Honiton tunnel landslip (again) (20/08/24)

[pompeyfan]

Network Rail and SWR are reporting via X there has been a significant landslip around Honiton tunnel on the Exeter - Salisbury line.

We're really sorry for the disruption our @SW_Help passengers are experiencing because of a landslip which has blocked the line between Honiton and Axminster. /1

x.com

x.com

Looking at the pictures in the X thread it looks like the line could be shut for a couple of days.

I wonder if it will be possible to get crew in place to provide a shuttle service. Looks like there is 5 units trapped down there (which won’t help the already serious short forms)

 

[yorksrob]

I wonder whether they may as well just extend the tunnel. That cutting always seems very deep to me.

 

[geoffk]

I see that the sole GWR service 2L92 ran, as far as Honiton, and also ran back to Exeter in service as 2L91. Are there no SWR crews in Exeter who could run a similar service? This kind of situation must be one which GBR should aim to overcome.

 

[pompeyfan]

I see that the sole GWR service 2L92 ran, as far as Honiton, and also ran back to Exeter in service as 2L91. Are there no SWR crews in Exeter who could run a similar service? This kind of situation must be one which GBR should aim to overcome.

If the SWR crew stuck down there run shuttles, they’re not in place to run services east from Axminster etc. that’s assuming they’re not already at the end of their day and due to finish.

An SWR crew depot at Exeter might help, but would also hinder as you’d lose the ability to terminate short of any incident and any crew based at Exeter would probably already be the wrong side of blockage.

 

[swt_passenger]

I see that the sole GWR service 2L92 ran, as far as Honiton, and also ran back to Exeter in service as 2L91. Are there no SWR crews in Exeter who could run a similar service? This kind of situation must be one which GBR should aim to overcome.

There isn't an SWR Exeter depot, and IIRC they’ve never succeeded in running a shuttle when this has happened before.

 

[pompeyfan]

Looks like crew for 2 round trips have been resourced, 1Z80/1Z81/1Z82/1Z83

 

[Grecian 1998]

Looking at the photos on X, it appears the landslip is at the western end this time, as the track is on the downside of the old formation. The cutting also looks relatively shallow - the cutting at the eastern end is deeper and longer. The eastern end is the one which has been primarily causing problems in recent years AFAIK.

 

[brad465]

Has Honiton tunnel had form for landslips either side? I know Crewkerne Tunnel has been the real bug-bearer in recent times.

 

[Donny Dave]

The route has been reopened, albeit with a 50mph limit.

 

[embers25]

And numerous lengthy delays...including delaying the late 1725 London train further to run the pointless GWR Axminster one on time literally right in front if it for no reason. It was cancelled and should not have been reinstated. Utter madness. Also, as SWR had to rescue stranded trains, we've gone from the 1725 being a 2 or 3 coach services to being a 10 coach one lol.

 

[JUMOUK]

Lines now shut again due to further slippage, lines closed until at least 1200 tomorrow

 

[Ashley Hill]

There isn't an SWR Exeter depot, and IIRC they’ve never succeeded in running a shuttle when this has happened before.

There is always the option of ferrying Yeovil crews in a taxi for shuttle services. Some GWR staff also sign 159s and the route to Yeovil but that would mean SWR hiring them in.

 

[pompeyfan]

There is always the option of ferrying Yeovil crews in a taxi for shuttle services. Some GWR staff also sign 159s and the route to Yeovil but that would mean SWR hiring them in.

You could taxi them from Yeovil, but only if they’re spare / As required. Using booked crew wouldn’t work as the journey time is significantly longer by taxi, and would cause them to be late for their next working.

 

[JUMOUK]

Further movement today, line closed again and SWR running replacement buses to Axminister but not on a time table

x.com

x.com

 

[embers25]

Good job Network Rail were so quick to pat themselves on the back for this mess again. Why oh why are heads not rolling there over the joke of the crazy number of landslips, points and signal issues on the West of England line. SWR killed service reliability with their Yeovil depot but Network Rail have compounded this.

 

[pompeyfan]

Good job Network Rail were so quick to pat themselves on the back for this mess again. Why oh why are heads not rolling there over the joke of the crazy number of landslips, points and signal issues on the West of England line. SWR killed service reliability with their Yeovil depot but Network Rail have compounded this.

How do you work out the Yeovil depot killed service reliability?

NR are blaming a burst water main to cause the slip which would make sense as there hasn’t been excessive rain recently.

 

[richw]

My wife travelled Liskeard - Exeter st David’s to Gatwick on Wednesday. She was booked via SWR advanced tickets via a change at Clapham junction. (£30 return versus £143 on GWR, split tickets I purchased for her through this forum)

Ticket acceptance was in place with GWR. Whilst no mention of TFL and Victoria to Clapham/ Gatwick the TFL staff let her through the barriers to the underground without any hesitation, and one member of staff at Paddington gave her advice on getting to Gatwick. No delay repay this time, she got to Gatwick half an hour early!

 

[AndyPJG]

Good job Network Rail were so quick to pat themselves on the back for this mess again. Why oh why are heads not rolling there over the joke of the crazy number of landslips, points and signal issues on the West of England line. SWR killed service reliability with their Yeovil depot but Network Rail have compounded this.

Further movement today, line closed again and SWR running replacement buses to Axminister but not on a time table

x.com

x.com

Quote from the aforementioned link:-

We're sorry to customers for the continued disruption between Axminster and Honiton. An external ground water source has caused the landslip which has led to spoil moving onto the line. We're working at pace on the track to resolve the issue. Engineers will work through the night monitoring the situation and carry out work if needed

(my bold)

 

[embers25]

How do you work out the Yeovil depot killed service reliability?

NR are blaming a burst water main to cause the slip which would make sense as there hasn’t been excessive rain recently.

Yeovil depot constantly cause delays to services abd cabxellations west of Yeovil. Every time the crews change they chat for ages (well beyond normal) adding several minutes which soon multiply.

Yes it was an external leak but it wouldn't have been an issue if the original landslip months ago hadn't been sorted properly.

At least the short forms improved so something positive. Not that SWR have admitted the reason for them still, despite it being posted in several places now.

Also not adding ticket acceptance until after the 0652 to Paddington has left is ridiculous and deliberate.

 

[vikingdriver]

Yeovil depot constantly cause delays to services abd cabxellations west of Yeovil. Every time the crews change they chat for ages (well beyond normal) adding several minutes which soon multiply.

What rubbish! As a driver from this line, if we are chatting it's because passengers are still boarding or alighting or the signal protecting the single line is at danger!

 

[embers25]

100% not as I can see the green signal and westbound few board at Yeovil and people usually get off quickly and mill on the platform. The crew changes are almost always slow, on a line with VERY tight timings at passing points these minutes add up (even with the small pathing outside Axminster). These issues never really happened prior to Yeovil opening. I get there may need to be things to hand over and there is no time usually scheduled for the crew change, but it's amazing how much faster a crew change including decoupling almost always happens at Salisbury. They need to add time to the timetable for changes given the issue, but it's not possible without a recast affecting numerous other lines. It's just accepted that most days trains will arrive into Honiton and beyond 5-7 mins late (without landslip delays)

Also, whereas before once they left Salisbury trains rarely turned at Yeovil, now they do all the time and there is nowhere worse to be stuck. Usually the crew kick you off with little warning or sympathy, lock the unit and leave everyone to fend for themselves in the middle of nowhere. The WoE is now beyond a joke on all fronts, which really is sad as it was comfortably the best SWR line prior to SWR,Yeovil and Network Rail combining to ruin it. Yeovil was supposed to improve flexibility and resilience not make the line worse.

 

[pompeyfan]

100% not as I can see the green signal and westbound few board at Yeovil and people usually get off quickly and mill on the platform. The crew changes are almost always slow, on a line with VERY tight timings at passing points these minutes add up (even with the small pathing outside Axminster). These issues never really happened prior to Yeovil opening. I get there may need to be things to hand over and there is no time usually scheduled for the crew change, but it's amazing how much faster a crew change including decoupling almost always happens at Salisbury. They need to add time to the timetable for changes given the issue, but it's not possible without a recast affecting numerous other lines. It's just accepted that most days trains will arrive into Honiton and beyond 5-7 mins late (without landslip delays)

Also, whereas before once they left Salisbury trains rarely turned at Yeovil, now they do all the time and there is nowhere worse to be stuck. Usually the crew kick you off with little warning or sympathy, lock the unit and leave everyone to fend for themselves in the middle of nowhere. The WoE is now beyond a joke on all fronts, which really is sad as it was comfortably the best SWR line prior to SWR,Yeovil and Network Rail combining to ruin it. Yeovil was supposed to improve flexibility and resilience not make the line worse.

We’ll have to agree to disagree, that might be your experience but I can’t say I’ve noticed or agree with anything you’ve put there and I don’t feel like debating it currently.

 

[Llanigraham]

100% not as I can see the green signal and westbound few board at Yeovil and people usually get off quickly and mill on the platform. The crew changes are almost always slow, on a line with VERY tight timings at passing points these minutes add up (even with the small pathing outside Axminster). These issues never really happened prior to Yeovil opening. I get there may need to be things to hand over and there is no time usually scheduled for the crew change, but it's amazing how much faster a crew change including decoupling almost always happens at Salisbury. They need to add time to the timetable for changes given the issue, but it's not possible without a recast affecting numerous other lines. It's just accepted that most days trains will arrive into Honiton and beyond 5-7 mins late (without landslip delays)

Also, whereas before once they left Salisbury trains rarely turned at Yeovil, now they do all the time and there is nowhere worse to be stuck. Usually the crew kick you off with little warning or sympathy, lock the unit and leave everyone to fend for themselves in the middle of nowhere. The WoE is now beyond a joke on all fronts, which really is sad as it was comfortably the best SWR line prior to SWR,Yeovil and Network Rail combining to ruin it. Yeovil was supposed to improve flexibility and resilience not make the line worse.

Just because there is a green signal beyond a platform does not neccessarily mean that the train should have left. It just means the route has been set ready for the departure time.

 

[embers25]

Given at Yeovil you arrive almost always late, the green signal is not the cause of the platform delays. You often have time to get up and peer out the door and see the crew chatting, despite only usually being a one minute stop. That's how I know unloading is also complete, the light is green and its a crew delay.

Also, I note the line is closed AGAIN...surely at this point give up and just fix it before reopening. Also, I note no bus acceptance this time round yet, despite it being closed for over an hour already.

It's also really frustrating when you're dumped without help at Yeovil and there is no acceptance allowed on the 68 to Pen Mill and no acceptance allowed on GWR to Castle Cary so you can escape. The crew often advise returning to Salisbury, even when there is a rare Castle Cary train with a connection. Luckily GWR staff on that line are generally friendly and normally accept tickets, but is should be automatic now given the number of times Yeovil dumpings happen. It's even worse at night when there's nowhere to wait in the warm and the recently reopened cafe is closed. It's all right for the crews who can wait on the train or in their warm mess room.

 

[vikingdriver]

Given at Yeovil you arrive almost always late, the green signal is not the cause of the platform delays. You often have time to get up and peer out the door and see the crew chatting, despite only usually being a one minute stop. That's how I know unloading is also complete, the light is green and its a crew delay.

Talking is what drivers and guards do when handing over a train to their colleague. This is a safety critical and needs to be done.

 

[Dieseldriver]

Given at Yeovil you arrive almost always late, the green signal is not the cause of the platform delays. You often have time to get up and peer out the door and see the crew chatting, despite only usually being a one minute stop. That's how I know unloading is also complete, the light is green and its a crew delay.

I think the best thing you could do is directly tell them to hurry up

 

[embers25]

Talking is what drivers and guards do when handing over a train to their colleague. This is a safety critical and needs to be done.

Obviously hand over is safety critical and sometimes needs longer but not every time. It just usually takes much longer at Yeovil than at other places and on other companies. On other lines, in most cases such delays only affect that one train, but on the WoE it affects every train from then on, often for the whole rest of the day. Often they just grow and lead to 30 min waits at Honiton westbound and missing Andover, Woking and Clapham eastbound due to having to wait at Gillingham rather than passing at Tisbury. The timetable was never designed for crew changes at Yeovil and so usually has no allowance for them, hence the issue. Either they need to recast the whole thing (which is a nightmare) or remove the stupid Yeovil crew changes and go back to changing at Salisbury, bar beginning and end of day, (or finally open an Exeter depot) as it's madness to have a timetable that is so unrobust on a largely single track railway.

 

[richw]

My mate at Truronian has just messaged to say he’s been mobilised due to a further slip. (In the last hour at time of posting)

Truronian had 2 vehicles booked on standby at Exeter today already for SWR, so mobilisation was pretty quick.

 

[yorkie]

Just a gentle reminder that this thread relatex to a landslip; if anyone wants to discuss anything else, such as crew handovers, please create a new thread, thanks

 

[pompeyfan]

SWR X and website now saying disruption until at least middle of Sunday. Something causing a continuous slip by the sounds of things