FGW HST Diversions - December 2010

[turbo mick]

The Thames Valley signalling centre was fully commisioned at 0445 this morning 24hrs early so everything should be normall for new years eve then furher engineering taking place for a few days after

 

[Striker]

I was intrigued to hear the guard announce on the way into Waterloo on passing Wandsworth Town, that the toilets are now "out of service due to environmental reasons". Whats that all about?

 

[TheWalrus]

Could they modify the platforms at Esher and 8-16 at wat to take power cars?

 

[louis97]

Could they modify the platforms at Esher and 8-16 at wat to take power cars?

Speaking to the LTP diagrammer at FGW they are not cleared via Esher because of some bridges which can't support HST sets.

 

[TheWalrus]

Who Simon?

 

[Max]

On a service I caught on the 29th, the doors were opened at Banbury and the guard announced it as a stop!

 

[Via Bank]

I was intrigued to hear the guard announce on the way into Waterloo on passing Wandsworth Town, that the toilets are now "out of service due to environmental reasons". Whats that all about?

Presumably, because all lavatory-equipped stock on that part of the route (and, indeed, most of the SWML) has retention tanks. Mk 3s simply chuck out the contents onto the track.

Although exactly why this isn't in effect all the way from Basingstoke (or even Salisbury) is a mystery, since all SWT's lavatory-equipped stock (with the possible exception of a few 158s?) either was built with retention tanks, or later had them retrofitted. At a guess, it might be down to the frequency of the stations (i.e. greater risk of chucking out within range of platforms), and the fact that almost every track is next to a platform.

 

[louis97]

On a service I caught on the 29th, the doors were opened at Banbury and the guard announced it as a stop!

Same here for a service I caught in each direction on the 28th! Although the train manager was rather confusing, he explained it was for operational purposes over the PA, but then went onto say the doors will be unlocked, and you are welcome to alight. On the way back the train manager just said it was for operation purposes and that please do not attempt to open any doors, however he did unlock them.

 

[Striker]

Presumably, because all lavatory-equipped stock on that part of the route (and, indeed, most of the SWML) has retention tanks. Mk 3s simply chuck out the contents onto the track.

Although exactly why this isn't in effect all the way from Basingstoke (or even Salisbury) is a mystery,

Erm, because you can't expect passengers not to use the toilet for two hours? :roll:

In which case, why bother for the last 10 mins of the journey? There are more important things to worry about seeing as it's something which occurs over the rest of the network.

 

[swt_passenger]

Could they modify the platforms at Esher and 8-16 at wat to take power cars?

I doubt it's specifically Esher station. I think Esher just came up in the context of describing 'the route via Esher', ie 'not the route via Staines', if you see what I mean. 'Via Surbiton'. or 'via Wimbledon' would mean the same.

However, would additional structure changes be cost effective? AIUI the next total block at Reading is not for two years, everything between now and then is normal weekend possessions of mains or reliefs, but not usually both together.

 

[TheWalrus]

Depends how much it costs. It would give more flexibility in stock used on the line in future.

 

[MCR247]

But do they need? I can think of more worthy things for money to be spent on?

 

[TEW]

Same here for a service I caught in each direction on the 28th! Although the train manager was rather confusing, he explained it was for operational purposes over the PA, but then went onto say the doors will be unlocked, and you are welcome to alight. On the way back the train manager just said it was for operation purposes and that please do not attempt to open any doors, however he did unlock them.

The train manager advertised Banbury as a stop to allow for the driver to change ends just after we departed Oxford but in the end we reversed at Aynho Junction instead which was also explained by the TM.

 

[swt_passenger]

Depends how much it costs. It would give more flexibility in stock used on the line in future.

When the need arises is the best time to do it then.

It's a question of priorities. If NR start gauge clearing 'everywhere for anything' just because of what might happen in the future they'd be accused of wasting our money...

 

[TheWalrus]

True and I totally agree, just wondering is all.

 

[Daimler]

Well, I had my trip today - down to Taunton!

Was good fun, even if our train started from Basingstoke instead of Waterloo and we had to travel there on a 'special' non-stop 450...

Our return journey was via the Hounslow loop, which wasn't what I expected (I expected Richmond, but not Hounslow!) - is this the way they've been going all week?

 

[spark001uk]

Richmond on the way down and Hounslow on the way up. Apart from monday when they went Hounslow both ways. I did W'loo to Westbury and back on monday and again on thursday. Good fun, i got up crack of dawn on thurs to make it up for the 0833 off the blocks and there was a power failure in the buffet car so no hot food. Will have some vids on Youtube once i've found a decent vid editor!

 

[swt_passenger]

Richmond on the way down and Hounslow on the way up. Apart from monday when they went Hounslow both ways.

My train on Monday was Richmond up and Hounslow down though.

So all we need is someone to have done Richmond both ways and we'll have a full set...

 

[bnm]

On a service I caught on the 29th, the doors were opened at Banbury and the guard announced it as a stop!

As I also experienced on the 0830 BRI-PAD on Weds 29th. Gave me a quick opportunity (with the permission of the TM) to join the photters at the end of the platform at Banbury! The CIS showed the service as 'Terminates Here' from Oxford.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

My train on Monday was Richmond up and Hounslow down though.

So all we need is someone to have done Richmond both ways and we'll have a full set...

Been there, done that on a real HST set

 

[spark001uk]

I did contemplate asking the driver nicely if i could cab it, but i got the vibe it's not likely these days, not like in the good old BR days! It's probably an instant sacking these days isn't it?

 

[Rugd1022]

I did contemplate asking the driver nicely if i could cab it, but i got the vibe it's not likely these days, not like in the good old BR days! It's probably an instant sacking these days isn't it?

Pretty much, yes. A while back, one of our drivers was suspended for letting his daughter have a look inside his cab.... it's just not worth the risk anymore.

Nidge

 

[hstforever81]

i travelled on the Monday on the 08.18 from Westbury and the 14.26 from Waterloo. we clocked her doing 107mph at Hook, 105mph through Farnborough and 104mph through Pirbright .
also got a few vids up on youtube of the mighty HST's running through Farnborough Main and on Pirbright Curve, these were done on the Thursday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3tca...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSHn2...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0Tew...eature=related

 

[thefab444]

Are you sure it's wise posting that here?

 

[spark001uk]

Are you sure it's wise posting that here?

Which post, and to what are you referring?

 

[moonrakerz]

I did contemplate asking the driver nicely if i could cab it, but i got the vibe it's not likely these days, not like in the good old BR days! It's probably an instant sacking these days isn't it?

When the Class 395s were doing their ad-hoc test runs, my daughter and her boyfriend wandered down the platform (at Rochester, I believe) to look at the cab.
The driver appeared and invited them in for a guided tour - good man ! Simple acts like this gain far more goodwill that all the corporate babble from the management.

 

[thefab444]

Which post, and to what are you referring?

The one above mine.

 

[spark001uk]

The one above mine.

Ok. Which bit, the yt links?

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Ok. Which bit, the yt links?

I suggest you get rid of the parts about the speeds, and the timings of those services.

 

[moonrakerz]

I suggest you get rid of the parts about the speeds, and the timings of those services.

Why ?

1. There is a tolerance on the speed limit.
2. Why should passenger timings be taken as accurate ? They are still arguing about Charles Rous-Marten's timings