New South Western franchise: Awarded to First/MTR

[Schweir]

Well I'm 45min down so far, so well into repay time, and just been informed of more possible hold up at the inevitable bottleneck into Waterloo! What a wonderful start to their launch, and repay scheme!

Just seen the SWR unit waiting in the wings at Wimbledon for its cue.

Edit: Left now, via point pleasant.

That is one of the worst train liveries I have ever seen...

 

[CosherB]

That is one of the worst train liveries I have ever seen...

I doubt that you have seen many train liveries - there have been plenty worse than this effort over the last 20 years.

 

[TEW]

Isn't it good to know that the senior management still have time for the pointless corporate pomp that is the launch of the new brand, which I expect the majority of staff and passengers couldn't care less about, whilst the network is in complete meltdown. It was looked at opening Platforms 21 and 22 to help recover from the disruption, but it wasn't possible as the platforms were full of equipment for the launch. Definitely got their priorities straight.

 

[HowardGWR]

Isn't it good to know that the senior management still have time for the pointless corporate pomp that is the launch of the new brand, which I expect the majority of staff and passengers couldn't care less about, whilst the network is in complete meltdown. It was looked at opening Platforms 21 and 22 to help recover from the disruption, but it wasn't possible as the platforms were full of equipment for the launch. Definitely got their priorities straight.

This isn't Twitter.

 

[spark001uk]

This isn't Twitter.

No it's not. But nonetheless it is a forum thread for discussion of the new sw franchise, which is what's happening, rant included or not.

 

[spark001uk]

Couple more of the unit, at Waterloo.

 

[TEW]

This isn't Twitter.

No. It isn't. Did you actually see the state of the SWR network around the time of the launch this morning? The service was in complete meltdown. The launch should have been cancelled.

 

[spark001uk]

No. It isn't. Did you actually see the state of the SWR network around the time of the launch this morning? The service was in complete meltdown. The launch should have been cancelled.

To be fair, it was one train in and one train out, and upon arrival it did wait for several passenger movements before entering the station. So from a congestion point of view the train itself didn't really do much damage. As to whether 21-24 are still officially available for passenger use (to ease congestion) I couldn't tell you, however I did ask a chap there this question and he said they can't, for one they haven't enough staff available to dispatch, and something else about the gateline, I didn't quite catch it.

 

[TEW]

To be fair, it was one train in and one train out, and upon arrival it did wait for several passenger movements before entering the station. So from a congestion point of view the train itself didn't really do much damage. As to whether 21-24 are still officially available for passenger use (and whether they would've eased congestion) I couldn't tell you, however I did ask a chap there this question and he said they can't, for one they haven't enough staff available to dispatch, and something else about the gateline, I didn't quite catch it.

There was an internal message that stated the use of Platforms 21-22 was investigated, but not possible because of the launch. There were signalling problems that mean Platforms 7-9 were out of use for a period. That would have freed up available dispatch staff. Platforms 21-22 were put in to use on Sunday in a very similar situation.

 

[47802]

I don't think the livery is too bad actually the main issue is the Blue which doesn't match the rest of it , obviously its very different to Stagecoach so it maybe a bit of a shock in that respect and clearly not a good day to unveil it.

 

[infobleep]

To be fair, it was one train in and one train out, and upon arrival it did wait for several passenger movements before entering the station. So from a congestion point of view the train itself didn't really do much damage. As to whether 21-24 are still officially available for passenger use (to ease congestion) I couldn't tell you, however I did ask a chap there this question and he said they can't, for one they haven't enough staff available to dispatch, and something else about the gateline, I didn't quite catch it.

I do wonder how much of the media reports will focus on the things and how much will focus on the infrastructure and train problems. I've come across at lest three train failures in addition to everything else..

If any of the press were using the network to get to Waterloo, they might even be caught up in it. Even if not they can see the display boards and read Twitter.

Currently the lines between Wimbledon and Clapham Junction are open with delays of up to 20 minutes and that is expected to continue until 22.00. The signaling issue at Portsmouth has also been resolved and the lines are all open. There are still delays of 60 minutes but despite delays of up to three times the length of that at Wimbledon, the distortion at Portsmouth is expected to be resolved by 15.30. I guess with less trains running they can resolve the disruption more easily.

So a rather unfortunate day to hold the launch but had they cancelled it, they might have looked even worse so they just have to make the best of it.

Despite falling newspaper sales, companies like SWR obviously still feel there is merit in doing promotional activities aimed at the media.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Smart livery, I certainly like it.

 

[class387]

Smart livery, I certainly like it.

Agreed.

 

[randompixel]

It's smart, but I wonder how much of that is the "new-ness" of it? Compared to the SWT liveries it's a tad boring and functional. Maybe that's what they're trying to portray?

I still maintain it looks like a website design applied to a train (those striped background gradient were very _in_ at the tail end of the web 2.0 design phase about 5 years ago).

 

[infobleep]

It's going to be fun for passengers trying to get to anywhere between Vauxhall and Surbtion inclusive tonight. Most trains are cancelled between 16. 00-19.00. From 16.45 onwards only 2 trains an hour will be running, these being the Hampton Courts. All others are running fast Waterloo to Surbtion.

Hopefully they will use some common sense and allow passengers to circulate via Waterloo.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Experienced the disruption at Vauxhall earlier and they were certainly encouraging passengers to circulate via Waterloo as necessary.

 

[leshuttle]

Looking up times for a trip on October 14th seems like they've not been updated yet. With regards to engineering work (http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/168078.aspx) is it likely Waterloo to Southampton trains will be diverted via Guildford?

 

[swt_passenger]

Looking up times for a trip on October 14th seems like they've not been updated yet. With regards to engineering work (http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/168078.aspx) is it likely Waterloo to Southampton trains will be diverted via Guildford?

It is the only possible route for diverted EMU operation. Only XC can go via Salisbury (Laverstock)

That NRES statement is the usual way they explain the effect of such diversions, running a couple of Weymouth or Poole trains via Havant each hour has a knock on effect on the Portsmouth line's services.

 

[infobleep]

Has code black been declared for today? I ask because so many trains seem to be cancelled or delayed. They have reinstated the stops on some of the trains between Vauxhall and Surbtion at least, so more trains are stopping. That is a sensible move in my opinion, given the numbers who travel from stations like Vauxhall and Clapham Junction.

Esit: Having just said that, I see the next three trains from Waterloo to Cobham have been cancelled through out. This is the 17.03, 33 and 18.03. Correct two of those trains are not cancelled through out. They are just skipping places like Clapham Junction. As the Woking services are still station skipping too, still down to 2-3 trains an hour. Not a good launch day.

 

[cjohnson]

Are the suburban delays still mainly a knock-on from the broken down train at Wimbledon around 9 this morning?!

 

[infobleep]

Are the suburban delays still mainly a knock-on from the broken down train at Wimbledon around 9 this morning?!

I believe so.

 

[Wolfie]

I do wonder how much of the media reports will focus on the things and how much will focus on the infrastructure and train problems. I've come across at lest three train failures in addition to everything else..

If any of the press were using the network to get to Waterloo, they might even be caught up in it. Even if not they can see the display boards and read Twitter.

So a rather unfortunate day to hold the launch but had they cancelled it, they might have looked even worse so they just have to make the best of it.

The media message will be that First couldn't run a bath..I do hope that Chris Failing was there to be rightly criticised...

Isn't it good to know that the senior management still have time for the pointless corporate pomp that is the launch of the new brand, which I expect the majority of staff and passengers couldn't care less about, whilst the network is in complete meltdown. It was looked at opening Platforms 21 and 22 to help recover from the disruption, but it wasn't possible as the platforms were full of equipment for the launch. Definitely got their priorities straight.

While it is all about perceptions that does send a rather unfortunate message to put it politely...

This isn't Twitter.

True it isn't. However there are those that are so up themselves that they fail to recognise that, despite possible rail industry/anorak interest, Joe Public doesn't give a flying toss about who operates a franchise and their self-congratulatory pats on the back. However Joe Public certainly does care when it appears that such activity has a potentially negative impact or effect on incident recovery. Those that don't see that ought to rapidly rejoin the real world.

 

[infobleep]

Despite all the delays, and the 16.42 departing Waterloo 41 minutes late,, they still decided to run it to its usual stopping pattern. It is currently behind two stopping trains to Woking.

I decided to board it anyway as it's a 444 to Basingstoke with tables and power sockets in standard class.

Edit: After Weybridge they switched it to the fast line so it might overtake some of the stopping services. That's good work by the signalman.

Interestingly they held the Woking stopping service outside of Woking so the Basingstoke train could go into platform 5 without further delay. The 17.52 to Basingstoke had already overtaken it. I was surprised at how empty it was, given it departed Waterloo first and only being formed of 5 coaches. Maybe people are still on holiday.

 

[HowardGWR]

True it isn't. However there are those that are so up themselves that they fail to recognise that, despite possible rail industry/anorak interest, Joe Public doesn't give a flying toss about who operates a franchise and their self-congratulatory pats on the back. However Joe Public certainly does care when it appears that such activity has a potentially negative impact on affect incident recovery. Those that don't see that ought to rapidly rejoin the real world.

Yes, but I doubt whether the timing and the ability of someone to inform those who could react promptly were present, unfortunately. I don't think, had the consequences been known sufficiently, that it would have gone ahead. I expect there will be post mortems. Not as disastrous as the William Huskisson opening, thankfully.

There was plenty of knock on delays and cancellation down in our area (Exeter to Salisbury). Just have a look at RTT.

 

[infobleep]

The media message will be that First couldn't run a bath..I do hope that Chris Failing was there to be rightly criticised...



While it is all about perceptions that does send a rather unfortunate message to put it politely...




True it isn't. However there are those that are so up themselves that they fail to recognise that, despite possible rail industry/anorak interest, Joe Public doesn't give a flying toss about who operates a franchise and their self-congratulatory pats on the back. However Joe Public certainly does care when it appears that such activity has a potentially negative impact on affect incident recovery. Those that don't see that ought to rapidly rejoin the real world.

I do hope.Mr Grayling was there and he as were some awkward questions.

Ahh this is more like it. I'm on a delayed train to Fratton from Woking and it's rammed. If only Jermey Corbyn was on board! Probably too rammed for him.

Maybe it's less rammed towards the front. I would have been towards the front but having gone from platform 5 to 4, where I'd be closer to the front, they switched the train to platform 5, so back I went. I isn't bothered going to thr front after that.

Incidentally the guard in the heavily delayed Basingstoke service mentioned that you can now claim delay repay for delays of over 30 minutes. On this service the apology has only been for the delay. This train is now 30 minutes late precisely according to National Rail Enquiries. I imagine it will take time for staff to remember all the new announcements.

I haven't been delayed by 30 minutes myself so won't be claiming. I wonder how many others will. It will certainly be a good test of the new claim system they have in place.

 

[infobleep]

Looking at South Western Railway Twitter feed, there is a nothing about today's launch. Is it now a quiet launch to follow the initial soft launch?

Incidentally once off the train I heard another passenger say five South West Trains excuses in one day.

Perhaps if South Western Railway keep quiet people will just blame the previous lot and then they can shout more loud when things quieten down.

 

[randompixel]

They've kept Delay Repay quiet imo. Barely seen any info on it. The wording in the website, once you find it, seems like it's trying to persuade you not to claim. Very confusing regarding smart cards (as per usual) - do you still have to manually claim?

I think a lot of people used to void days happening automatically will be missing out.

 

[randompixel]

Was rotten on the way home. Drivers stuck in Clapham Yard whilst their full and standing train is waiting at Waterloo. Congestion at Woking whilst it seemed like trains being fed though platforms 2 and 4 whilst a 455 sat at p5.

 

[superalbs]

They've kept Delay Repay quiet imo. Barely seen any info on it. The wording in the website, once you find it, seems like it's trying to persuade you not to claim. Very confusing regarding smart cards (as per usual) - do you still have to manually claim?

I think a lot of people used to void days happening automatically will be missing out.

In the latest newsletter email, they have said that Delay Repay has started "from today".

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Delays expected until around 10:00 tomorrow:

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/170791.aspx

Various incidents across the South Western Railway network are resulting in some trains being delayed by up to 35 minutes, cancelled or revised. Disruption is expected until 10:00 05/09.



What South Western Railway Are Doing About It:

A number of incidents today have caused disruption to services across the South Western Railway network:

A track circuit failure at London Waterloo affecting platforms 1 - 3
A broken down train between Staines and Feltham blocking the line towards London
A broken down train between Wimbledon and Earlsfield blocking the surburban line towards London
A signalling problem between Hilsea and Portsmouth Harbour
A signalling problem between Southampton Central and Fareham
A trespass incident between Basingstoke and Eastleigh
A points problem at London Waterloo closing Platform 9
A trespass incident at Guildford



Services to and from Salisbury are now running to and from London Waterloo instead of terminating and starting back from Basingstoke.
Services to and from Alton are now running their full journey instead of terminating and starting back from Farnham.

South Western Railway are working hard to get services back to normal but this will require services to be altered or revised at short notice. Some services may also be diverted via an alternative route.

South Western Railway expect tomorrow morning's service to run normally, but a number of trains will have fewer carriages than normal as a result of the disruption today. South Western Railway are working to identify which trains will be affected but they may not be able to identify all of them until trains have finished their journeys tonight. You should check whether your train will be formed of fewer coaches before you travel in the morning.

South Western Railway are sorry for the disruption caused to your journey this evening.

How South Western Railway Are Helping You Complete Your Journey:

To assist you with your journey today you can use your tickets on:

London Buses via any reasonable route towards London
London Underground via any reasonable route
Great Western Railway services via any reasonable route
Southern services via any reasonable route

Will a good chunk of the residue delays be down to stock being out of place and some train crews running out of hours?