Weather related disruption - Christmas 2013 and New Year 2014

[swt_passenger]

Photo of the Botley 'landslip' on SWT's website, it seems it's more like an embankment failure to me:

I reckon that site is about a mile south of Botley station, given the curvature of the track and what looks like water just visible on the left of the picture. I think it is a tributary of the River Hamble that you cross on the road next to the Horse and Jockey pub, for those who know the area. There might even be a culvert under the track if I have the right place: http://goo.gl/maps/q2An6

 

[Matt Taylor]

Update at 2040, realtime trains shows the 0030s during the week cancelled[/B] throughout.... as I'd expected.

That's interesting as the unit (158) and crew (Fratton) all need to get back to Fratton. Presumably this means that the 1649 Portsmouth to Eastleigh is also cancelled all week as the unit that works that service sits at Eastleigh for a few hours to return as the 0030.

 

[swt_passenger]

That's interesting as the unit (158) and crew (Fratton) all need to get back to Fratton. Presumably this means that the 1649 Portsmouth to Eastleigh is also cancelled all week as the unit that works that service sits at Eastleigh for a few hours to return as the 0030.

At the moment it depends where you check, NREs still shows the 1649 as running to Eastleigh, with the Botley and Hedge End calls cancelled, but 'realtimetrains' shows it cancelled throughout from the Harbour...

 

[Rapidash]

No services between EXD and NTA at the mo due to emergency track repairs, closed until end of service, with a limited bus shuttle EXD - NTA. I'm hoping it'll be back in action tomorrow!

 

[sor]

No services between EXD and NTA at the mo due to emergency track repairs, closed until end of service, with a limited bus shuttle EXD - NTA. I'm hoping it'll be back in action tomorrow!

I was on the first London bound service from Penzance, between this and the newer signalling problems in the Penzance area I think I was quite lucky to have got to Reading relatively on time.

I was half asleep but I think we spent a bit longer at Newton Abbot than anticipated. This must be why.

 

[YorkshireBear]

No services between EXD and NTA at the mo due to emergency track repairs, closed until end of service, with a limited bus shuttle EXD - NTA. I'm hoping it'll be back in action tomorrow!

FGW twitter says earliest Wednesday.

This must be the most challenging winter for a while for the rail industry, they have taken a right hammering.

 

[Zoe]

No services between EXD and NTA at the mo due to emergency track repairs, closed until end of service, with a limited bus shuttle EXD - NTA. I'm hoping it'll be back in action tomorrow!

I was at Newton Abbot earier and didn't find the replacement bus service to just be a limited shuttle. For example when an XC Voyager arrived from Plymouth staff were directing passengers into three different buses. One was for Taunton, another for Exeter and the third seemed to be for local stations between Newton Abbot and Exeter. When one bus became full another was brought in for the rest of the passengers to board. It seemed to be quite well organized and that limited.

 

[D1009]

Was it the high tide that damaged the railway, or has there been another cliff fall between Teignmouth and Dawlish?

 

[YorkshireBear]

Was it the high tide that damaged the railway, or has there been another cliff fall between Teignmouth and Dawlish?

Pictures suggest waves and high tide.

 

[user15681]

Was it the high tide that damaged the railway, or has there been another cliff fall between Teignmouth and Dawlish?

Judging by this video and these pictures, I'd suggest it was high tide and flooding.

40mph speed restriction in place from late evening on Tuesday for the SE network until Wednesday morning. Heavy rain and strong gusts of 50mph at times over Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning and during Wednesday. Expecting disruption, particularly landslips and trees, on Wednesday for most of the country.

 

[jnjkerbin]

And another landslip at Battle with SE running a very limited service this evening. Do feel sorry for the staff out on the ground.

 

[Rich McLean]

My sister said its the worse she has ever seen it at Dawlish

From FGW

The train service between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot has been suspended due to high seas and strong winds causing significant damage to the track along the Dawlish sea wall. Network Rail have started to carry out the required repairs but we do not expect the affected lines to reopen until Friday 07th February at the earlier. Road transport is operating between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot serving all stations. Ticket restrictions have been lifted for all First Great Western services from, to and within Devon and Cornwall until further notice.

Some photo's: http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Parts-Totnes-water-River-Dart-bursts-bank/story-20549321-detail/story.html

 

[user15681]

And another landslip at Battle with SE running a very limited service this evening. Do feel sorry for the staff out on the ground.

Indeed, you do have to feel for them. Praise to them though, they've done great so far to keep it open most of the time with TSRs in place and the occasional closure. Unfortunately it'll now be closed for around two weeks, with a very limited peak service.

 

[Rich McLean]

For anyone travelling between Plymouth, and Taunton Exclusive, the following should help

Bustitutions running as follows:

Plymouth - Exeter - Taunton
Exeter - Tiverton Parkway
Tiverton Parkway - Taunton
Newton Abbot - Taunton
Newton Abbot - Exeter
Newton Abbot - all stops - Exeter

Trains are running between Penzance - Newton Abbot, Exeter - London via the Mule, Taunton - London, Taunton - Bristol & The North for Mainline services.

Busses from Plymouth direct to Exeter in order to manage loading's at Newton Abbot. Good luck to anyone travelling along there this week.

 

[infobleep]

I wonder, did they ever put on the replacement buses this morning from Haslemere? I noticed that passengers at Milford and Witley had a 2 hour gap between train services.

There were train running but SWT decided not to make additional stops to pick up the passengers, as they sometimes do.

 

[Zoe]

Trains are running between St Erth - Newton Abbot

Trains were starting from St Erth earlier today but since at least this afternoon they have been running to Newton Abbot from Penzance.

 

[Rich McLean]

Trains were starting from St Erth earlier today but since at least this afternoon they have been running to Newton Abbot from Penzance.

Just amended it, but the bus situation should be correct, but subject to change

 

[Zoe]

Plymouth - Exeter - Taunton

Busses from Plymouth direct to Exeter in order to manage loading's at Newton Abbot.

Are the Plymouth to Exeter buses continueing on to Taunton after calling at Exeter or is this a separate bus? I noticed quite a few people leaving trains from Plymouth at Newton Abbot and boarding buses to Taunton which is quite suprising if a bus to Taunton is available from Plymouth without having to change at Exeter.

 

[Rich McLean]

Are the Plymouth to Exeter buses continueing on to Taunton after calling at Exeter or is this a separate bus? I noticed quite a few people leaving trains from Plymouth at Newton Abbot and boarding buses to Taunton which is quite suprising if a bus to Taunton is available from Plymouth without having to change at Exeter.

Earlier in the day, there were no coaches from Plymouth. XC then decided that it would make far more sense to run direct coaches from Plymouth to Exeter instead of from Newton Abbot, while FGW run to Newton Abbot and provide coaches from there. My sister had a direct coach from from Exeter to Plymouth.

On Checking, they are running as two separate shuttles, while FGW are running the rest from Newton Abbot, so for many passengers going to London, it may of been easier to change at Newton Abbot onto a direct train

XC are providing:
Plymouth - Exeter
Exeter - Taunton
Exeter - Tiverton Parkway
Tiv P - Taunton

FGW are providing
Newton Abbot - Exeter (fast)
Newton Abbot - Exeter (Stopping)
Newton Abbot - Taunton (fast)
Exeter - Tiverton Pkw - Taunton

The main reason for this was in order manage loadings better and limit the passenger flow at Newton Abbot

 

[Zoe]

On Checking, they are running as two separate shuttles, while FGW are running the rest from Newton Abbot, so for many passengers going to London, it may of been easier to change at Newton Abbot onto a direct train

That could explain why I saw quite a few people leaving a Voyager at Newton Abbot and tranferring to the Taunton bus. If the Plymouth buses are only running as far as Exeter (which is going to be quite a busy route) then anyone travelling from Plymouth or west to Bristol or north could still change at Newton Abbot with anyone travelling to Exeter from Plymouth using the direct bus.

 

[Rich McLean]

That could explain why I saw quite a few people leaving a Voyager at Newton Abbot and tranferring to the Taunton bus. If the Plymouth buses are only running as far as Exeter (which is going to be quite a busy route) then anyone travelling from Plymouth or west to Bristol of north could still change at Newton Abbot with anyone travelling to Exeter from Plymouth using the direct bus.

That is how I understand its working

 

[tsr]

This link should take you to another photo of the waves over the railway: http://t.co/ykHXTq5WhJ

Apparently there is damage to Dawlish Station and the Sea Wall, plus debris on the line and ballast washed out to sea.

 

[Rich McLean]

This link should take you to another photo of the waves over the railway: http://t.co/ykHXTq5WhJ

Apparently there is damage to Dawlish Station and the Sea Wall, plus debris on the line and ballast washed out to sea.

It will be a tall order to get the line open if more bad weather is forecast.

 

[fgwrich]

Great Western NRE's not looking very good tonight with damage to the sea wall around Kennaway Tunnel and the Dawlish Sea Wall, Flooding on the Newquay Branch (presumably around St Blazey?) and Weather Related Signalling Problems between Penzance and St Erth, with services are not expected to resume through Dawlish until Friday at the earliest estimate.

Major damage has been caused by the poor weather and rough seas to parts of the track between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot.

Because of this damage, trains are unable to run between these stations until emergency engineering work can be carried out in the area. It is estimated that the work needed to get trains running again will not be fully completed until the morning of Friday 7 February.

First Great Western Sleeper services between London Paddington and Penzance are cancelled until further notice.

Alternative travel options
•A limited bus replacement service is currently in operation between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot / Plymouth (more buses are being sourced)
•First Great Western and CrossCountry passengers may also use Stagecoach South West buses on reasonable routes
•First Great Western and CrossCountry have mutual ticket acceptance between Exeter St Davids and Penzance
•Journey times may be extended by up to 2 hours

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/71091.aspx

Incident created 03/02/2014 19:59 Last updated 03/02/2014 20:17 Route affected

Trains between Par and Newquay
TOC(s) affected First Great Western; Description
Flooding between Par and Newquay means that trains cannot run. Taxis are replacing trains between Par and Newquay.This is expected to continue until 11:00 Tuesday 4 February.


Twitter hashtag: #Newquay

Route affected

Trains between Penzance and St Ives / Exeter St Davids

Signalling problems caused by poor weather conditions are causing disruption near Penzance. Because of this trains may be delayed by up to 15 minutes between Penzance and St Erth.

Some footage from Andrew Wright has appeared on ITV Tonight West Country.

http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/update/2014-02-03/flooding-hits-dawlish/

 

[Captain Chaos]

The last I heard about Dawlish Station earlier today was that it had been closed due to large waves lifting up the wooden platforms. I haven't heard anything else. Will certainly need some work to it by the sounds of it.

 

[D1009]

For the last couple of weeks I've been using the replacement buses between Exeter and Taunton quite a lot, and I've been very impressed with the organisation, and I've had the impression that there has been some over provision in terms of the number of vehicles, which may explain why it seems to be going well today. Tiverton Parkway has had its own dedicated buses, which rarely get into double figures regarding passenger load, from both Taunton and Exeter rather than it being an intermediate stop on the Exeter Taunton services.

 

[Saint66]

The worrying thing is that there is even worse weather on the way Tuesday-Wednesday... Could take some time opening the line up fully.

 

[Rich McLean]

The worrying thing is that there is even worse weather on the way Tuesday-Wednesday... Could take some time opening the line up fully.

I have a feeling Network Rail may wait until after the next band of weather, and carry out damage limitation works for the time being if that is the case. Waste of time and money starting repairs and putting teams at risk. Hence why they may have changed the expected re-open date until friday

 

[YorkshireBear]

Credit where it is due. XC, FGW and NR seem on it today in the SW regarding alternatives and getting repairs organised.

 

[Cletus]

Due to the never-ending weather problems, perhaps the thread could be re-named? Or should there be a monthly weather disruption thread?