Snow Service Changes 25/02/18 onwards.

[eastdyke]

... preparing to do by saying - DON'T PANIC... DON'T TRAVEL .... preparing properly means no one even notices and it's business as normal. Even before any snow fell we had threats of cancellations.. hence my lableiing it PATHETIC

So, if the forecasts are correct, some staff will not get to work. What is the TOC supposed to do? Make people work 18 hour shifts?

 

[Mutant Lemming]

So, if the forecasts are correct, some staff will not get to work. What is the TOC supposed to do? Make people work 18 hour shifts?

... silly me sorry of course they don't have those problems elsewhere and they don't make arrangements to cover those possibilities.... are you Tony Blair ?

 

[6Gman]

... preparing to do by saying - DON'T PANIC... DON'T TRAVEL .... preparing properly means no one even notices and it's business as normal. Even before any snow fell we had threats of cancellations.. hence my lableiing it PATHETIC

But wouldn't leaving it until after snow fell make matters worse?

 

[ge-gn]

I understand reduced frequency services running at reduced speeds. I do not understand the wholesale cancellation of the service on certain lines. Unfortunately not everyone has the ability to work from home, indeed, some of us need to get to work to do our bit to help try and keep essential public services running in this country at such times. The effect of the wholesale cancellation of trains on perceived rural lines, which run into major regional employment cities and towns is that many more people will now jump in their cars and run the gauntlet on roads which could already be treacherous. My local city centre is already notorious in winter weather even before you chuck in a few extra hundred skidding vehicles for good measure. It'll be carnage.

 

[6Gman]

... silly me sorry of course they don't have those problems elsewhere and they don't make arrangements to cover those possibilities.... are you Tony Blair ?

What's Tony Blair got to do with the issue?

 

[bramling]

... silly me sorry of course they don't have those problems elsewhere and they don't make arrangements to cover those possibilities.... are you Tony Blair ?

Please enlighten us as to what you think these arrangements are?

 

[Mutant Lemming]

What's Tony Blair got to do with the issue?

....over exaggerating the potential threat

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Please enlighten us as to what you think these arrangements are?

the ones that most major European rail operators seem to employ - even the ones that don't deal with "snow" as much as we do

 

[greatkingrat]

London Overground emergency timetable for Tuesday

4tph Stratford - Clapham Junction
No service Willesden Junction - Richmond
3tph Gospel Oak - Barking

Last trains tonight leaving an hour or so earlier than normal.

 

[87015]

Please enlighten us as to what you think these arrangements are?

Ice/Snow breaking trains overnight, reduced and slower services as above? Get people there, evenutally. Thats what was previously agreed, not throwing the towel in altogether. Most commuting people will be put off and not travel, but there should be a service for those without a choice or not on a simple out and back.

 

[6Gman]

the ones that most major European rail operators seem to employ - even the ones that don't deal with "snow" as much as we do

You do know that all German train services - across the whole country - were cancelled during recent bad weather?

 

[Darandio]

the ones that most major European rail operators seem to employ - even the ones that don't deal with "snow" as much as we do

We don't deal with snow much either, unless i'm living in some parallel Britain to the one you exist in. Regardless, we certainly don't deal with as much snow as we are going to see from tonight, at least not very often at all.

Oh, and the threat is no exaggeration....

 

[87015]

You do know that all German train services - across the whole country - were cancelled during recent bad weather?

Errr but not in advance, thats kind of the point being made isn't it? Stock was used as hotels etc but people were not abandoned in the main (as I understand a few reports from people there)

 

[Mutant Lemming]

London Overground emergency timetable for Tuesday

4tph Stratford - Clapham Junction
No service Willesden Junction - Richmond
3tph Gospel Oak - Barking

Last trains tonight leaving an hour or so earlier than normal.

er ...why ? there ISN'T any snow ? ...... the forecast may be bad but why finish early tonight ?

 

[87015]

er ...why ? there ISN'T any snow ? ...... the forecast may be bad but why finish early tonight ?

Dictated by NR and other operators bigwigs.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

er ...why ? there ISN'T any snow ? ...... the forecast may be bad but why finish early tonight ?

Errr but not in advance, thats kind of the point being made isn't it? Stock was used as hotels etc but people were not abandoned in the main.

We don't deal with snow much either, unless i'm living in some parallel Britain to the one you exist in. Regardless, we certainly don't deal with as much snow as we are going to see from tonight, at least not very often at all.

Oh, and the threat is no exaggeration....

we used to RUN empties to keep the road clear now it just seems to be shut the job down

 

[Segedunum]

You do know that all German train services - across the whole country - were cancelled during recent bad weather?

Indeed, during a "storm" in early January, DB in Cologne helpfully just cancelled everything from the Airport without telling anyone. It took the goodwill of an ICE Train Manager after about 45 minutes to ensure that anyone actually got anywhere.

Many hours later, their website still just said "trains may be disrupted" and the screens at Cologne Weiden-West just implored passengers to listen for non-existent announcements. I gave up out of frustration after an hour and caught a tram. Bizarrely everyone else stayed.

 

[Wivenswold]

... silly me sorry of course they don't have those problems elsewhere and they don't make arrangements to cover those possibilities.... are you Tony Blair ?

It's a fallacy that other countries don't get these problems. The comparison usually goes on to list countries that have heavy snow every year. The reason the UK doesn't spend millions on a once-in-10 years event (and even then, not in the same place each time) is the exact same reason you've not spent thousands on a Tornado Shelter.

 

[6Gman]

....over exaggerating the potential threat

I think the more relevant factor might be the risk-averse culture which has developed, for many reasons - good and bad - in recent years.

I can remember the days when the railway struggled on under some terrible conditions, but circumstances have changed:

1. We have a more crowded railway so disruption has a more rapid and more serious impact
2. We - quite rightly IMHO - have a higher regard for the safety of both staff and passengers
3. People are more inclined to litigation, which makes employers and service providers more cautious
4. We have a less flexible railway; something I very much regret, but it's reality. The days when you could rustle up half a dozen freight locos to retrieve failed trains are no more

 

[6Gman]

Ice/Snow breaking trains overnight, reduced and slower services as above? Get people there, evenutally. Thats what was previously agreed, not throwing the towel in altogether. Most commuting people will be put off and not travel, but there should be a service for those without a choice or not on a simple out and back.

Who crews these special overnight trains? Thinning out the services is what happens in most cases. I would agree with not "chucking in the towel".

 

[Domh245]

Errr but not in advance, thats kind of the point being made isn't it? Stock was used as hotels etc but people were not abandoned in the main (as I understand a few reports from people there)

Cancelled in advance, so that people should be aware before they get to the station? What a stupid idea - best leave them thinking it's all normal until they're waiting on the platform for an hour for a train that isn't coming...

 

[6Gman]

Cancelled in advance, so that people should be aware before they get to the station? What a stupid idea - best leave them thinking it's all normal until they're waiting on the platform for an hour for a train that isn't coming...

That's alright - it seems 87015 would prefer to use stock as an overnight hotel? Personally, I'd prefer advanced warning to spending hours on a train parked in a station ...

 

[Mutant Lemming]

I think the more relevant factor might be the risk-averse culture which has developed, for many reasons - good and bad - in recent years.

I can remember the days when the railway struggled on under some terrible conditions, but circumstances have changed:

1. We have a more crowded railway so disruption has a more rapid and more serious impact
2. We - quite rightly IMHO - have a higher regard for the safety of both staff and passengers
3. People are more inclined to litigation, which makes employers and service providers more cautious
4. We have a less flexible railway; something I very much regret, but it's reality. The days when you could rustle up half a dozen freight locos to retrieve failed trains are no more

yes you are probably right - if I was still on the trains I would be think nothing of using an ice scraper on the current rails to get a train moving...people were happy to struggle along icy platforms.... running empty stock to keep the roads clear is a thing of the past.... that's progress for you as they say.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

It's a fallacy that other countries don't get these problems. The comparison usually goes on to list countries that have heavy snow every year. The reason the UK doesn't spend millions on a once-in-10 years event (and even then, not in the same place each time) is the exact same reason you've not spent thousands on a Tornado Shelter.

.... must admit it is a work in progress and not sure it will be finished before the first tornado hits but it will have a fully functioning bar.

 

[87015]

Who crews these special overnight trains? Thinning out the services is what happens in most cases. I would agree with not "chucking in the towel".

Most places have night men in, or you see whats possible and get the right people to ring around - its what we've spent all day doing.

 

[87015]

Cancelled in advance, so that people should be aware before they get to the station? What a stupid idea - best leave them thinking it's all normal until they're waiting on the platform for an hour for a train that isn't coming...

Quite possible to check on the day isn't it before going to the station? The train hotel was direct response to asking what happened in DB its obviously not plan a but a contingency. Not sure being stuck somewhere with no train is much better. Not everyone can plan to jsut not travel at 12 hours notice.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Cancelled in advance, so that people should be aware before they get to the station? What a stupid idea - best leave them thinking it's all normal until they're waiting on the platform for an hour for a train that isn't coming...

There is NO snow in North London so what is the excuse for stopping services early ?

 

[Domh245]

Quite possible to check on the day isn't it before going to the station? The train hotel was direct response to asking what happened in DB its obviously not plan a but a contingency. Not sure being stuck somewhere with no train is much better. Not everyone can plan to jsut not travel at 12 hours notice.

It is entirely possible to check just before you travel, but I would think that more people can try to arrange alternative transport (hitching a lift with colleagues, working from home, etc) with 12 hours notice rather than 30 minutes.

 

[Class 466]

Southeastern are currently making amendments to their service tomorrow with cancellations to strengthen other services expected on every route.

All are being listed here slowly. https://drive.google.com/drive/mobile/folders/13oTs47w-T9XbOdYLEg68_o28zcabb6ZI

 

[jellybaby]

There is NO snow in North London so what is the excuse for stopping services early ?

There is snow on my street in North London.