West Coast Mainline:Severe Problems

[Phoenix]

Just got news that the TV is closed due to the wires near Colwich Junction being brought down by a Light Aircraft all traffic to be diverted Via Bescot.
Nothing more to add just yet.

 

[Coxster]

There's an article on the BBC News website timed at 13:12:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/7808254.stm

One dead in light aircraft crash

At least one person died when a light aircraft crashed near the West Coast Main Line in Staffordshire.

British Transport Police said the incident happened in Little Haywood, near Stafford, just before 1200 GMT.

The fire service said the plane crashed between two rail tracks in a field near Meadow Lane.

The crash has caused disruption on the major rail route between London Euston and Manchester Piccadilly and trains are being diverted via Stafford.

Network Rail said there was debris by the side of the track at the crash scene, which is south of Stafford close to Colwich Junction.

'Struck power line'

Three passenger trains and two freight trains were stranded when overhead power was switched off between Stafford and Rugeley.

They were being supplied with diesel and were expected to resume their journeys soon, a spokesman said.

The ambulance service said it was believed the aircraft struck overhead power lines before crashing.

The county air ambulance and several land ambulances have been sent to the scene.

 

[markusgl1]

one person dead as light aircraft crashes on the line near Stafford

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/7808254.stm

 

[ChrisMcFall]

Yeah i heard. Bit of a pain as i had plans to go to Crewe tomorrow.
Anyone reccomend a better route, COV>CRE?

 

[Coronation 229.]

All Virgin Trains are running via the Midlands and are up to an hour late.

 

[90019]

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=21146

 

[ChrisMcFall]

Yeah..Heard it on the news...
Can anyone tell me the best way i could travel Cov>Crewe tomorrrow?

 

[D306]

Yeah..Heard it on the news...
Can anyone tell me the best way i could travel Cov>Crewe tomorrrow?

Train to BHM, from BHM get a train to Wolverhampton then change at Wolverhampton for a service to Crewe. I think you can also get a train from BHM to Crewe anyway

 

[Golden Gripper]

Yeah i heard. Bit of a pain as i had plans to go to Crewe tomorrow.
Anyone reccomend a better route, COV>CRE?

Coventry to New Street; New Street to Shrewsbury; Shrewsbury to Crewe.

The story I heard was that the plane crashed near the line, bringing down some overhead. There'e a probibility tomorrow that two of the four lines may be open giving a restricted service.

I would also have thought that many of the trains could have been diverted over Kidsgrove - Crewe line. Notice at the moment that some of the trains from Crewe to Liverpool are cancelled.

 

[Golden Gripper]

Ignore what I said on the other thread, you should be OK. When I first read it I thought it was north of Stafford.

This is what National Rail Enquiries are saying:

"Last updated 02/01/2009 14:44
Route Affected

London Euston, Northampton, Rugby, Rugeley Trent Valley, Stafford, Stoke-on-Trent & Crewe; also London Euston, Watford Junction, Milton Keynes Central, Rugby, Nuneaton, Rugeley Trent Valley, Stafford & Crewe / Holyhead / Manchester Piccadilly / Liverpool Lime Street / Preston / Carlisle

TOC(s) Affected London Midland, Virgin Trains
Description

Because of emergency services dealing with an incident near Rugeley Trent Valley, journeys may be delayed by up to 60 minutes.

This disruption is expected to continue for the rest of today (Friday).

London Midland

A replacement bus service will run between Rugby and Stafford via Rugeley Trent Valley calling at all stations, and also between Wolverhampton and Crewe calling at all stations. Journey times will be extended by up to 60 minutes.

Virgin Trains

Trains are being diverted via Coventry and will not call at stations between Nuneaton and Stafford. Customers are advised not to travel, or to consider using alternative routes, which will be accepting Virgin Trains customers. Virgin Trains tickets dated for today, Friday 2nd January, will be valid on Saturday 3rd January."

I don't understand the buses between Wolverhampton and Crewe. Perhaps the VHF has knocked everything else off Bushbury - Stafford.

 

[ChrisMcFall]

Train to BHM, from BHM get a train to Wolverhampton then change at Wolverhampton for a service to Crewe. I think you can also get a train from BHM to Crewe anyway

Thatd be an ATW i think?

Train to BHM, from BHM get a train to Wolverhampton then change at Wolverhampton for a service to Crewe. I think you can also get a train from BHM to Crewe anyway

And i'll assume i'll have no problems doing it on a COV>CRE return?

 

[Skie]

Three passenger trains and two freight trains were stranded when overhead power was switched off between Stafford and Rugeley.

They were being supplied with diesel and were expected to resume their journeys soon, a spokesman said.

That must be some diesel to be able to get OHLE trains moving :roll:

 

[TDK]

Yeah i heard. Bit of a pain as i had plans to go to Crewe tomorrow.
Anyone reccomend a better route, COV>CRE?

A bit of a pain for the families of the deceased in the plane,a lot more of a pain than you getting to Crewe. Sorry but I felt your post was a bit self centred.

 

[GB]

Yeah i heard. Bit of a pain as i had plans to go to Crewe tomorrow.
Anyone reccomend a better route, COV>CRE?

People are dead and your complaining because of slight inconvenience?

 

[ChrisMcFall]

Train to BHM, from BHM get a train to Wolverhampton then change at Wolverhampton for a service to Crewe. I think you can also get a train from BHM to Crewe anyway

Ah cool. So im fine really going from Cov, then through BHM onto a service such as the 13:20?

 

[class 313]

There's an article on the BBC News website timed at 13:12:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/7808254.stm

Is this why you asked me if I was at work? To answer your question, nah I wasn't. Also I only woke up at 4 so I didn't get your message till now ^^

 

[175001]

Typically, i was in Nuneaton when the annoucnment that all LM CRE-EUS services were suspended.

Thankfully, XC got me to New Street in time to catch the 1324 Holyhead train.

 

[adamp]

Will trains from the wigan/preston area be running normally to carlisle tomorrow?

-Adam

 

[class 313]

How are we meant to know? NRCC say until further notice.

 

[P156KWJ]

That must be some diesel to be able to get OHLE trains moving :roll:

super electric diesel

 

[adamp]

How are we meant to know? NRCC say until further notice.

Ok ok babs!

 

[Mintona]

Line expected ok Monday morning. Ta me.

 

[KingboyD]

Yeah i heard. Bit of a pain as i had plans to go to Crewe tomorrow.
Anyone reccomend a better route, COV>CRE?

Thats pretty heartless How dare they crash there plane, inconsiderate sods!

 

[33056]

Oh dear......Colwich was handed back this afternoon, but the wires are now down at Watford Junction

All four roads affected and trains have had to be evacuated, so not a minor problem hock:

 

[87015]

Oh dear......Colwich was handed back this afternoon, but the wires are now down at Watford Junction

All four roads affected and trains have had to be evacuated, so not a minor problem hock:

Service has been utterley abandoned, not even MK-Hemel shuttles or anything. Leighton station is all closed up with a very helpful "travel on Chiltern from Aylesbury" notice. Rather small point that unless you drive there is no way to get to Aylesbury!!! No road replacement or anything running which is nice, yet again London Midland quality...

Tomorrows rush hour could be interesting.

 

[class 313]

Service has been utterley abandoned, not even MK-Hemel shuttles or anything. Leighton station is all closed up with a very helpful "travel on Chiltern from Aylesbury" notice. Rather small point that unless you drive there is no way to get to Aylesbury!!! No road replacement or anything running which is nice, yet again London Midland quality...

Tomorrows rush hour could be interesting.

Should be running tomorrow, stock is another problem. Not being where it should be!

 

[furryfeet]

can the rail regulator take action against london midland for not providing a service in such circumstances ?

Surely if one has booked a ticket from leighton buzzard to say crewe, then london midland has a legal obligation to abide by that contract and lay on a taxi to the suitable railhead, which, from the notice, would be Aylesbury ?

 

[class 313]

can the rail regulator take action against london midland for not providing a service in such circumstances ?

Surely if one has booked a ticket from leighton buzzard to say crewe, then london midland has a legal obligation to abide by that contract and lay on a taxi to the suitable railhead, which, from the notice, would be Aylesbury ?

There are replacement buses between Milton Keynes and London Euston. I'm guessing that's all LM could do at short notice.

 

[87015]

There are replacement buses between Milton Keynes and London Euston. I'm guessing that's all LM could do at short notice.

They ain't stopping at local shacks though, or at least there is a complete lack of them here.
A couple of up Pendos do seem to be getting through now according to LDB although I'd treat that with suspicion myself...

 

[Pumbaa]

There are replacement buses between Milton Keynes and London Euston. I'm guessing that's all LM could do at short notice.

Yeah - LM staff at Hemel this afternoon were being kicked. Literally. Very angry passengers. All a little over the top. One gentleman in particular started ranting about the last few weeks of services. However valid his point, it was destroyed by his ridiculous behaviour.