Birmingham-Cheltenham disruption Mon 31Jul

[zwk500]

I think the problem of resourcing wheel skates and the length of time taken to deploy them, has been raised on a number of occasions before on RailUKforums. Looks like "lessons will be learnt" never are...

And I'm sure DB (and all FOCs) have done the exercise where they examine the cost of the delays to them, multiplied by the risk of such happening, against the permanent cost of maintaining more wheelskate teams. The long and short of it is that these incidents are rare, especially such that they cannot be dragged into a loop on their own, and therefore the justification to maintain the capability is weak.
If somebody else wants FOCs to maintain skate teams on their behalf (e.g. RDG for the Franchise TOCs), I'm sure a financial solution could be reached but so far nobody seems to think it's worth it. Given it is in these company's interests to minimise delays, that would suggest that the "lesson" to learn here is that Wheelskate teams cost more than they save given modern maintenance and operating conditions.

 

[12LDA28C]

Obviously the Didcot team was unavailable or is it that Network Rail never go for the nearest team?

AFAIK the Didcot team were used, and the Toton team as per my earlier post. I believe it was the complexity of the operation and number of skates required that led to such a long delay before the train could be moved.

 

[irish_rail]

The XC network has been a bit of a mess today, it's fair to say. I got caught up in it all travelling back from Devon. Using Cheltenham Spa as an example, there were at least 35 cancelled services today. Most trains were rammed, as they each had passengers from at least 3 different trains on. There was very nearly fisticuffs on one of the ones I was on. Full and standing all down the aisles and someone somehow manages to negotiate their way down the aisle to try and claim their reserved seat. Person sitting in it holds their ground and says that seat reservations don't apply if the train is so busy, it's everyone for themself! No idea if that's true or not but it caused a "heated" discussion, shall I say. Second train I was on was also rammed but had a second 4 car Voyager coupled to the back with hundreds of empty seats, but it had to be left completely empty as there was only 1 member of the train crew apparently and they were in the front Voyager, although I never saw them.

This was my experience too. 4 car after 4 car voyager into Devon. Mwanwhile I saw 5 car sets on the Bristol to Manchester that appeared empty. I think XC need to rejig the unit diagrams to keep the 5 cars onto the busiest workings, only gonna get worse when HSTs go.

 

[The Planner]

This was my experience too. 4 car after 4 car voyager into Devon. Mwanwhile I saw 5 car sets on the Bristol to Manchester that appeared empty. I think XC need to rejig the unit diagrams to keep the 5 cars onto the busiest workings, only gonna get worse when HSTs go.

Remember that Bristol Manchester interwork Bournemouth Manchester.

 

[2192]

Will any make of wheelskate fit any make of wagon/carriage?

 

[irish_rail]

Remember that Bristol Manchester interwork Bournemouth Manchester.

And thats my point. The unit diagramming needs looking at. Its just such a waste when your on a full and standing 4 car coming from Plymouth and there's a 5 car sat there with about 3 people on it. Trouble is, the 4 cars really are only fit for the Bristol to Manchester and the Reading to Newcastle. Plymouth to Scotland and Bournemouth Manchester should all be 5 cars , although i guess not enough of them. If only some 5 car sets were due to come off lease at another TOC......

 

[Falcon1200]

Network rail won’t choose where the team come from, that will be down to DB or which ever company they approach to do the skating.

Indeed; 'Back in my day', and maybe still now, a requirement for wheelskates was classed as a train failure and therefore the relevant Train Operator was responsible for taking the lead.

 

[Lewisham2221]

And thats my point. The unit diagramming needs looking at. Its just such a waste when your on a full and standing 4 car coming from Plymouth and there's a 5 car sat there with about 3 people on it. Trouble is, the 4 cars really are only fit for the Bristol to Manchester and the Reading to Newcastle. Plymouth to Scotland and Bournemouth Manchester should all be 5 cars , although i guess not enough of them. If only some 5 car sets were due to come off lease at another TOC......

I know it's a case of "robbing Peter to pay Paul", but I've often thought it would make more sense to run the doubled up sets as 8 cars, allowing more of the single sets to be 5 car

 

[irish_rail]

I know it's a case of "robbing Peter to pay Paul", but I've often thought it would make more sense to run the doubled up sets as 8 cars, allowing more of the single sets to be 5 car

Agree. Though I don't think there are enough sets now for doubling thanks to the reintroduction of the Bristol to Manchester and Reading to Newcastle. And going to get even worse from September post HST.

 

[Jimini]

Agree. Though I don't think there are enough sets now for doubling thanks to the reintroduction of the Bristol to Manchester and Reading to Newcastle. And going to get even worse from September post HST.

Indeed... and the reinstatement of the hourly Manchester <> Bournemouth service (previously terminated at Reading every other hour).

 

[crosscity]

It looks like the train was moved to the loop at Ashchurch. There's also a DB 66 on a skate in Gloucester yard.

Since early this morning (Wed 03Aug around 01:30) the following has been in the Haresfield Loop:
8Z92 2357 Gloucester -Swindon Cocklebury 'wagon Maintenance trip' with the following message on Railcam:
CANCELLED EN ROUTE 2023-08-03 04:57 @ 68136 Delays due to national, regional or route operations directives, or route control decisions or directive.

Realtimetrains says "This service was cancelled between Haresfield Loop and Swindon Cocklebury due to late running caused by the decision of route control (OD)."

Another source says there were three locos there. Does anyone know what this train is, and is it connected to Monday's fun at Spetchley?

 

[800001]

Con

Since early this morning (Wed 03Aug around 01:30) the following has been in the Haresfield Loop:
8Z92 2357 Gloucester -Swindon Cocklebury 'wagon Maintenance trip' with the following message on Railcam:
CANCELLED EN ROUTE 2023-08-03 04:57 @ 68136 Delays due to national, regional or route operations directives, or route control decisions or directive.

Realtimetrains says "This service was cancelled between Haresfield Loop and Swindon Cocklebury due to late running caused by the decision of route control (OD)."

Another source says there were three locos there. Does anyone know what this train is, and is it connected to Monday's fun at Spetchley?

Yes from Mondays fun, believe the skates got very very hot

 

[Whistler40145]

Con

Yes from Mondays fun, believe the skates got very very hot

I wonder if the skates were struggling with the weight of the wagons?

 

[GC class B1]

I wonder if the skates were struggling with the weight of the wagons?

I wouldn’t be surprised. From memory going back about 40 years the skate wheel bearings are highly loaded and have a limited life which if I remember correctly meant the bearings had to be renewed after a number of uses.

 

[hello]

Con

Yes from Mondays fun, believe the skates got very very hot

Nothing to do with Monday, is a loco that had been in glos yard on a skate for a few days before hand