Euston Disruption 25th Oct

[Lozzy0603]

Opentraintimes maps this evening is showing "1x4-" "2X4-" "3X4-" occupying the signal blocks at Euston Terminal this evening. (Large timetable disruption due to earlier trespass incident.)
I hadn't seen this method used before - is it new? Presumably it relates to the number of 4-car LM trains berthed at the platforms. In previous disruptions I think they've used 0A00 and xA99 or just left the last arrival up.
Why would signalling/ops have chosen to do this tonight? Is it so they can re-allocate stock to the diagrams to get them out as they need?
As its only blocks occupied by LM trains is this being controlled by LM operations or Network Rail signalling?
Thanks!

 

[Surreytraveller]

So the signaller knows how many carriages are in each platform, so when another train turns up outside, the signaller can ask the driver how long their train is, and then put it in a platform where it will fit

 

[Bald Rick]

Up to the signaller.

 

[LAX54]

It's a system used by many Signallers all over the system, simple way of knowing how many are in platforms, so not as to drop a train into a platform and will not fit .

 

[bramling]

It's a system used by many Signallers all over the system, simple way of knowing how many are in platforms, so not as to drop a train into a platform and will not fit .

Seen same at KX many times, though not always. Always assumed it’s an unofficial thing used be certain signallers. Also common to see “UNIT”.

 

[LAX54]

Person involved in the initial incident very lucky to be still alive !

 

[LeylandLen]

Is there not another thread for the disruption , as 'incident' occurred about 1625 , first post here 20.14?

 

[Steddenm]

According to the log, Virgin Trains declared a "code black" last night due to disruption across the network - the first time they have since the Greyrigg crash.

 

[Lozzy0603]

What does that involve to VT?

 

[Starmill]

According to the log, Virgin Trains declared a "code black" last night due to disruption across the network - the first time they have since the Greyrigg crash.

Really? I'm sure it has happened more recently when there have been fires by the railway? There have been flooding incidents and the failure of the Lamington Viaduct too, among many other things since 2007.

 

[Bletchleyite]

While a few people got stranded on the evening of the Lamington Viaduct failure, it wasn't that many (no thanks to the utter incompetence and lack of incident management ability of Preston station's staff plus the apparent lack of a decent major incident plan involving a load of strandings, something I still have not forgiven them for). I think there would have been far more strandings this time - and it does seem, from what I hear, VT had indeed learnt absolutely nothing from how Lamington was (mis)handled.

I hear from Twitter that a specific guard was almost gloating that VT were neither providing buses nor hotels - if true, he needs a proper talking to.

 

[Randomer]

Having also seen some of the alleged statements by the guard on twitter I don't understand how anybody in a customer facing role involving ticketing on the railway could have such a basic lack of knowledge of the conditions of travel?

It's one thing if there are absolutely no buses or taxis available (or hotel rooms free but I would expect at least some kind of provision to be made to not leave people stuck out overnight in the cold) but allegedly flatly stating VT had no responsibility to reasonably assist people who had commenced there journey is incredible.

In many ways that basic guarantee of we will get you there or put you up if something goes wrong is one of the railways best strengths in convincing people to use long distance public transport.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I would expect at least some kind of provision to be made to not leave people stuck out overnight in the cold

FWIW, there was, I believe a short time after Lamington, another case of the last train north from Preston being canned there and the motorway also being closed so no RRBs possible - I think the cause was snow. All the hotels in Preston were full so they allowed people to kip on the booking office floor at Preston, I believe.

 

[tsr]

Really? I'm sure it has happened more recently when there have been fires by the railway? There have been flooding incidents and the failure of the Lamington Viaduct too, among many other things since 2007.

Yes, VTWC have declared Code Black several times since.

Code Black is just the highest grade of Passenger Information During Disruption (PIDD). The PIDD process reacts to a certain level of severe disruption and, in conjunction with Customer Service Level 2 status, triggers specific procedures (varying by TOC, even though they should probably be the same - most often the procedures include issuing Do Not Travel advice). A couple of TOCs do it a lot - LNER (and their VTEC predecessors) are notorious for declaring Code Black and seem to have done it about once every two weeks for the last few years. SWR also do it quite a bit.

 

[infobleep]

Yes, VTWC have declared Code Black several times since.

Code Black is just the highest grade of Passenger Information During Disruption (PIDD). The PIDD process reacts to a certain level of severe disruption and, in conjunction with Customer Service Level 2 status, triggers specific procedures (varying by TOC, even though they should probably be the same - most often the procedures include issuing Do Not Travel advice). A couple of TOCs do it a lot - LNER (and their VTEC predecessors) are notorious for declaring Code Black and seem to have done it about once every two weeks for the last few years. SWR also do it quite a bit.

Is that because
A) both those TOCs experience more code blacks.
B) the local company guidance leads to it being used more.
C) a mixture of both A and B.

 

[yorkie]

Having also seen some of the alleged statements by the guard on twitter I don't understand how anybody in a customer facing role involving ticketing on the railway could have such a basic lack of knowledge of the conditions of travel?

Any chance of a link and quote please?

Some Guards do indeed lack even basic knowledge of conditions of travel. It's a fact I now accept as reality and no longer struggle to understand how it happens.

 

[tsr]

Is that because
A) both those TOCs experience more code blacks.
B) the local company guidance leads to it being used more.
C) a mixture of both A and B.

Seems to be “C” and also option “D” - network layout or restrictions limiting service recovery.