Delays at Sanderstead

[OxtedL]

A signalling problem is causing disruption at Sanderstead.
Because of this, there are delays of up to 35 minutes through East Croydon. These delays are expected to last until approximately 11:00.
Currently trains from London Victoria / London Bridge to Caterham are not calling at South Croydon and Purley Oaks. Passengers should circulate via Purley.

Can anyone shed any light on what exactly happened this morning? It only seems to affecting up trains on the Oxted Line, but has had an impact on down Caterham trains, so I'm lost.

In addition, there are men in orange at every set if points down the line, it appears...

 

[CliveJones]

Track Circuit Failure.

 

[OxtedL]

Thanks muchly.

Any idea why it affected down Caterhams?

 

[CliveJones]

The report didn't go into that much detail and also that's all I recall

 

[OxtedL]

OK, thanks for your help. I wasn't really expecting any more info, we don't seem to have anyone who could've been directly involved in that on the forums...

Instead, I shall let my imagination run into overtime and assume that the failure forced the signallers to send all Oxted line trains via platform 4 at South Croydon, preventing any down trains from doing so, and forcing them to all go through 5. And because of the delays caused at the junction, together with the lack of platforms, it perhaps made sense to run the Caterhams fast through South Croydon and Purley to make up time...

There are still men at Hurst Green Juncion however...

(And they say I should be institutionalised... )