Mildmay Line meltdown (28/05)

[OvergroundMatt]

Even by the abysmal standards of London Overground’s Mildmay Line, this week’s service has been shocking. Dozens of cancellations every day blamed on a shortage of drivers. This evening there was almost no service at all. I don’t recall half term being a problem for LO before - does anyone have any insight into what’s going on here? (Image shows list of extensive cancellations)

 

[Class15]

This has never been a problem before and it’s really been quite concerning how suddenly the service has collapsed. It normally starts okay in the morning (not as good as normal, but okay) and by the afternoon you’ve got 40 minute gaps, everything delayed etc etc. it’s not a good look.

To give another example, I was trying to get back from Highbury yesterday having seen 4L67. There was nothing heading west for around 40 minutes, having just been 3 trains in a row. Two trains were stuck in the platforms at Stratford, presumably waiting on drivers. The first step to recover this situation has to be to even out which services run and which services don’t, to give at least a service every 15-20 minutes.

 

[Harratt4]

Displeased to report that of the 4/5 occasions I have tried to get the Mildmay line from Highbury an Islington over the past couple of weeks, I have not been delayed on zero occasions.

On the odd occasion a train has arrived on the platform on schedule it has promptly been terminated and everyone turfed off.

Had a 20 min wait at Stratford the other day too.

It appears to this casual user at least that things are getting worse not better!

(edited to remove and correct an autocorrect failure in the last time)

 

[800002]

Welcome to First Group operational issues.

I have heard stories, apparently, of bad times since the concession changed hands.

There may have been fundamental miscalculations for the winning bidder.

 

[Intercity_225]

Welcome to First Group operational issues.

I have heard stories, apparently, of bad times since the concession changed hands.

There may have been fundamental miscalculations for the winning bidder.

I thought Overground was Arriva owned?

 

[nadiarail]

I thought Overground was Arriva owned?

Its ran by first rail london (first group) since may 3rd

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

I thought Overground was Arriva owned?

It was operated by Arriva prior to first group taking over the operations contract for TfL

 

[Intercity_225]

Its ran by first rail london (first group) since may 3rd

It was operated by Arriva prior to first group taking over the operations contract for TfL

Thanks guys, the more you know!

 

[OvergroundMatt]

Operations have got significantly worse since First took over. Almost from the first week! What are they doing so differently that would cause such a deterioration?

 

[rmHawk765]

Doesn't the NLL suffer from the massive operational bottleneck of sharing the route with freight, which is an issue no franchisee can do anything about?

 

[800002]

Thanks guys, the more you know!

And the more you see...

I'm led to belive an 'exodus ' of staff has occurred.
I do not however have substantiated details.

also, poor bid quality / understanding of technical parameters may have made First group a preferable concessionaire for TfL.

 

[Business Bob]

And the more you see...

I'm led to belive an 'exodus ' of staff has occurred.
I do not however have substantiated details.

also, poor bid quality / understanding of technical parameters may have made First group a preferable concessionaire for TfL.

There has been a loss of approximately 15+/- drivers at Willesden to other TOCs and lateral transfers to other depots with retirements etc. Plus the new timetables introduced 4 new diagrams of WLL shuttles that need to be covered taking priority over others due to the external funding for them. Willesden's been under compliment for a while as Arriva slacked on recruitment but Willesden just gained 10 newly qualified, another 10 to qualify Sept and another 5 in Jan. All this combined with summer hols, annual leave, lack of RDW volunteers and serviceable units has FRL just cancelling circuits. And yes word is they seriously under estimated their bid and how much RDW is needed!

 

[Harratt4]

WLL shuttles that need to be covered taking priority over others due to the external funding for them.

Is that West London Line? I am not familiar - who is it funded by if not TfL.

 

[Kilopylae]

The last train westbound from Gospel Oak was cancelled the last time I was using the Mildmay line, which was an "amusing" surprise. We ended up walking to Finchley Road.

 

[Business Bob]

Is that West London Line? I am not familiar - who is it funded by if not TfL.

Correct West London Line Shuttles between Clapham Jn and Shepherds Bush. Originally funded by Westfields but cancelled due to Covid and I believe now the next 5 years are jointly funded by that money from Westfield's and the new development at Kensington Olympia. It's to help build resilience in that part of the line when the core (Willesden-Stratford) is disrupted but tbh it would better serve pax if at least 1 of them terminated at Willesden.

 

[Class15]

It's to help build resilience in that part of the line when the core (Willesden-Stratford) is disrupted but tbh it would better serve pax if at least 1 of them terminated at Willesden.

Not sure about this. Willesden High Level is a mess in the peaks and surely the advantage of these WLL shuttles is to avoid conflicting with Stratford - Richmond services?

 

[Harratt4]

Every day is a school day, thanks!

 

[Business Bob]

Not sure about this. Willesden High Level is a mess in the peaks and surely the advantage of these WLL shuttles is to avoid conflicting with Stratford - Richmond services?

The entire line is a mess regardless. One shuttle sits in Scrubs Lane Siding for 40 mins which to me is plenty of time to get to Willesden HL turnback and out. Especially if platform staff assist in detraining which they are meant to but rarely do. Its just my opinion that it would better serve passengers allowing them to connect to Stratford services. Yesterday there was 2 Claphams in front of me cancelled and 2 behind me leaving passengers with a 45min wait for a train so the shuttles were pretty useless to them

 

[boiledbeans2]

[...]Plus the new timetables introduced 4 new diagrams of WLL shuttles that need to be covered taking priority over others due to the external funding for them. [...]

Even some of the shuttles were cancelled today (21/08)!
E.g.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C11090/2026-08-21

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C11075/2026-08-21

Can Westfield/Olympia claim delay repay for cancelled trains?

 

[Chriso]

My colleagues in Kensington are deserting the service in droves due to its unreliability. TFL & First need to sort it out

 

[NCT]

Awful service level today. At Highbury only 3 Stratford services ran in the 0900-1000 hour.

 

[Mattplans]

Noticed a number of cancellations on the SLL route as well.

 

[Sealink]

Is this since First Group too over?

 

[Chriso]

Everyday is a meltdown on the Mildmay since First took office over

 

[800001]

Everyday is a meltdown on the Mildmay since First took office over

What has changed since first took over? Other than the company and management?

 

[Class15]

What has changed since first took over? Other than the company and management?

Think you’ve answered your own question…

The Shepherds Bush - Clapham shuttles haven’t exactly helped either.

 

[800002]

Welcome to First Group operational issues.

I have heard stories, apparently, of bad times since the concession changed hands.

There may have been fundamental miscalculations for the winning bidder.

And the more you see...

I'm led to belive an 'exodus ' of staff has occurred.
I do not however have substantiated details.

also, poor bid quality / understanding of technical parameters may have made First group a preferable concessionaire for TfL.

There has been a loss of approximately 15+/- drivers at Willesden to other TOCs and lateral transfers to other depots with retirements etc. Plus the new timetables introduced 4 new diagrams of WLL shuttles that need to be covered taking priority over others due to the external funding for them. Willesden's been under compliment for a while as Arriva slacked on recruitment but Willesden just gained 10 newly qualified, another 10 to qualify Sept and another 5 in Jan. All this combined with summer hols, annual leave, lack of RDW volunteers and serviceable units has FRL just cancelling circuits. And yes word is they seriously under estimated their bid and how much RDW is needed!

What has changed since first took over? Other than the company and management?

Post numbers 4, 11 and 12 should answer your question, hopefully.

 

[Belperpete]

Was the exodus of drivers something caused by the takeover? Or is this a case of Arriva leaving First to inherit a poisoned chalice?