (should be 2036 according to the departure boards there), Winchester 2107 (all fine) and then Woking 2116 (High Speed 3 perhaps!)!!! Really helpful, not! The other way is the same.

 

[matthewmacleod]

GLC - EUS 15:40 (1st with reservation)

Long day and it is touch and go I will get home as we have been delayed more.

I'd say "hang in there," but I've just noticed that your train appears as "cancelled" after Preston, which it apparently left an hour ago!

Any information on what's happening? I'm an hour or so behind you on the 18:40 ex GLC, which departed around 19:10, and has just this minute arrived into Preston, where rather a number of disgruntled passengers have boarded. I literally had this carriage to myself when departing GLC, and it's now full.