24tph thameslink - knock on effects - what would you do?

[samogers]

Let's skip to 2018, post thameslink programme.

During the rush hour, a signalling problem occurs at City Thameslink between 17:30 and 19:30. All services face major delays. Approximately 48 trains each way are massively delayed.

What would the knock on effects of delays such as this be?

And if you were Mr. Horton, (head of GTR) what steps would you take to recover the service as quickly as possible, thus reducing the knock on effects caused by this delay?

 

[Abpj17]

Emtpy the core and split the service into two as soon as feasibly possible to ensure the proportion north/sound is reasonably balance - northbounds turning at St P (above or below platforms) and Blackfriars and communicate it clearly and comprehensively.

Passengers might get a bit grumpy, but the tube is easy enough to either station (significantly better than Kentish Town...)

 

[SPADTrap]

Let's skip to 2018, post thameslink programme.

During the rush hour, a signalling problem occurs at City Thameslink between 17:30 and 19:30. All services face major delays. Approximately 48 trains each way are massively delayed.

What would the knock on effects of delays such as this be?

And if you were Mr. Horton, (head of GTR) what steps would you take to recover the service as quickly as possible, thus reducing the knock on effects caused by this delay?

Mr Hortons first step would be to delegate that task to someone else, such as control!

 

[Bald Rick]

Assuming this is problem significant enough that no trains can actually travel through the core in either direction for those two hours, which I think is what you are suggesting..

1) stop any core-bound TL train leaving it's departure point immediately, and start putting some of them into sidings (which means there will not be 48 trains each way 'trapped', more like about 20 each way at most, and very few of them will actually be 'trapped')

2) turn everything remaining from the south at Blackfriars (platform 2, 3 and 4) and London Bridge (platforms 4 and 5)

3) turn everything remaining off the MML at St P low level, Kentish Town and West Hampstead.

4) turn everything left from the ECML at KX or in the Canal Tunnels (having terminated at, err, Finsbury Park)

All subject to drivers of course.

At least that's what the draft contingency plan might say....

 

[DelayRepay]

And if you were Mr. Horton, (head of GTR) what steps would you take to recover the service as quickly as possible, thus reducing the knock on effects caused by this delay?

I would check that the plan marked "What to do if the core is blocked during the evening peak" had been implemented. To be honest this shouldn't be a lot different to what happens now which is turning things round at either end and running the best service they can with the units/drivers available.

Will the connection between the ECML and Thameslink work the other way by which I mean could trains coming off the Midland Mainline get into Kings Cross?

 

[SPADTrap]

Will the connection between the ECML and Thameslink work the other way by which I mean could trains coming off the Midland Mainline get into Kings Cross?

Not without changing ends!

 

[Busaholic]

A damned shame that Moorgate is no longer available.

 

[LBSCR Times]

Contingency plans are OK if regularly updated at every timetable change, and are realistic too.
FCC had them, but they needed to be implemented from the start of service.
Many years ago, the old Central Division of the Southern Region arranged for self-contained crew workings for the mainline side at Victoria during the peaks. But of course, just before and after was another matter. And it can be the same here too!
If a problem occurs at 15.50 instead of 16.05, then you could have Bedford driver, a Peterborough driver and a Cambridge driver all on their last working, and you'd know the answer asking them to head back south towards the depot at Three Bridges.....

 

[Bald Rick]

A damned shame that Moorgate is no longer available.

Not much use for 12 car trains, and never was.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

If a problem occurs at 15.50 instead of 16.05, then you could have Bedford driver, a Peterborough driver and a Cambridge driver all on their last working, and you'd know the answer asking them to head back south towards the depot at Three Bridges.....

Quite.

But you could stick them in a taxi to St Pancras (waving to some Brighton drivers coming the other way somewhere around Clerkenwell Rd) and pick up the trains turning there. It does require a few spare drivers around so that platforms don't get clogged up.

 

[Yabbadabba]

This when East Croydon becomes a terminus lol although I shouldnt really laugh as it becomes a little bit stressy on the panel

 

[The Box Photter]

I suspect Mr Horton would sit on his fat well-fed arse and blame Notwork Fail, thus collecting much compensation payments whilst letting the passengers swivel.