Weather related disruption - Christmas 2013 and New Year 2014

[D1009]

Severely reduced passenger service between Didcot Parkway and Oxford today, only an FGW half hourly all stations shuttle service as well as freight running through. The floodwater from the Thames near Hinksey was to the top of the rail on the main lines, it must have been very close to a total closure. Trains were going at 5 mph through it.

 

[Captain Chaos]

Severely reduced passenger service between Didcot Parkway and Oxford today, only an FGW half hourly all stations shuttle service as well as freight running through. The floodwater from the Thames near Hinksey was to the top of the rail on the main lines, it must have been very close to a total closure. Trains were going at 5 mph through it.

It's about as close as you can probably get. Not really a line you want to see closed. It doesn't look like the situation is going to improve for the next few days either so I hear.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Very serious and prudent then - there is a classic shot of a GWR loco (broad gauge no less) - struggling through floodwater there in / before 1891. Few years ago - when there was local flooding in Oxford - some local staff organised getting the berthed 165's etc out of the sidings and to a higher and drier place.

 

[tsr]

FGW passengers for trains via Oxford have been advised to use the Chiltern route, but this is disrupted due to a failed freight train between Banbury & Leamington Spa.

 

[D1009]

From RTT the Didcot-Oxford shuttle service is still running, but during the peak it will have difficulty coping with the numbers, and it's in the lap of the Gods how long they can carry on running it.

 

[Wildrover]

Left Andover heading for Birmingham at 16.38, via Basingstoke Reading Didcot Oxford and Banbury. FGW and Chiltern have got me through and free wifi from Banbury on Chiltern, where is Cross Country and not a word of explanation from them, hope to reach Birmingham by 21.10, so a long night, and about 2 hours late.

 

[Goatboy]

Left Andover heading for Birmingham at 16.38, via Basingstoke Reading Didcot Oxford and Banbury. FGW and Chiltern have got me through and free wifi from Banbury on Chiltern, where is Cross Country and not a word of explanation from them, hope to reach Birmingham by 21.10, so a long night, and about 2 hours late.

I have noticed that whenever this sort of stuff happens XC appear to just vanish into the woodwork whereas FGW etc can be visibly seen warning people, providing detailed information and just generally doing the best they can.

I'm sure XC don't just give up and go home but this is certainly the impression I tend to get..

 

[455driver]

I know that the maintenance teams are under pressure at present....but severe flogging..hock:

Sounds like a return to the days of Nelson and the navy...:roll:

But you have to keep on top of the situation, I did hear a rumour that a platelayer actually wanted a day off! hock:
A severe flogging soon taught him the error of his ways!

On a serious note, I would like to thank the efforts that the MOMs, maintenance teams, S&T* etc have put into trying to keep the trains rolling over the last few weeks, at times they must feel like they are flogging a dead horse.

* apologies if I have missed any groups out.

 

[D1009]

On a serious note, I would like to thank the efforts that the MOMs, maintenance teams, S&T* etc have put into trying to keep the trains rolling over the last few weeks, at times they must feel like they are flogging a dead horse.

Totally agree with that.

 

[455driver]

I have noticed that whenever this sort of stuff happens XC appear to just vanish into the woodwork whereas FGW etc can be visibly seen warning people, providing detailed information and just generally doing the best they can.

I'm sure XC don't just give up and go home but this is certainly the impression I tend to get..

The fact XC dont manage any stations and so dont have any* platform staff might have something to do with it!

* Possibly a few at Birmingham New Street but certainly not the numbers of other TOCs.

 

[D1009]

I have noticed that whenever this sort of stuff happens XC appear to just vanish into the woodwork whereas FGW etc can be visibly seen warning people, providing detailed information and just generally doing the best they can.

I'm sure XC don't just give up and go home but this is certainly the impression I tend to get..

True, XC concentrate on their core network, the routes they run half hourly services on and expect TOCs at the extremities of that network to convey their passengers.

 

[edwin_m]

Severely reduced passenger service between Didcot Parkway and Oxford today, only an FGW half hourly all stations shuttle service as well as freight running through. The floodwater from the Thames near Hinksey was to the top of the rail on the main lines, it must have been very close to a total closure. Trains were going at 5 mph through it.

I think that section of track was going to be raised - has this been done?

 

[user15681]

Seems like a pretty large landslip at Bexleyheath this evening, down lines blocked and delays on the up. No trains down until end of service.

 

[ModernRailways]

The fact XC dont manage any stations and so dont have any* platform staff might have something to do with it!

* Possibly a few at Birmingham New Street but certainly not the numbers of other TOCs.

When XC goes up the wall - not very much considering the length of the country they travel - other TOCs always seem to accept tickets.

They don't seem to have good communication, but as you say it's difficult if all you have is on-board staff with none (very few) on platforms.

I also imagine because of the length of their network which overlaps many other networks it would be difficult to actually give out any information.

 

[island]

Seems like a pretty large landslip at Bexleyheath this evening, down lines blocked and delays on the up. No trains down until end of service.

Up service has been mostly restored this morning but no down trains still.

 

[swt_passenger]

True, XC concentrate on their core network, the routes they run half hourly services on and expect TOCs at the extremities of that network to convey their passengers.

Up to a point. Recent planned closures in the Reading area have still had a Bournemouth - Basingstoke XC shuttle service running, even though the main diversionary route has been a coach from Winchester to Oxford. The upcoming blockade at Whiteball Tunnel has an isolated XC service running between Exeter and points further west.

In my experience the current XC management are more likely to run trains when they can, I don't recall Virgin ever running a service as far as Eastleigh when Southampton was closed, for instance.

I think what might be happening with short notice incidents such as this flooding south of Oxford is that Network Rail tell them to stop their services at BHM to reduce traffic in the area generally.

 

[D1009]

I think that section of track was going to be raised - has this been done?

Not that I'm aware of, there's a photograph of the scene on page 9 of today's Metro.
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Up to a point. Recent planned closures in the Reading area have still had a Bournemouth - Basingstoke XC shuttle service running, even though the main diversionary route has been a coach from Winchester to Oxford. The upcoming blockade at Whiteball Tunnel has an isolated XC service running between Exeter and points further west.

In my experience the current XC management are more likely to run trains when they can, I don't recall Virgin ever running a service as far as Eastleigh when Southampton was closed, for instance.

I think what might be happening with short notice incidents such as this flooding south of Oxford is that Network Rail tell them to stop their services at BHM to reduce traffic in the area generally.

Yes I'm sure that is what happened yesterday, NR decided there was only room for 2 trains per hour, so it was decided the best option was an all stations shuttle. I was thinking more of last Friday when there were severe difficulties in the Totnes area which resulted in a very much reduced service betwen Bristol and Exeter. That is annoying for passengers when the problems are so far away, but I can understand it, particularly when you think how well Voyagers cope with excess water.

 

[83G/84D]

But you have to keep on top of the situation, I did hear a rumour that a platelayer actually wanted a day off! hock:
A severe flogging soon taught him the error of his ways!

On a serious note, I would like to thank the efforts that the MOMs, maintenance teams, S&T* etc have put into trying to keep the trains rolling over the last few weeks, at times they must feel like they are flogging a dead horse.

* apologies if I have missed any groups out.

Agreed, a lot of staff working extra hours, long shifts for days or nights at a time to trying to get things back to normal. As with the power companies / Environment Agency / Airport staff the rail companies are an easy target when there is flooding or other weather related disruption.

Perhaps a visit by the media, politicians etc to control centres would make them realise that all is being done that can be, with the resources and money available.

 

[Chrisgr31]

Agreed, a lot of staff working extra hours, long shifts for days or nights at a time to trying to get things back to normal. As with the power companies / Environment Agency / Airport staff the rail companies are an easy target when there is flooding or other weather related disruption.

Perhaps a visit by the media, politicians etc to control centres would make them realise that all is being done that can be, with the resources and money available.

Agreed

As I posted elsewhere these days everyone wants everything as cheap as possible. The outcome is resources pared to the bone and no one spar, also of course everyone wants time off over Christmas (and of course half of those complaining wouldn't have been where they were if it wasn't Christmas).

So as a result there is no spare staff, money etc to throw at unexpected problems and therefore chaos ensues.

I actually think the chaos is less than it would have been at these events happened 5 or 10 years ago, but also of course everyones expectations for solutions is higher as well, and its easy to blame the TOCs and Network Rail for the problems forgetting that passengers want cheaper fares and the government wants to give less subsidy. We can't have it all ways.

 

[user15681]

Up service has been mostly restored this morning but no down trains still.

I believe the down service was restored for the start of service, but around 0730 a landslip at Barnehurst blocked the lines again. No down service now via Bexleyheath until end of service. Up line still running. When I get to a computer I can provide pictures.

UPDATE: Picture of the landslip at Barnehurst

 

[infobleep]

Agreed, a lot of staff working extra hours, long shifts for days or nights at a time to trying to get things back to normal. As with the power companies / Environment Agency / Airport staff the rail companies are an easy target when there is flooding or other weather related disruption.

Perhaps a visit by the media, politicians etc to control centres would make them realise that all is being done that can be, with the resources and money available.

I wouldn't mind having a look around a control centre to see what they do. I think a lot of other commuters would also find it interesting.
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Agreed

As I posted elsewhere these days everyone wants everything as cheap as possible. The outcome is resources pared to the bone and no one spar, also of course everyone wants time off over Christmas (and of course half of those complaining wouldn't have been where they were if it wasn't Christmas).

So as a result there is no spare staff, money etc to throw at unexpected problems and therefore chaos ensues.

I actually think the chaos is less than it would have been at these events happened 5 or 10 years ago, but also of course everyones expectations for solutions is higher as well, and its easy to blame the TOCs and Network Rail for the problems forgetting that passengers want cheaper fares and the government wants to give less subsidy. We can't have it all ways.

Is it the fault of voters that we have a government who wants to give less subsidy.

The other day there was a TSSA leaflet being handed out at Surbiton station about high fares. Whilst I think having such a debate is good, unfortunately it was just some political campaign in favor of Labour, which spotlit it all. I wouldn't want to belong to a that is politised. Far rather have one that represents me and my colleagues what is best for us.

May be TSSA does that. Unfortunately they commented that under Tories fares have risen 55% since 2008. Now Well in 2008-early 2010 Labour was in power. Don't they proof read this rubbish.

I'm not saying I'm in favor of the Tories and they are perfect. I just want meaningful information to be given out.

Back to the weather, it was nice for SWT that the recent heavy rain didn't happen as originally predicted. Gave them a deserved break.

 

[swt_passenger]

So as a result there is no spare staff, money etc to throw at unexpected problems and therefore chaos ensues.

I doubt any of the utility companies are 'manned' on the basis of coping with the worst case scenarios for weather related damage. Whenever these events take place you hear of assistance being drafted in from other areas, but I'd have assumed it is all done pretty much on a voluntary basis?

I wonder if there's anyone who can speak from experience of one of the utility industries - they must have emergency plans of some sort, presumably routine maintenance and new installations get put on the back burner?

 

[PHILIPE]

I understand that the sea wall at Pembrey has been repaired but damage has been discovered at Ferryside and being attended to. According to ATW Website, the line is likely to be closed between Llanelli and Carmarthen until next Wednesday, 16th.
The units stranded at Carmarthen and working the branches, are 2x150 and 3x175s which I assume are being fuelled by road tanker. Seems no option to postponing routine Maintenance Exams.

 

[Flamingo]

Is it the fault of voters that we have a government who wants to give less subsidy.

Eh... Yes!

(Who else can you blame for electing a government?)

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Eh... Yes!

(Who else can you blame for electing a government?)

Indeed, a chicken and egg scenario to consider.

 

[edwin_m]

I wouldn't mind having a look around a control centre to see what they do. I think a lot of other commuters would also find it interesting.

Unfortunately that could be counter-productive.

If it's a quiet day then things will be very relaxed and the visitor reaction will be "these guys don't do anything", "overpaid so-and-sos" yadda yadda. But if there's a panic on and they are really earning their money they probably won't let visitors in.

 

[ModernRailways]

Unfortunately that could be counter-productive.

If it's a quiet day then things will be very relaxed and the visitor reaction will be "these guys don't do anything", "overpaid so-and-sos" yadda yadda. But if there's a panic on and they are really earning their money they probably won't let visitors in.

One way of possibly doing it is by setting up something with Simsig running. Real signallers would use it and show just how difficult it could be. A lot of commuters though still wouldn't care a less regardless.

 

[transmanche]

A lot of commuters though still wouldn't care a less regardless.

No, and one can argue why should they?

They pay for a service. Just because providing that service is sometimes 'a bit tricky', doesn't make it their concern.

 

[Captain Chaos]

No, and one can argue why should they?

They pay for a service. Just because providing that service is sometimes 'a bit tricky', doesn't make it their concern.

Perhaps. But maybe an understanding of the challenges faced may make them more understanding when things do go wrong which could be beneficial for all parties concerned? I think a lot of complaints do arise because of a failure to understand the problem and the reason certain solutions are implemented. It could be argued that TOC's are at fault for not making information clearer. But how far do you go in making things clearer without appearing to be treating passengers as children? The balance is tricky.

 

[Chrisgr31]

I doubt any of the utility companies are 'manned' on the basis of coping with the worst case scenarios for weather related damage. Whenever these events take place you hear of assistance being drafted in from other areas, but I'd have assumed it is all done pretty much on a voluntary basis?

I wonder if there's anyone who can speak from experience of one of the utility industries - they must have emergency plans of some sort, presumably routine maintenance and new installations get put on the back burner?

I suspect that their staff have been cut since the utilities were privatised all those years ago, although I think you are right they do draft in staff from other locations to help.
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Is it the fault of voters that we have a government who wants to give less subsidy.

Well most of us would like to pay less taxes, and certainly don't want to pay more! Whether our voting reflects that is a different question of course!
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Southern have tweeted a couple of photos of the temporary road built at Ockley


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