WCML Disruption (07/11)

[thenorthern]

By the looks of it there is quite a bit of disruption on the West Coast Mainline today with flooding at Carlisle and signalling problems in the Milton Keynes area with many delays and cancellations.

Does anyone know where abouts the locations are and what is happening with it all.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Yesterday there was a broken rail at Kings Langley delaying me by an hour. Today there was a signalling failure at Kings Langley and a points failure at Berkhamsted, together with a broken down train further north, delaying me by an hour. Information? Don't make me laugh.

Now they're saying the Tring stoppers are being replaced by a rail replacement bus service, although helpfully JourneyCheck on one side says we have RRBs but on the train running panel says everything is running fine.

It's abundantly clear that London Midland are happy to take our money from stations like Apsley, but that they and the incompetent Network Rail couldn't give a monkey's about running the train service we've paid for. Sticking on an RRB for us is an absolute disgrace, but hey, we can't possibly have Beardy Rail inconvenienced can we?

 

[thenorthern]

I was on a Euston train at Manchester Piccadilly and I heard a phrase that I hadn't heard in years "We don't currently have a driver"

Luckily they managed to get one and we departed on time.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

It's abundantly clear that London Midland are happy to take our money from stations like Apsley, but that they and the incompetent Network Rail couldn't give a monkey's about running the train service we've paid for. Sticking on an RRB for us is an absolute disgrace, but hey, we can't possibly have Beardy Rail inconvenienced can we?

I'm not defending the matter, but I thought most main lines had contingencies like that when things go to the wall - I believe on the SWML the Hampton Courts are the first services to be cancelled, on the ECML it's one of the hourly Leeds and on the WCML it's the Tring stoppers?

 

[HarleyDavidson]

I'm not defending the matter, but I thought most main lines had contingencies like that when things go to the wall - I believe on the SWML the Hampton Courts are the first services to be cancelled, on the ECML it's one of the hourly Leeds and on the WCML it's the Tring stoppers?

Hampton Courts, followed by Dorking & Shepperton's. The result is that Cobham's have to pick up the whingers at Raynes Park, New Malden & Berrylands, just to give them a 15' service. Yet making a darn slow journey even slower.

Berrylands I can understand.

Raynes Park - Unnecessary as it will still be served by Loopers, Cheesington & Guildford (Ep) services.

New Malden - Unnecessary as will still be served by Loopers & in times of disruption ½ hourly is quite adequate, especially as you can use an Oyster card on the buses around the area from Surbiton, Tolworth or even Wimbledon.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Oh I don't have an issue with the Tring stoppers being binned at all, that makes sense when the service is up the spout.

But Apsley and Kings Langley always get forgotten about, it seems beyond the wit of London Midland to issue consistent stop orders on other services when it happens. If it happens at all it's on the hoof rather than properly thought out. Running RRBs when proper trains are going through the station is ridiculous.

 

[gordonthemoron]

why is NationalRail still referring to a broken down train? It was broken down before 9am, haven't they shifted it yet? Also, the now estimated time for normal service is 16:00, is this realistic?

 

[Kristofferson]

Is this the "upgraded" Watford/Bushey signalling sitting down and giving up again? It's getting tiresome now.

 

[MK Tom]

Breakdown south of Northampton causing cancellations according to the Northampton Chronicle.

 

[GadgetMan]

Is this the "upgraded" Watford/Bushey signalling sitting down and giving up again? It's getting tiresome now.

Its not been upgraded yet!

Due to the opposition against the 2 week blockade the work is now being done in dribs and drabs overnight.

 

[itsonlyme]

All I can do is just sit and laugh. Day in Day out excuse after excuse. Glad I'm retired and at home most of the time. Heads should roll but that won't happen, the only thing that will roll is bonus's in an upwards direction!

The one job that is well filled is that of Chief Incompetent.

 

[whhistle]

Just to confirm the order of events:

1: Points problem (Bourne End) - trains only able to run north on Down Slow.
2: Signal 3150 on up fast starts playing up - trains talking past.
3: Broken down train just after Bourne End, delaying services by an hour. Trains unable to cross over Bourne End due to points failure.
4: Euston departures suspended for about 30/45 mins.
5: Trains stacked at Milton Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton.

All lead to many, many delay minutes.

 

[nottinghamcity]

Crosscountry north - east / south west services badly disrupted too - apparently train hitting object at swinton. Some stopping short at bhm & dby, others seems to be going via Leeds

 

[thenorthern]

And the flooding at Carlisle, its been quite a day for Virgin Trains.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Is this the "upgraded" Watford/Bushey signalling sitting down and giving up again? It's getting tiresome now.

Yes, it's had another paddy this evening too.

I don't know what Network Rail did to the signals (I know the work isn't fully completed) but I wish they hadn't bothered.

 

[DarloRich]

Yes, it's had another paddy this evening too.

I don't know what Network Rail did to the signals (I know the work isn't fully completed) but I wish they hadn't bothered.

But with respect, people just like you (commuters into Euston and the TOCS) didn't want a long blockade to get the work done in one go. Cake and eat it?

 

[Tetchytyke]

The problem isn't that the work is being done at a more leisurely pace, the problem is that the work is being done incompetently. I genuinely believe that the project manager for this should be getting their P45, the train hitting the signalling cabinet sums their competence up perfectly.

 

[DarloRich]

The problem isn't that the work is being done at a more leisurely pace, the problem is that the work is being done incompetently. I genuinely believe that the project manager for this should be getting their P45, the train hitting the signalling cabinet sums their competence up perfectly.

Whilst i am sure you know best others might disagree.

BTW what industry do you work in? I would be interested so, with no real idea about the challenges faced in your daily work i can come on the internet and castigate you and your competency. Please let me know.

 

[Tetchytyke]

If the work had been done properly it would work. As it is, London Midland may as well permanently stick "delays due to signalling failures in the Bushey area" on their website. It's pathetic and it's getting tiresome.

I suppose yesterday's broken rail at Kings Langley was an interesting change from the usual, although it doesn't make me think Network Rail are any more competent.

 

[DarloRich]

If the work had been done properly it would work. As it is, London Midland may as well permanently stick "delays due to signalling failures in the Bushey area" on their website.

I suppose yesterday's broken rail at Kings Langley was an interesting change from the usual.

Interesting you dont want to let me know what you do for a living. Seems ok for you to throw wild accusations around but not accept any your self.

Also you seem certain that the recent work done at Watford was responsible for the problerms today.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Just to confirm the order of events:

1: Points problem (Bourne End) - trains only able to run north on Down Slow.
2: Signal 3150 on up fast starts playing up - trains talking past.
3: Broken down train just after Bourne End, delaying services by an hour. Trains unable to cross over Bourne End due to points failure.
4: Euston departures suspended for about 30/45 mins.
5: Trains stacked at Milton Keynes, Rugby, Nuneaton.

All lead to many, many delay minutes.

Nothing to do with the Watford work then.
This is the "off the shelf" kit that should be fully bedded in and reliable.

 

[GatwickDepress]

When it rains it pours, eh?

I imagine the delay minutes must be quite a bit.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Nothing to do with the Watford work then.
This is the "off the shelf" kit that should be fully bedded in and reliable.

You cannot expect the cheap crap that they install on the network to be reliable. The British want excellent reliability & resilience, but aren't prepared to pay for it, so buy cheap and you get this sort of cr4p.

 

[carriageline]

But is it actually new kit? I understand Watford box is mostly SSI anyway, and most of the work thus far has been Pway, removing some points and OHL work. Therefore nothing should be being added. Normally the work would be done when it's being resignalled, as the two control systems are often different.

Although in this case, both WEmbley mainline and Watford are both solid state interlockings, therefore it will just be a recontrol when it goes to wembley. So it's a possibility things have been put in, and signed into use at Watford as it uses the same control as Wembley.


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[Kristofferson]

Deary me, it hit a signalling cabinet?

I'm starting to think the blockade would have been better!

 

[carriageline]

To be honest, even if it was a long blockage the same could of happened then.


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[LNW-GW Joint]

You cannot expect the cheap crap that they install on the network to be reliable. The British want excellent reliability & resilience, but aren't prepared to pay for it, so buy cheap and you get this sort of cr4p.

It was so cheap it only cost £8 billion. :cry:
Seriously, I thought the Rugby SSC work was quality stuff to the best spec, and had the best NR brains on it.
If not, why not?

 

[455driver]

And the flooding at Carlisle, its been quite a day for Virgin Trains.

Dont worry about them, they will be compensated by Network Rail so will be laughing all the way to the bank!

 

[harz99]

And the flooding at Carlisle, its been quite a day for Virgin Trains.

It was north of Lockerbie. When I walked past LOC station at 0950 there was a northbound 185 sitting in the platform that was still there at 1030. It affected both lines and caused delays of 60+ minutes to several services.

 

[455driver]

If the work had been done properly it would work. As it is, London Midland may as well permanently stick "delays due to signalling failures in the Bushey area" on their website. It's pathetic and it's getting tiresome.

I suppose yesterday's broken rail at Kings Langley was an interesting change from the usual, although it doesn't make me think Network Rail are any more competent.

If the work could have be done from start to finish in one go then it would work (probably), but because you lot didnt want a blockade it is being done bit by bit, new bits are being cobbled onto the old stuff, next week that old stuff will be replaced with new stuff with the tie-in being further along, the week after that bit will be replaced with new etc etc.

If it could have been done in one hit then there would have been a lot less connections, it could have been properly tested and would have been handed back complete!

Would you take your car in for half a repair and then back the following week for the rest to be done?
No!
Why not?