Potential Rail Disruption from Storm Angus - 20/11

[gavin]

The first named storm of the season is here 'Storm Angus' Southeastern are not expecting to run trains on most routes before 10:00am on Sunday morning

Wind gusts of 70-80 mph are possible for; West Sussex, Kent, Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, Isle of Wight

 

[Mag_seven]

When did TOCs start throwing in the towel at the threat of bad weather?

 

[najaB]

When did TOCs start throwing in the towel at the threat of bad weather?

When they realised that it makes more sense to protect day+1's service, rather than risk the safety of their staff and the travelling public trying to run a service in hazardous conditions on day 1.

 

[Antman]

When they realised that it makes more sense to protect day+1's service, rather than risk the safety of their staff and the travelling public trying to run a service in hazardous conditions on day 1.

But as far as I'm aware no bus operators are taking similar precautions!

 

[PHILIPE]

I notice for naming this years storms, the alphabet has started again going back to A for Angus.

 

[najaB]

I notice for naming this years storms, the alphabet has started again going back to A for Angus.

That is the way it has been done for tropical cyclones (hurricanes to you or me) since the mid-1950s. Every year there is a new list, in alternate years the list will start with a male or female name, and they they alternate male/female with each successive name on the list.

The 2016 Atlantic list is: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Ian, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tobias, Virginie, Walter.

They reuse the lists every six years, unless there was storm that had a particularly major impact - when that happens they retire the name. So, for example, Katia replaced Katrina in the 2011 list.

 

[D1009]

But as far as I'm aware no bus operators are taking similar precautions!

Are you trying to suggest that fallen trees pose no greater risk to trains than buses?

 

[Antman]

Are you trying to suggest that fallen trees pose no greater risk to trains than buses?

There might not be any fallen trees, how about Southeastern start off on a positive footing with something like "we hope to run a normal service subject to weather conditions"?

 

[Bald Rick]

But as far as I'm aware no bus operators are taking similar precautions!

Buses are required to drive on sight, and have this thing called steering.

 

[deltic]

Isnt it Network Rail that makes these decisions and not the TOC?

 

[dk1]

How far North are we expecting this hazardous weather? I'm on the first one through Thetford Forest tomorrow

 

[Trainfan344]

How far North are we expecting this hazardous weather? I'm on the first one through Thetford Forest tomorrow

Should be alright, just a bit wet. Worse seems to be south of London.

 

[dk1]

Should be alright, just a bit wet. Worse seems to be south of London.

Always good to hear on a long section of curved track at 90mph in dense woodland. Thanks.

 

[al78]

Buses are required to drive on sight, and have this thing called steering.

And don't travel at 90+ mph.

 

[Bald Rick]

Isnt it Network Rail that makes these decisions and not the TOC?

It can be either, but usually a joint decision.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

And don't travel at 90+ mph.

Well, not legally on a public road.

 

[al78]

Should be alright, just a bit wet. Worse seems to be south of London.

Amber weather warning out for Sussex and Kent. The worst of it will be felt by the south east, further north than London it is expected to be cold but no damaging winds. It is a small scale storm affecting a localized part of the UK, a bit like the October 1987 storm (but not as severe).
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

When did TOCs start throwing in the towel at the threat of bad weather?

I first noticed it at the end of 2013, when I was planning to travel to Manchester on the 22nd December, and windstorm Dirk was forecast to badly affect the south east with high winds and heavy rain. Thankfully I was allowed with my advance ticket to pre-empt the storm and travel the day before, and when I later saw the aftermath on the news and the related thread on here I was very glad I did.

 

[westcoaster]

My thought is that they would want to run route proving trains, after daylight to make sure there are no trees fallen across the tracks due to the high winds.

 

[dk1]

My thought is that they would want to run route proving trains, after daylight to make sure there are no trees fallen across the tracks due to the high winds.

We took a 47 to prove the route Norwich to Ely a couple of years back when GA decided not to run anything until daylight. It was extended first to Cambridge & then to my delight forward to Stansted once a route conductor was provided. Got plenty of splinters in my hands that day.

 

[Antman]

Buses are required to drive on sight, and have this thing called steering.

Probably the most pointless posting of the year?:roll:

If there are trees down then obviously nobody will expect trains, but if they're not....................!!

 

[Class 170101]

Always good to hear on a long section of curved track at 90mph in dense woodland. Thanks.

Don't break anymore 170s. AGA don't have enough as it is.

 

[J-2739]

Probably the most pointless posting of the year?:roll:

I think he's stating that buses can steer around light obstacles at a reduced speed so not stopping services completely while a train can't exactly crawl or avoid an object, can't it?

 

[dk1]

Don't break anymore 170s. AGA don't have enough as it is.

Will take good care of it. Dropped another one off at The Point today with a knackered gearbox.

 

[Sleepy]

How far North are we expecting this hazardous weather? I'm on the first one through Thetford Forest tomorrow

Additional standby buses ordered for Norwich.

 

[superkev]

Massive flood disruption (again) on the Calder valley line this aft - has Angus arrived?
K

 

[dk1]

Additional standby buses ordered for Norwich.

On the plus side that'll give me more time to enjoy a Wetherspoon breakfast & unlimited refills

 

[yorksrob]

That is the way it has been done for tropical cyclones (hurricanes to you or me) since the mid-1950s. Every year there is a new list, in alternate years the list will start with a male or female name, and they they alternate male/female with each successive name on the list.

The 2016 Atlantic list is: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Ian, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tobias, Virginie, Walter.

They reuse the lists every six years, unless there was storm that had a particularly major impact - when that happens they retire the name. So, for example, Katia replaced Katrina in the 2011 list.

'Shary' ! What the hell is Shary ? They'd have been better off going for Shaggy, of Scooby Doo/bad 90's pop fame.

 

[NorthernSpirit]

Massive flood disruption (again) on the Calder valley line this aft - has Angus arrived?
K

Probably as there's flooding at Sowerby Bridge.

 

[IKB]

Probably the most pointless posting of the year?:roll:

If there are trees down then obviously nobody will expect trains, but if they're not....................!!

Are you trolling ?

You won't know if trees are down unless (A) an inspection of the line is carried out before running any service trains or (B) run service train into a fallen tree.

Option A might entail a small delay to the commencement of trains, option B would mean a line blocked for a considerable period of time whilst damaged train/infrastructure are removed.

As for your comparison of buses trains, the obvious has already been pointed out.

 

[Antman]

Are you trolling ?

You won't know if trees are down unless (A) an inspection of the line is carried out before running any service trains or (B) run service train into a fallen tree.

Option A might entail a small delay to the commencement of trains, option B would mean a line blocked for a considerable period of time whilst damaged train/infrastructure are removed.

As for your comparison of buses trains, the obvious has already been pointed out.

Stop being so childish!

As I've already said, if trees are down nobody expects trains to run, it's just the negativity of Southeastern. Anyway lets see what transpires on the weather front.

 

[D1009]

As I've already said, if trees are down nobody expects trains to run, it's just the negativity of Southeastern. Anyway lets see what transpires on the weather front.

Can you enlighten us as to how you think the railway can find out whether trees are down without inspecting the railway before passenger trains start to run? Fallen trees are the most likely result of the severe weather forecast by the met office, so Network Rail has to respond accordingly. It's actually nothing to do with the TOCs involved, other than it is their job to warn the public.