WCML wires down near Watford (02/01)

[MrJeeves]

Looks like 1S52 brought the OHEL down (either physically or just in a fault-causing sense) just before Wembley Central on the way out of Euston this morning, at least judging by the position of the blocks and the fact it's not moved for about 1½ hours.

 

[Howardh]

I'm sat at home waiting to get to Picc for the 1415 to MKC. Probably gonna be very delayed (train coming in prob delayed by lots), dunno if I can get to Wigan and use one from there as I have an advanced ticket for the 1415 (dep Picc).

No ticket acceptance from LNW

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Yes, driver of 1S52 reported loud bang and flashing in or near Kensal Green tunnel.

OHLE staff reported damaged contact wire in front of the train.

Plan seems to be a wrong direction movement back towards Euston.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jan 2024 ==

No ticket acceptance from LNW

May change soon.

 

[MrJeeves]

May change soon.

Was announced acceptance, then pulled about 15 mins later...

Very helpful Avanti.

 

[Howardh]

Yes, driver of 1S52 reported loud bang and flashing in or near Kensal Green tunnel.

OHLE staff reported damaged contact wire in front of the train.

Plan seems to be a wrong direction movement back towards Euston.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jan 2024 ==


May change soon.

There was acceptance but shortly after was recinded, so some might already be on LNW

There is now acceptance with Cross Country

 

[800001]

Looks like 1S52 brought the OHEL down (either physically or just in a fault-causing sense) just before Wembley Central on the way out of Euston this morning, at least judging by the position of the blocks and the fact it's not moved for about 1½ hours.

View attachment 149530

1S52 is not believed to of caused the issue, this driver has changed ends and is awaiting a block to be given up before returning to Euston in a wrong direction move.

The wires are down on UP Fast, with wire hanging onto down fast.

1A15 reported a flash and bang via gsmr and had pantograph damage.

 

[glasgowniteowl]

From a friend at avanti, 1A21 has panto graph damage and wires down on the up fast, issue with the wires in front of 1s52 on down fast, 1s52 due to set back to eus

 

[Russel]

Another day of chaos and cancellations on the WCML then...

How we have enough passengers left to suffer from overcrowding with a service this shoddy is beyond me.

 

[142blue]

New Year, same old

 

[modernrail]

Looks like my November - December record of journeys with 100% of journeys delayed by over an hour will live strong into 2024.

Is it a total blockage or are they getting some stuff through?

 

[midland1]

Looks like up fast reopened.

 

[Howardh]

Appears mine, 1415, is scheduled to leave 1428. If it leaves by 1500 I'll call it a plus!

Delayed at Bolton trying to get to Picc.

 

[CHAPS2034]

Looks like my November - December record of journeys with 100% of journeys delayed by over an hour will live strong into 2024.

Please let us know when you are out and about and we can try to avoid those dates..

 

[jfollows]

Is it a total blockage or are they getting some stuff through?

Slow lines were used for some services.

 

[modernrail]

Please let us know when you are out and about and we can try to avoid those dates..

My advice - never catch a train that includes Peterborough in the title. Sad to see the WCML start catching up with Peterborough for OHL problems. It only used to be everything else other than the OHL.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jan 2024 ==

Slow lines were used for some services.

Thanks

 

[londonmidland]

I’d remain weary for anyone travelling north of out the London Terminals this afternoon and evening.

We have an Amber Wind warning for the Home Counties and East Anglia for this evening. Inland gusts expected to be around 50-60mph. That combined with rush hour travel doesn’t make for a great mix.

 

[stevetay3]

The railways are getting ridiculous now and becoming unusable, now with all the petty rules, ticket acceptances etc. A train ticket is for a train for gods sake if the next one does not turn up you should be allowed to travel asp after and not have to seek permission from staff, some who make there own rules and class passengers as a problem not someone who pays there wages.

 

[Howardh]

The railways are getting ridiculous now and becoming unusable, now with all the petty rules, ticket acceptances etc. A train ticket is for a train for gods sake if the next one does not turn up you should be allowed to travel asp after and not have to seek permission from staff, some who make there own rules and class passengers as a problem not someone who pays there wages.

Yes, if I reach Milton Keynes (hotel) I'll probably bin my night out in London tonight, simply isn't worth the hassle and worry about cancellations and getting back. Should not be like this, especially with sky high fares.

 

[TheSmiths82]

The railways are getting ridiculous now and becoming unusable, now with all the petty rules, ticket acceptances etc. A train ticket is for a train for gods sake if the next one does not turn up you should be allowed to travel asp after and not have to seek permission from staff, some who make there own rules and class passengers as a problem not someone who pays there wages.

This is a massive problem, I was coming back from Euston in October when it all went wrong, they allowed me on an earlier train because all the later ones were delayed or cancelled, but I never got that in writing, just some random member of staff told me I could get it, so I was worried for the entire journey that a ticket inspector would come and say my ticket wasn't valid. In the end nobody checked my ticket on the train, and the barriers at Manchester Piccadilly were open probably because nobody was on the train they were supposed to be on.

 

[Peter0124]

Maybe in times of disruption there should be a blanket easement of advance tickets were anyone can board ANY train that day via a reasonable route.

 

[Howardh]

Maybe in times of disruption there should be a blanket easement of advance tickets were anyone can board ANY train that day via a reasonable route.

Yes, any ticket any train on a reasonable route. Makes total sense, and all TOCs should have to take them.

 

[stevetay3]

Maybe in times of disruption there should be a blanket easement of advance tickets were anyone can board ANY train that day via a reasonable route.

Or just do away with advances?

Just re nationalise ticket acceptance then does not exist, yes get rid of Advance fares charge reasonable normal fares.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Do away with TOC specific ticketing, irrespective of ticket type!

I know acceptance was initially offered, but I believe due to how rammed the few LNWR services were that escaped Euston, and with NR requesting a Euston-Northampton and Northampton - New St shuttle service, acceptance was the removed.

Not sure how many trains got through the slow lines, but I bet it wasn't pretty

 

[Howardh]

So, it's 1446 and I'm on the 1415, and there seem to be more suitcases than pax!
Anyhow, should be moving shortly* and I'll spend my delay repay on the bar.

Note to self, never, ever travel on Jan 2nd.

*Famous last words and all that.

Edit; Trains full and fully declassified. Glad I only had a standard ticket then!

 

[stevetay3]

Do away with TOC specific ticketing, irrespective of ticket type!

I know acceptance was initially offered, but I believe due to how rammed the few LNWR services were that escaped Euston, and with NR requesting a Euston-Northampton and Northampton - New St shuttle service, acceptance was the removed.

Not sure how many trains got through the slow lines, but I bet it wasn't pretty

Yes do away with TOCs what happened GBR

 

[modernrail]

I am amazed and slightly confused to report I landed into Euston on time after a very easy verging on lovely journey. Made even better by the feeling of being fairly cosy with nasty weather outside.

We even seemed to go through the affected area as what felt like line speed.

Sorry for those whose journey has not been as easy.

 

[Howardh]

Just my luck, missed the full delay repay by 2 mins!!

 

[Boodiggy]

I am amazed and slightly confused to report I landed into Euston on time after a very easy verging on lovely journey. Made even better by the feeling of being fairly cosy with nasty weather outside.

We even seemed to go through the affected area as what felt like line speed.

Sorry for those whose journey has not been as easy.

UP FAST was opened without restriction. DOWN FAST has OLE repairs planned tonight.

 

[Tester]

Maybe in times of disruption there should be a blanket easement of advance tickets were anyone can board ANY train that day via a reasonable route.

This is absolutely correct.

It would be very straightforward to have a clear rule that a restricted ticket becomes an anytime ticket without further ado if the booked service is disrupted.

Hardly unprecedented - DB do exactly this.

 

[Russel]

Just my luck, missed the full delay repay by 2 mins!!

That's just reminded me, I've still not heard anything from my claim for full delay repay from when the WCML collapsed on 21st December with LNWR...

If things carry on like this, they'll need to employ more claims handlers!