Special "snow" timetables

[DaveNewcastle]

I've forgotten where the snowploughs are all based, though I did do a little survey of them a couple of years back.
There was one at Doncaster (tho' can't recall seeing it recently), and two at Inverness and a handful more elsewhere which I've forgotten now. Anyone else?

 

[route101]

I've forgotten where the snowploughs are all based, though I did do a little survey of them a couple of years back.
There was one at Doncaster (tho' can't recall seeing it recently), and two at Inverness and a handful more elsewhere which I've forgotten now. Anyone else?

Im sure there is one at Carlisle just south of the station.

 

[ainsworth74]

Used to be one at Thornaby, but I've not seen it in a while.

 

[DarloRich]

Special ran yesterday from Tees Yard to Whitby on snow plough duties. An Nr 97 and a 31

 

[142094]

Special ran yesterday from Tees Yard to Whitby on snow plough duties. An Nr 97 and a 31

Must have had much effect since the trains are still off on the line!

 

[ainsworth74]

Yeah that's what I thought. Still according to NRE the 14:16 MBR -> WTB is going to run, but I think I will wait a bit closer to the time to actually believe that

 

[sprinterguy]

There don’t seem to be as many independent snowploughs around as there were a decade or more ago: There used to be one stabled at Fort William, unless it’s regular location has changed to the nearby depot I don’t know where that one’s gone: I can’t admit to having seen the Carlisle one in a little while either (not that I’ve been looking out for it particularly), I remember just a couple of years ago it was a fixed feature in the sidings.

I can’t believe that the rail network, and, let’s be honest, the UK transport network as a whole, has fallen apart as uncontrollably as it has following a few days of continued snowfall; it doesn’t show great resilience to adverse conditions does it?

Looking at all the various threads on this forum alone about it though, it does go to prove that us Brits just love having a good crisis to discuss!

 

[DarloRich]

Sprinter Guy - NR have ratrionlaised stabling locations for snow ploughs/blowers and i also think got rid of a few of the older ones.

 

[sprinterguy]

Sprinter Guy - NR have ratrionlaised stabling locations for snow ploughs/blowers and i also think got rid of a few of the older ones.

I thought as much, cheers for the info.

 

[me123]

I can’t believe that the rail network, and, let’s be honest, the UK transport network as a whole, has fallen apart as uncontrollably as it has following a few days of continued snowfall; it doesn’t show great resilience to adverse conditions does it?

I take it you don't have 3 feet of snow in your area, as some people do. I have a foot of snow in this area, so it's quite understandable that travel is severely disrupted.

 

[sprinterguy]

I take it you don't have 3 feet of snow in your area, as some people do. I have a foot of snow in this area, so it's quite understandable that travel is severely disrupted.

Not in my area, but I do know many people who do have that sort of level of snowfall at the moment where they are. This is an annual occurrence, not always as early as November but nonetheless, it’s something that the UK is used to and the transport systems should be designed to be able to cope with it, rather than it seeming like the world is suddenly ending on the roads and railways as soon as a days’ worth of snowfall has settled. To quote a certain J. Clarkson, and being fully aware of the irony in this statement, “How hard can it be?”

 

[90019]

“How hard can it be?”

Don't say that!!

 

[sprinterguy]

Don't say that!!

Yeah it does conjur up images of things combusting uncontrollably and creating blazing fireballs doesn't it

 

[DarloRich]

As an extra point Sprinter guy it is worth considering that the number of indiopendat locos fitted with MSP has also been drastically reduced!

 

[Clip]

Not in my area, but I do know many people who do have that sort of level of snowfall at the moment where they are. This is an annual occurrence, not always as early as November but nonetheless, it’s something that the UK is used to and the transport systems should be designed to be able to cope with it, rather than it seeming like the world is suddenly ending on the roads and railways as soon as a days’ worth of snowfall has settled. To quote a certain J. Clarkson, and being fully aware of the irony in this statement, “How hard can it be?”

With regards to uk transport as a whole though - and il loosely use the M25 snarl up here as an example - how many trucks do you keep on the roads/ tracks for this though? The snow was falling so heavily and quickly that as soon as a section was cleared it was covered again within an hour.

then with all the cars on there/trains stopped somewhere how do you then get the tools to clear it again past them all to make a thorough fare? Though yesterday it did take them ages to girt and make the tunnel in use for one way so they could do the bridge but still a monumental effort.

 

[me123]

Not in my area, but I do know many people who do have that sort of level of snowfall at the moment where they are. This is an annual occurrence, not always as early as November but nonetheless, it’s something that the UK is used to and the transport systems should be designed to be able to cope with it, rather than it seeming like the world is suddenly ending on the roads and railways as soon as a days’ worth of snowfall has settled. To quote a certain J. Clarkson, and being fully aware of the irony in this statement, “How hard can it be?”

I can guarantee you that having over a foot in Coatbridge (about 10 miles East of Glasgow) is not an annual occurrence. It's rare that we get more than a couple of inches. It's the deepest snow here for quite some time.

 

[sprinterguy]

With regards to uk transport as a whole though - and il loosely use the M25 snarl up here as an example - how many trucks do you keep on the roads/ tracks for this though? The snow was falling so heavily and quickly that as soon as a section was cleared it was covered again within an hour.

then with all the cars on there/trains stopped somewhere how do you then get the tools to clear it again past them all to make a thorough fare? Though yesterday it did take them ages to girt and make the tunnel in use for one way so they could do the bridge but still a monumental effort.

Well it’s true that there isn’t an infinite supply of grit or gritting lorries, but it seems that Britian has never learned from past experience when it comes to adverse winter weather. Every year it’s exactly the same, with exactly the same issues, and the UKs’ winter weather is hardly particularly harsh compared to some places on the continent: Not saying that countries with more severe winter conditions than us get it right all the time either, but us Britons seem particularly adept at falling into disarray as soon as something out of the ordinary occurs. In many instances, and I’m referring to individuals here as well as to local councils, TOCs or whoever, there seems to be a lack of any forward planning.

 

[NXEA!]

How are NXEA services holding up? Going to be using them everyday from this friday for the next two weeks. Also what's all this about a DRS 37 being used on drags? Is it still being used? I'm getting excited now, who can blame me

 

[Clip]

Well it’s true that there isn’t an infinite supply of grit or gritting lorries, but it seems that Britian has never learned from past experience when it comes to adverse winter weather. Every year it’s exactly the same, with exactly the same issues, and the UKs’ winter weather is hardly particularly harsh compared to some places on the continent: Not saying that countries with more severe winter conditions than us get it right all the time either, but us Britons seem particularly adept at falling into disarray as soon as something out of the ordinary occurs. In many instances, and I’m referring to individuals here as well as to local councils, TOCs or whoever, there seems to be a lack of any forward planning.

Oh for sure.. But then this has only been happening the last few years this bad - well in England anyway.. Imagine if we bought loads of stuff to make it work like they do in countries that have problems and then never used it... people would be saying what a waste of money...

 

[sprinterguy]

I can guarantee you that having over a foot in Coatbridge (about 10 miles East of Glasgow) is not an annual occurrence. It's rare that we get more than a couple of inches. It's the deepest snow here for quite some time.

Fair enough, in my native north east England the sort of level of snow fall that is occuring is pretty familiar, surprising that it's happening as early as November but not hugely unusual for winter generally, but take a look at the state of ECML trains north of York and it's clear to see that they cannot cope with it.

 

[Clip]

Fair enough, in my native north east England the sort of level of snow fall that is occuring is pretty familiar, surprising that it's happening as early as November but not hugely unusual for winter generally, but take a look at the state of ECML trains north of York and it's clear to see that they cannot cope with it.

Oh yes. Im from up there too but have had the pleasure of living down south for quite a while now.. and they still are having problems.. The worst part of it again, is the lack of information getting through to people.. Thats one thing the railway still has not learnt to do but i guess another topic

 

[sprinterguy]

Oh for sure.. But then this has only been happening the last few years this bad - well in England anyway.. Imagine if we bought loads of stuff to make it work like they do in countries that have problems and then never used it... people would be saying what a waste of money...

There've been exceptionally harsh winters happening periodically for decades, some when I was too young to remember clearly, and some before I was born: 1990/1 was particularly bad, as was, going back some to a time way before me, 1963, and I'm sure there'll have been others betwixt them, I wouldn't say they're a recent phenomenom.

So there is an admonition there that there is a lack of preparation for when an unexpectedly cold winter hits us: Not necessarily for any particulalrly wrong reasons or ineptitude, more due to a lack of political will: It is unfortunately true that a fickle public would berate any council that prepared each year for the worst but experienced a spate of mild winters, claiming it as a waste of taxpayers' money. Damned if they do, damned if they don't I s'pose.

 

[YorkshireBear]

There've been exceptionally harsh winters happening periodically for decades, some when I was too young to remember clearly, and some before I was born: 1990/1 was particularly bad, as was, going back some to a time way before me, 1963, and I'm sure there'll have been others betwixt them, I wouldn't say they're a recent phenomenom.

So there is an admonition there that there is a lack of preparation for when an unexpectedly cold winter hits us: Not necessarily for any particulalrly wrong reasons or ineptitude, more due to a lack of political will: It is unfortunately true that a fickle public would berate any council that prepared each year for the worst but experienced a spate of mild winters, claiming it as a waste of taxpayers' money. Damned if they do, damned if they don't I s'pose.

exactly so (i think quite rightly) pick option where they get damned but dont spend loads of money......

 

[sprinterguy]

exactly so (i think quite rightly) pick option where they get damned but dont spend loads of money......

Yeah, if you're going to get blamed anyway, might as well pick the option that requires less funding.

The biggest problem with attempting to plan ahead for winter weather is the completely unpredictable weather conditions in Britain at all times of year, which makes everything a bit of a lucky dip as to when action is going to have to be taken. In no way am I berating the performance of the TOCs, Network Rail and most importantly their staff during this difficult time, as I am aware that they are all putting in a sterling performance keeping things moving at all for the benefit of the passengers and well done to them. You’d just like to think that maybe one day Britain will get the hang of this winter weather malarkey once and for all!

 

[Clip]

There've been exceptionally harsh winters happening periodically for decades, some when I was too young to remember clearly, and some before I was born: 1990/1 was particularly bad, as was, going back some to a time way before me, 1963, and I'm sure there'll have been others betwixt them, I wouldn't say they're a recent phenomenom.

So there is an admonition there that there is a lack of preparation for when an unexpectedly cold winter hits us: Not necessarily for any particulalrly wrong reasons or ineptitude, more due to a lack of political will: It is unfortunately true that a fickle public would berate any council that prepared each year for the worst but experienced a spate of mild winters, claiming it as a waste of taxpayers' money. Damned if they do, damned if they don't I s'pose.

Ive got fond memories of making snowmen from school to home when i lived in newcastle.. every year too...

They are just damned by not giving the public what they want full stop.. But then again the majority of the public dont seem to understand how things work in general..

 

[YorkshireBear]

the only query i have is how much does a snowplough cost parked in a shed somewhere? not much surely? cos i think there should be a few more out, and make it able to attach to DMU's so you dont need to get a loco in

 

[Clip]

the only query i have is how much does a snowplough cost parked in a shed somewhere? not much surely? cos i think there should be a few more out, and make it able to attach to DMU's so you dont need to get a loco in

Thats a good point but then would the weight of one at the front not make it a bit off balance.. ?

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Yes. Do you remember that only last winter the snow-plough failed to clear the Highland mainline? That would have been shoved along by one or two locos. I don't think a unit would have had much chance!

The biggest problem with attempting to plan ahead for winter weather is the completely unpredictable weather conditions in Britain at all times of year, which makes everything a bit of a lucky dip as to when action is going to have to be taken.

One council here HAD prepared well. More grit in stock than last year, and more lorries to distribute it. The problem is that they were more prepared for what USUALLY happens at this time of year. Usually, the end of November is high wind, rain and lots of leaves blocking the drains, so that's what they were ready for - the grass cutters will still out just a couple of weeks ago!
Then, when the snow did fall (and it was thick very quickly) there was no benefit in distributing the grit because it would just sit in little piles on top of the high layer of snow. Even now, the roads are very rough becuase of the alternating high packed ice and the low pits where its melted (either from salt or motorists spinning wheels in low gears).

Its hard to plan for the unexpected. Not much easier to plan for the expected when it happens at unexpected times !

 

[Clip]

Cant find much about virgins plans between Glasgow and Manchester this weekend? Any help fellas?

 

[route:oxford]

Cant find much about virgins plans between Glasgow and Manchester this weekend? Any help fellas?

Same as usual. They don't operate between Glasgow & Manchester.

You'll need to take a look at the Transpeninne Express website.

www.tpexpress.co.uk