Conwy Valley Line closed

[williamn]

Just seen it’s closed due to ‘structural issue’. Anyone know what’s up?!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Just seen it’s closed due to ‘structural issue’. Anyone know what’s up?!

Does seem a little vague, and no precise location given. Problems with a bridge/culvert or the scouring out of track ballast, perhaps? Fairly sure someone will know.

Incident: BlaenauFfestiniog | National Rail

Buses replace trains between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog. Find details of all current incidents on National Rail Enquiries.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

Extract...

Route(s) affected
Between Llandudno / Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog

Description
Structural problems underneath the track on the Blaenau Ffestiniog line mean that trains have been suspended on this route today to allow engineers to inspect the damage.

Ticket acceptance on local buses in place, I understand.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Has to happen once every few years I guess. At least it hasn't disappeared entirely

Seems rather poor that no RRB is being offered on the southern section (just acceptance on the 19 on the northern section). It'd only require a couple of taxis.

 

[Brush 4]

That was lucky for me, having done it for the first time on Tuesday, 197 007. No obvious issues with bridges or embankments. Friendly staff, plenty of passengers, lovely scenery. At the LJ end, I could see how the Conway had flooded the line recently. Even in summer, it is not far below the line. There was a stop at Llanwrst box to talk to the signalman but, that may be normal practice. There was also a P-way van nearby with a chap on his phone but, people are always on their phone....

 

[williamn]

Has to happen once every few years I guess. At least it hasn't disappeared entirely

Seems rather poor that no RRB is being offered on the southern section (just acceptance on the 19 on the northern section). It'd only require a couple of taxis.

Very poor given the scheduled bus service was recently axed.

 

[DelW]

Does seem a little vague, and no precise location given. Problems with a bridge/culvert or the scouring out of track ballast, perhaps? Fairly sure someone will know.

If it *was* scouring out of track ballast, then this part of the NR statement might be a little worrying:

Structural problems underneath the track on the Blaenau Ffestiniog line mean that trains have been suspended on this route today

 

[Bletchleyite]

That was lucky for me, having done it for the first time on Tuesday, 197 007. No obvious issues with bridges or embankments. Friendly staff, plenty of passengers, lovely scenery.

It has a totally different feel with a 197 on it, doesn't it? Much more like a Swiss branch line someone actually cares about rather than a British one with whatever old tat the depot could find. It was busy when I last used it - I'd be interested to see if there's been any growth with the 197s.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

While the weather up here has generally been benign for weeks and the rivers are low, it's possible the localised storms recently have damaged the route.
Some places locally have had very heavy rain, while others nearby have had hardly any.
Ultra hot/dry weather can cause damage too, of course.

 

[williamn]

It has a totally different feel with a 197 on it, doesn't it? Much more like a Swiss branch line someone actually cares about rather than a British one with whatever old tat the depot could find. It was busy when I last used it - I'd be interested to see if there's been any growth with the 197s.

Though I did note that either temporary speed restrictions or the 197 struggling meant that we ran a fair bit behind schedule from Betws towards Blaenau.

 

[gazthomas]

Badger sett at Dolgarrog

 

[Bletchleyite]

Badger set at Dolgarrog

Crikey. How does that get resolved, they're considered endangered aren't they so you can't just tip a load of concrete in?

 

[gazthomas]

That's a good question, NR are currently investigating.

 

[zwk500]

Crikey. How does that get resolved, they're considered endangered aren't they so you can't just tip a load of concrete in?

Badgers aren't endangered, but protected (to do with Badger Baiting apparently). Presumably NR can apply for a special license/exemption but must do anything carefully to avoid farmers getting ideas. Trap and relocate is probably the most likely option, if a suitable nearby habitat (but not too nearby) can be identified.

 

[Bletchleyite]

According to the TfW website RRBs are now in place.

 

[Signal_Box]

If it *was* scouring out of track ballast, then this part of the NR statement might be a little worrying:

It’s not…it’s little furry animals who are protected causing issues.

 

[AndrewE]

It’s not…it’s little furry animals who are protected causing issues.

and not so little, either! They can do a lot of damage to a car suspension, or to a field (when tractors drop into holes created by the sets) - or simply by undermining embankments...

 

[Dunfanaghy Rd]

and not so little, either! They can do a lot of damage to a car suspension, or to a field (when tractors drop into holes created by the sets) - or simply by undermining embankments...

You ain't kidding. Cost my insurers £1,000 after one ran under my Polo - and that was in 2007! (No, I didn't go back to see if Brock had survived - an angry badger is not to be trifled with.)
Pat

 

[Doctor Fegg]

"Train! Train! Oooh, it's a train!

"Badger badger badger badger badger badger..."

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Jun 2023 ==

According to the TfW website RRBs are now in place.

Rarely Relocated Badgers?

 

[Dai Corner]

"Train! Train! Oooh, it's a train!

"Badger badger badger badger badger badger..."

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Jun 2023 ==


Rarely Relocated Badgers?

I was thinking Railway Ruining Badgers.

 

[Signal_Box]

I find it amazing that nationally critical infrastructure can be brought to a prolonged stop by what are rodents, aren’t endangered cause untold damage. Obviously, all animals should be protected against barbaric practices, such as badger baiting, and the like, but we’re not talking a tinpot firm, or the underbelly of society, torturing them for their own sick pleasure.

 

[TheSel]

Badger sett at Dolgarrog

Well, at least we now have it in black and white.

[I really must give up writing scripts for Lee Mack!]

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I find it amazing that nationally critical infrastructure can be brought to a prolonged stop by what are rodents, aren’t endangered cause untold damage.

Badgers aren't rodents, as far as I'm aware. Members of the weasel family.

And they are protected under English/Welsh law, and that includes Intentionally or recklessly damaging, destroying or obstructing access to a badger sett.

Be interesting to see how Network Rail are able to legitimately move them on.

 

[Signal_Box]

Badgers aren't rodents, as far as I'm aware. Members of the weasel family.

And they are protected under English/Welsh law, and that includes Intentionally or recklessly damaging, destroying or obstructing access to a badger sett.

Be interesting to see how Network Rail are able to legitimately move them on.

I’d assume they’ll get the correct expensive licenses and specialist (expensive) contractors to remove them, then set them up in new borrows away from the railway, which they’ll probably return to anyway at some point.

I’ll describe them as vermin, and not rodents I’m not really up on wildlife to be honest.

 

[zwk500]

Badgers aren't rodents, as far as I'm aware. Members of the weasel family.

And they are protected under English/Welsh law, and that includes Intentionally or recklessly damaging, destroying or obstructing access to a badger sett.

Be interesting to see how Network Rail are able to legitimately move them on.

Network Rail will be able to make the case that 1 sett being disturbed for a railway is a legitimate reason, and will be granted the license to remove them. I expect it'll be trap and relocate to prevent further damage to the railway. What it does mean is that nobody can do anything to the soil on site until after the survey has been done and license granted.

 

[Signal_Box]

Network Rail will be able to make the case that 1 sett being disturbed for a railway is a legitimate reason, and will be granted the license to remove them. I expect it'll be trap and relocate to prevent further damage to the railway. What it does mean is that nobody can do anything to the soil on site until after the survey has been done and license granted.

Meanwhile people’s lives are disrupted, TfW loses money in fares and Network Rail loses money carrying out repairs and compensating TfW.

Within the boundaries of national critical infrastructure conditions such as licenses should be removed to enable work to progress as quickly as possible with the owner of the land trusted to comply with protocols laid down under the laws and licenses.

Do we really think Network Rail will remove the sets in any way other than by the strict protocols laid down by the conditions of the license, why not carry out the work and issue a license in retrospect?

 

[zwk500]

Meanwhile people’s lives are disrupted, TfW loses money in fares and Network Rail loses money carrying out repairs and compensating TfW.

Within the boundaries of national critical infrastructure conditions such as licenses should be removed to enable work to progress as quickly as possible with the owner of the land trusted to comply with protocols laid down under the laws and licenses.

100%

Do we really think Network Rail will remove the sets in any way other than by the strict protocols laid down by the conditions of the license, why not carry out the work and issue a license in retrospect?

Do they know what the conditions of the license will be? There may be local conditions.

I'm with you that NR should have standing powers, but the reality is that they don't. The government are the ones who can change that. It's probably worth reviewing the protections generally, because things have moved on in the 40-odd years since the protections were put in place.

 

[MadMarsupial]

Yesterday there were two Network Rail vans and a Network Rail minibus parked by the bridge over the Afon Lledr about two miles south of Betws y Coed. This is nowhere near Dolgarrog so maybe there is more than one problem on the line?

 

[Brush 4]

Sounds like a sett-up. Badger them to move on to somewhere like Brock on the Bournemouth line. They can't weasel out of this one. I'll wait here quietly for the Joke Police to arrive....

 

[HSTEd]

Do we really think Network Rail will remove the sets in any way other than by the strict protocols laid down by the conditions of the license, why not carry out the work and issue a license in retrospect?

If they can get away with it, they (or their contractors) will absolutely do so.

After all, the fudiciary duty of the management of NR or its contractors would drive them to take said expedient action as far as they can get away with.

 

[Starmill]

It has a totally different feel with a 197 on it, doesn't it? Much more like a Swiss branch line someone actually cares about rather than a British one with whatever old tat the depot could find. It was busy when I last used it - I'd be interested to see if there's been any growth with the 197s.

There will have been a little bit of growth due to the T19 being withdrawn.