ECML OLE problems at Retford yet again (09/03)

[ejstubbs]

What is it with this stretch of line? This is the fourth time in six months that I know of. I know the ECML has a poor reputation for OLE reliability generally but this seems to be turning in to a problem hot spot.

 

[Searle]

Just great. Anyone with a bit more clue than me fancy telling me if they reckon things will be fixed by 6pm for the evening commute? Will be attempting to get from Stevenage back home to Lincoln

 

[eastdyke]

Sadly a bad travel day in the area today. A1 has been closed in both directions since this morning.

Quote from Lincolnshire Live:

http://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/l...xt-few-hours/story-30191365-detail/story.html

It is estimated that the northbound carriageway will not open again until 5.30pm at the earliest, while the southbound is expected to be closed until 5.45pm.

 

[bradders1983]

Just great. Anyone with a bit more clue than me fancy telling me if they reckon things will be fixed by 6pm for the evening commute? Will be attempting to get from Stevenage back home to Lincoln

Surely trains will be going as far north as Newark? Get off there, nip across to Newark Castle (assuming you arent at Newark by 1728), job done

 

[PHILIPE]

Just great. Anyone with a bit more clue than me fancy telling me if they reckon things will be fixed by 6pm for the evening commute? Will be attempting to get from Stevenage back home to Lincoln

NRE says disruption expected for rest of day

 

[PHILIPE]

NRE says this re train arrangements:-

QUOTE
[http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/today.aspx]

Always your first port of call

 

[Searle]

Surely trains will be going as far north as Newark? Get off there, nip across to Newark Castle (assuming you arent at Newark by 1728), job done

Yeah, could possibly be, I'll have to keep an eye out. Usually on the 18:08 from King's Cross to Skipton, changing at Newark NG. Looks like it will be a long evening either way!

 

[bradders1983]

Yeah, could possibly be, I'll have to keep an eye out. Usually on the 18:08 from King's Cross to Skipton, changing at Newark NG. Looks like it will be a long evening either way!

Suppose one option could be to take the MML up to Nottingham and pick up the Lincoln train from there, may avoid some of the hassle. This assumes ticket acceptance has been relaxed, mind.

EDIT - there is actually a direct Lincoln train leaving St Pancras at 1830...

 

[philjo]

looks like currently 2 trains per hour from Kings Cross.

xx:00 to Scotland
xx:30 calls at Stevenage and Peterborough only where it terminates.

From 15:00 half past the hour departures from Kings Cross will run to Stevenage and Peterborough only. #Retford twt.lt/qz4h

09 Mar 17 - 14:54


National Rail
‏@nationalrailenq

From 15:00 on the hour departures from London Kings Cross will run to Scotland #Retford twt.lt/qz4h

VTEC website - 15:25:

Major delays on some routes - Check to see if your journey is affected.
Major disruption between Doncaster and Grantham until the end of the day

Damage has been caused to the overhead electric wires between Retford and Newark North Gate. As a result, trains between Doncaster and Grantham will be delayed by up to 2 hours or cancelled. Disruption is expected to continue until the end of the day.

Advice for Hull Trains customers:
If you are travelling to / from Retford, you should speak to station staff regarding alternative transport.

Tickets are being accepted on the following operators on any reasonable route:

CrossCountry
Virgin Trains East Coast



Advice for Virgin Trains East Coast customers:
You can use your ticket on the following operators:

Virgin Trains
East Midlands Trains
CrossCountry
Northern
TransPennine Express
ScotRail



From 15:00 the following services are planned to run:
On the hour departures from London Kings Cross will run to Scotland.

Half past the hour departures from London Kings Cross will run to Stevenage and Peterborough only.

If you're travelling between London and Scotland, it is advised to use Virgin Trains between London Euston and Glasgow Central and then use ScotRail for onward connections.

If you're travelling between London and Leeds / York or the North East of England, it is advised to use Virgin Trains between London Euston and Manchester and use TransPennine Express to your destination.

If you're travelling between London and Grantham / Newark, it is advised to use East Midlands Trains services between London St Pancras International and Nottingham for alternative East Midlands Trains services to Newark Castle or Grantham.

If you're travelling between London and Doncaster / Retford / Wakefield, use East Midlands Trains between London St Pancras International and Sheffield and then use CrossCountry or Northern services for onward connections.

Ticket restrictions have been lifted so you can travel on the next available service.

Tickets dated today will be valid on services tomorrow, Friday 10 March.

Advice for Grand Central customers:
You can use your ticket on the following operators:

East Midlands Trains from London St Pancras International to Sheffield
CrossCountry on any reasonable route
Northern on any reasonable route
Hull Trains on any reaosonable route
TransPennine Express on any reasonable route
Tyne & Wear Metro

 

[Searle]

Suppose one option could be to take the MML up to Nottingham and pick up the Lincoln train from there, may avoid some of the hassle. This assumes ticket acceptance has been relaxed, mind.

EDIT - there is actually a direct Lincoln train leaving St Pancras at 1830...

I would do but I'm in Ware at the moment and commuting from Stevenage! I usually get the 1740 Stevenage - Peterborough, which connects with the 1803 from Lincoln. I'm meant to be driving to Stevenage so I'll probably just drive home, attempting to avoid the A1 chaos at Newark. Thanks for the information though.

 

[bradders1983]

I would do but I'm in Ware at the moment and commuting from Stevenage! Thanks for the information though haha

Oh dear

Suppose you could jump on the A52 at Grantham and then the A14 and attack Lincoln that way?

 

[ejstubbs]

VTEC have now Tweeted a photo of a damaged OLE wire, and another of a broken pantograph:

Perhaps they thought that people might suspect them of being economical with the truth about the reason for the disruption?

 

[gavin]

Damaged train

 

[Searle]

Oh dear

Suppose you could jump on the A52 at Grantham and then the A14 and attack Lincoln that way?

My usual route is to get off the A1 just north of Grantham and take back roads into Lincoln (through Marston and Brant Broughton) when there's disruption. Not very fun at night time but I don't have a choice tonight :-x

Sadly a bad travel day in the area today. A1 has been closed in both directions since this morning.

Quote from Lincolnshire Live:

http://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/l...xt-few-hours/story-30191365-detail/story.html

now been revised to re-opening at 8pm. not going to be a fun rush hour for many tonight.

 

[bradders1983]

My usual route is to get off the A1 just north of Grantham and take back roads into Lincoln (through Marston and Brant Broughton) when there's disruption. Not very fun at night time but I don't have a choice tonight :-x

Aye I recently drove to Stubton in the dark

 

[ejstubbs]

Relative on the should-have-been 14:00 from KGX (dep 22L) reports they are now held outside Grantham "awaiting a platform". I could have sworn someone had already built some there, last time I passed through on the train...

 

[bradders1983]

Relative on the should-have-been 14:00 from KGX (dep 22L) reports they are now held outside Grantham "awaiting a platform". I could have sworn someone had already built some there, last time I passed through on the train...

They only have three through platforms there and Im guessing thats where all services are being held/turned around/being taken back to. And there are other services at the station to fit in (Nottingham-Norwich trains, Skeggy ones). But Im sure you knew all this....

 

[gavin]

1s13 which brought the line down is now closing in on York some 3hrs 20 late

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y60631/2017/03/09/advanced

 

[Kite159]

Another 91 bringing the wires down? Must have been hungry

I guess some services will be turning right after Newark heading towards Lincoln swinging left to head towards Gainsborough carrying on to rejoin the ECML south of Doncaster, and some turning right after Peterborough to go via the "Joint line" towards Sleaford, via Lincoln and them towards Gainsborough?

 

[bradders1983]

Another 91 bringing the wires down? Must have been hungry

I guess some services will be turning right after Newark heading towards Lincoln swinging left to head towards Gainsborough carrying on to rejoin the ECML south of Doncaster, and some turning right after Peterborough to go via the "Joint line" towards Sleaford, via Lincoln and them towards Gainsborough?

Electric sets won't be able to go that way.

 

[Kite159]

Electric sets won't be able to go that way.

Either HST or very unlikely event of 67 hauled Mk4s [I was thinking more if GC/HT are running]

 

[Fuzzytop]

I'm on 1S20, being diverted round Lincoln. All electrics seemed cancelled earlier, just HSTs. We were also delayed about 20 "awaiting a platform" at Grantham fwiw.

 

[800001]

1s13 which brought the line down is now closing in on York some 3hrs 20 late

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y60631/2017/03/09/advanced

And will be caped at York.

 

[Darandio]

Relative on the should-have-been 14:00 from KGX (dep 22L) reports they are now held outside Grantham "awaiting a platform". I could have sworn someone had already built some there, last time I passed through on the train...

Boom boom, hilarious.

 

[Andyh82]

There does seem to be threads here discussing major disruption on the ECML at least once a week lately.

Is it an issue that would need infrastructure improvements, or does the fault lie with the class 91 dragging them down that no improvements would solve?

 

[tellytype]

The irony is the county council bloke with responsibility for transport was a thing Grantham all day campaigning for better rail services. Whoops.

 

[TimboM]

There does seem to be threads here discussing major disruption on the ECML at least once a week lately.

Is it an issue that would need infrastructure improvements, or does the fault lie with the class 91 dragging them down that no improvements would solve?

ECML wires were put up on the cheap - that's the issue more than the 91s (or the other locos which also bring them down - just usually a 91 as their the main electric loco that uses the ECML...)

 

[Red Dragon]

We were booked on the 1305 KGX to LDS, but with little info, and only the occasional rammed northbound HST moving out, I went to Euston and took the 1440 to Manchester. Trans Pennine to Leeds and then home, two and a half hours late.

Delay Repay?
I'll reclaim as a matter of principle but is it really worth it for two £8 Advances from The Cross to Ilkley !

I really wish they'd do a permanent solution to the ongoing wire problem in that area of the ECML.

 

[class26]

Surely trains will be going as far north as Newark? Get off there, nip across to Newark Castle (assuming you arent at Newark by 1728), job done

Or catch the 19.06 from Kings Cross direct to Lincoln

 

[westv]

Is it my imagination or is Thursday the worst day of the week for disruption?