East Coast Scuppered

[junglejames]

The best contingency plan, and feasible, is to get the drivers to sign the road from Kings X to Peterborough via Cambridge and Ely.
Trains can then be diverted via Cambridge. HSTs would have no problem. The 67 at Kings X would be out shuttling to and fro between London and Peterborough.
Try and search out another 67 somewhere close by as well.

 

[jon0844]

Have given up trying to get from Biggleswade to London this mooring. FCC appear to have given up the ghost on providing any useful information - the data given to Live Departures is mostly a work of fiction, train are running with delays of over an hour, their website contains only a list of cancelled trains and some rescheduled ones, but without actually telling you any intermediate stop timings or which of the other services are delayed.

Well, the information being given to the public at stations and on the platforms must be a nightmare.. I am not working today (very lucky!) but it is things like this that must be testing the new FCC CIS to the limits - and yet I bet it isn't working at all. I bet it's showing cancelled trains from earlier today at the top of the summary screens (such that you won't see up to date services).

I bet the screen at platform 1 at Hatfield is turned off still (as it has been for 3+ weeks) so it just says 'for info call...'.

I am also sure that the reasons are all over the place - and say things like the train was cancelled 'due to emergency' (missing the next bit saying engineering work, making it sound far more serious!).

Passengers will not have a clue what is going on, and the staff will probably not have much more and be getting all the usual moans and groans from people who got up at the normal time today and expected everything to be fine, had no contingency plans of their own and will obviously say 'but they can run things fine in Europe'!

 

[philjo]

Yes, the screen on platform 1 at Hatfield was off this morning, as were the ones at Stevenage - which were directing you to phone for information or visit wagn.co.uk !


WGC platfrom 2 screens were blank other than showing the time & a windows "some icons are unused" message!
Potters Bar screens working normally, as were those at Hitchin.
Letchworth screens working normally but the service showing on the screens kept changing as the fast train moved a couple of minutes earlier/later than one due to start out of the sidings (which is never announced these days anyway - though today a 5 minute delay announcement was made when the train was in the platform)
For once the announcement of the 07:09 fast train being 4 coaches turned out to be correct - it has being saying this in the new system even though it is usually 8 coaches after Cambridge. But the service from Kings Lynn was only 4 coaches so very full & running 12 minutes late - though the screens still said it was 8 coaches

 

[stut]

Well, the information being given to the public at stations and on the platforms must be a nightmare.. I am not working today (very lucky!) but it is things like this that must be testing the new FCC CIS to the limits - and yet I bet it isn't working at all. I bet it's showing cancelled trains from earlier today at the top of the summary screens (such that you won't see up to date services).

I bet the screen at platform 1 at Hatfield is turned off still (as it has been for 3+ weeks) so it just says 'for info call...'.

I am also sure that the reasons are all over the place - and say things like the train was cancelled 'due to emergency' (missing the next bit saying engineering work, making it sound far more serious!).

Passengers will not have a clue what is going on, and the staff will probably not have much more and be getting all the usual moans and groans from people who got up at the normal time today and expected everything to be fine, had no contingency plans of their own and will obviously say 'but they can run things fine in Europe'!

Thing is, though, there is clearly information getting through to Live Departure Boards (not just the at-station screens) but, this morning, it was completely inaccurate. The FCC website gave scant information, other than to say that LDB was inaccurate. Even the best informed commuter (check websites before leaving, check iPhone app en route) is going to find themselves unstuck.

(Actually, the Biggleswade departure boards have been working fairly well recently, after a space of telling us to look at www.wagn.co.uk for information )

As for contingency plans, well, there's not much you can do from Biggleswade. Bus to Bedford, if it's running, then an equally disrupted train service from there? I suppose there's a bus every two hours to Hitchin if you're lucky. You could try and get one of the coaches from there, if you're early enough. Which, of course, you won't be by the time you find out that your train is cancelled.

Working from home, OK, that's fine, but not when a client's paying you to be onsite. Oh well, there goes another day's pay...

(And yes, I know things don't always run perfectly 'in Europe'. I've had snow delays on Oslo commuter trains before now!)

 

[jon0844]

The information fed to the CIS is wrong, then it's chaos for all - including staff who would get the same 'feed'.

Usually it's just the new FCC system messing up, so perhaps they can be excused on this one occasion.

As I've said in another thread, perhaps if trains could be 'linked' to others you could get more accurate information. Many services show as 'on time' (or 'no report') when it's obvious that they'll not run - as they aren't there. If a delayed train that formed that service was linked, the system could alert you ahead of time.

At Hatfield, many services start at WGC and therefore a check on my phone will more often than not show it as being 'on time' but when I arrive at the station, I can see that the 'no report' ends up becoming 'delayed' or even the dreaded estimated in time+<nn> minutes even when it STILL hasn't departed.

We've had situations where northbound services are halted, so WGC was devoid of trains that could start back to London. But, again, did the screens show this? Not until someone manually cancels them - but some are reinstated later and run as 'ghost trains' as far as the CIS is concerned. Then only people who waited on the platform get the benefit of them running!

 

[philjo]

FCC website is now saying a revised timetable is in operation on GN route - looks like a variation of the off peak emergency timetable - 2tph KX-PBo & 2tph KX-Cambridge.

http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/static/filemanager/Great_Northern_revised_tt.pdf

power failure meaning no service Finsbury Park-Moorgate at present.

 

[jon0844]

That information isn't going to make it to the boards/screens though will it? Or if it does, the old services will still be kept on there to make it even more confusing.

I wonder if they'll switch off all the screens to avoid further confusion.

Presumably the passenger numbers will be vastly down this week as many people finished work last Friday?

 

[Clip]

Can any one update me on whats going on with EC? Got family stuck on a train near edinburgh and im not at work so cant check.. thanks

 

[Aictos]

Indeed trains aren't running between Finsbury Park and Moorgate as the 3rd rail at Drayton Park is iced over meaning 313s cannot change over to the DC at Drayton Park, I suppose what would be ideal is for the 3rd rail to be extended back to Finsbury Park for Platforms 1, 5 and 6 only for operational convenience then have trains change over there.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Clip:

There's signalling problems between Edinburgh and Newcastle, I think it's at Berwick Upon Tweed but nothing seems to be moving between the two cities.

 

[starrymarkb]

Either that or extend the OHLE into the tunnel - IIRC there is a contact wire as far has Highbury incase any pantos don't lock down.

 

[gingerheid]

Can any one update me on whats going on with EC? Got family stuck on a train near edinburgh and im not at work so cant check.. thanks

Delays of up to 2.5 hours on trains from Edinburgh it seems

 

[Clip]

Delays of up to 2.5 hours on trains from Edinburgh it seems

Ouch.. cheers for the info..

 

[YorkshireRider]

Yeah there was a total signal failure at Berwick earlier this am, only trains that were going through were HSTs via Carlisle, this was at half 9 this am, not sure what the score is now

 

[Rimcdo]

Due to go from Bury St Edmunds at 1430 today then onto the 1557 to Leeds. Looks highly likely to be cancelled/delayed. The BBC have just said eastcoast are advising passengers not to travel. Will I get a refund for my advance tickets if it transpires that the Leeds train runs on time (or 29 mins late!)? If so will I be eligible for a refund for my onward train (Leeds - Stalybridge)? Cheers

 

[jon0844]

Either that or extend the OHLE into the tunnel - IIRC there is a contact wire as far has Highbury incase any pantos don't lock down.

What about some relatively cheap options, like investing in a bigger shelter for Drayton Park that would keep the snow/rain out in the first place. Erect a side wall on the exposed side and job done?

Or just install heaters or have people there deicing. It's one single weak spot that can surely be fixed without extending wires or rails in either direction.

 

[PTF62]

FCC website now spewing utter garbage.

Showing all the normally scheduled trains to Peterborough as cancelled but no mention of any emergency timetable at all.

 

[philjo]

Coming home this evening, the departure summary screens at Potters Bar were showing the normal timetable with everything shown as either cancleled or very (60+ minutes) late.
The platform monitors just said "emergency timetable in operation please phone ... for details"
The Cambridge train turned up on time as per the emergency timetable shown on the website - but if you had just arrived at the station you wouldn't know that - the screens made it look like you were in fro an exceedingly lond wait. No announcements, though a few stations were making manual accouncements - e.g. Stevenage & Hitchin.

 

[PTF62]

And for FCC customers the last direct train to Peterborough tonight from London is the emergency timetabled 19:52, and the last direct train south is the 20:02 from Peterborough. After that buses between Biggleswade and Huntingdon. Not fun.

And just to make sure their customers are well informed the FCC website is showing the 19:52 as both running and cancelled on the live departures. Nothing like keeping your options open.

And I love the statement about tomorrow - "Network Rail is confident it will be able to offer track, signalling and other infrastructure for us to operate to our normal, full timetable. However, we strongly advise you to check the Live updates page before you set out."

 

[googolplex]

I'm currently sat just south of Berwick. The guard said there might be a power supply issue and another train was going to inspect, which to me suggests there may be OHLE issues. A train (looked like a Voyager from the glance I got) went past southbound on the northbound track at speed, so not sure if that is the one sent to investigate.

Update: Just seen the driver walk past the train on the northbound track. The train in front of us has failed so we're going back to Berwick on Tweed to run down the other track.

Update 2: The driver has just walked back through the train to the front. Turns out we can't reverse and go down the other line due to frozen points.

 

[43167]

If East Coast were to run a shuttle service between Kings Cross and Peterborough calling at Stevenage and Cambridge only, I guess it would need at minimum 2 HSTs.

Alternatively, East Coast could use the 67s which is usually at Doncaster/Peterborough and Kings Cross to drag a 91 set between Peterborough and Ely alternatively which would mean hopefully a hourly service to and from Kings Cross/Stevenage.

I agree with that. Intercity used to do that when WCML trains were diverted down the MML. 47 on at Nuneaton, off at Bedford, 86/87/90 into St Pancras. Something that could easily done on the ECML if they put their minds too it. Certainly beats going been put on a road coach. Fair enough if there is no other way route for trains to go, but when there is, it should be used.

 

[jon0844]

And for FCC customers the last direct train to Peterborough tonight from London is the emergency timetabled 19:52, and the last direct train south is the 20:02 from Peterborough. After that buses between Biggleswade and Huntingdon. Not fun.

And just to make sure their customers are well informed the FCC website is showing the 19:52 as both running and cancelled on the live departures. Nothing like keeping your options open.

And I love the statement about tomorrow - "Network Rail is confident it will be able to offer track, signalling and other infrastructure for us to operate to our normal, full timetable. However, we strongly advise you to check the Live updates page before you set out."

I knew that would happen. It's how it happened the last time we had snow and an emergency timetable.

If anyone says 'we will investigate what went wrong and seek to ensure it doesn't happen again', ignore them.

 

[TheBigD]

I agree with that. Intercity used to do that when WCML trains were diverted down the MML. 47 on at Nuneaton, off at Bedford, 86/87/90 into St Pancras. Something that could easily done on the ECML if they put their minds too it. Certainly beats going been put on a road coach. Fair enough if there is no other way route for trains to go, but when there is, it should be used.

East coast did eventually run 2 HST's via Cambridge. 2000 ex KGX and 2200 ex DON. Assisted by DBS crews. Grand Central ran 1 SUN-KGX via CBG.

43307 43208. 43123 43468. 43206 43309 for those interested!

 

[googolplex]

Looks like nothing at all is running southbound between Berwick-Upon-Tweed and Newcastle due to a failed train just south of Berwick. Northbound however seems unaffected.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
We've been sat here for 2 hours and the information about the problem has only just appeared on the National Rail website, which isn't very good. No update as of yet on the East Coast website either.
Seems communication isn't one of the railway's strong points!

------
This is turning into a bit of a soliloquy now with me speaking to myself!
Looks like we're going to go and try to help the failed train now. Does anybody know what happened to the rescue locomotive?

 

[Clip]

Looks like nothing at all is running southbound between Berwick-Upon-Tweed and Newcastle due to a failed train just south of Berwick. Northbound however seems unaffected.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
We've been sat here for 2 hours and the information about the problem has only just appeared on the National Rail website, which isn't very good. No update as of yet on the East Coast website either.
Seems communication isn't one of the railway's strong points!

------
This is turning into a bit of a soliloquy now with me speaking to myself!
Looks like we're going to go and try to help the failed train now. Does anybody know what happened to the rescue locomotive?

Family who were meant to catch the 1030 from Edinburgh never made it home to kent till 8pm tonight.. they were on the thing for housr

 

[googolplex]

Family who were meant to catch the 1030 from Edinburgh never made it home to kent till 8pm tonight.. they were on the thing for housr

That's not good. Hopefully they didn't have any little kids.
We're still sat south of Berwick, but are now coupled to the failed train in front. I don't think the rescue loco's arrived yet!
We've been here about 3 hours now. I was supposed to be in Stevenage 15 minutes ago. I've seen some little children about and I think some of the parents have tried to put them to bed on the train.

 

[YorkshireRider]

Would appear the 1550 Glasgow to Kings X has failed, now been stood well over 4 hours, can only assume frozen points are preventing single line working

 

[googolplex]

Would appear the 1550 Glasgow to Kings X has failed, now been stood well over 4 hours, can only assume frozen points are preventing single line working

That is the case. A Voyager went past us on the other line not long after we stopped. I think it was deployed to check the state of the OHLE.
We were then told we were going to reverse back to Berwick and use single line working to pass the failed train, however 15 minutes later were told that wasn't happening due to frozen points.
There wasn't any northbound traffic for a while either, however that's resumed again now - seems to be pretty much minimum spacing between them though, so I'm not sure if they've got queued or it's the traffic pattern at this time of night.
Edit: I'm on the 14:50 Aberdeen - Kings X immediately behind the failed train (we're now coupled to it).

 

[Clip]

That's not good. Hopefully they didn't have any little kids.
We're still sat south of Berwick, but are now coupled to the failed train in front. I don't think the rescue loco's arrived yet!
We've been here about 3 hours now. I was supposed to be in Stevenage 15 minutes ago. I've seen some little children about and I think some of the parents have tried to put them to bed on the train.

Nah was just the olds but they didnt mind as they luckily got first class but said the first train they did get was rammed.

 

[googolplex]

Nah was just the olds but they didnt mind as they luckily got first class but said the first train they did get was rammed.

I'm in first at the minute. There seem to be good sales of alcohol following our delay! We're not likely to be moving for another 30-45 minutes.

 

[YorkshireRider]

That is the case. A Voyager went past us on the other line not long after we stopped. I think it was deployed to check the state of the OHLE.
We were then told we were going to reverse back to Berwick and use single line working to pass the failed train, however 15 minutes later were told that wasn't happening due to frozen points.
There wasn't any northbound traffic for a while either, however that's resumed again now - seems to be pretty much minimum spacing between them though, so I'm not sure if they've got queued or it's the traffic pattern at this time of night.
Edit: I'm on the 14:50 Aberdeen - Kings X immediately behind the failed train (we're now coupled to it).

Jesus! Looks like your in for a long night. Cant see the HST your on going any further than Doncaster as they will need it at Neville Hill for the morning:cry: