Disruption at Manchester Piccadilly

[Bow Fell]

Im assuming you were responding to the post I had quoted as my post was attempting to defend control staff and the conditions they will work in during these incidents.

I was, it wasn’t a criticism of yourself, just backing up what you said.

 

[CHAPS2034]

One of the things that made the situation worse yesterday was the non-availability of Platforms 5 & 6 at Piccadilly. They are currently closed while the roof netting is being replaced and these Platforms are I think suitable for 9 and 11 coach Pendolinos.

I was on the on-time 1W22 TfW 1830 Crewe- Stockport, a cosy 2 coach 197. We were on time all the way to Cheadle Hulme when we were checked down to let the nearly on time 1H33 11 coach Pendo in front. It arrived into Stockport P3 and we went into P4.The Tfw departed SPT 4 late but dropped another 9 minutes on its way to Picc. However the Pendo was held on a red as there was no platform for it at Picc and was eventually cancelled. To maintain some movement in the down direction, shorter trains to Manchester continued to use P4

A friend of mine was on 1H71, (9 coach Pendo) which left Crewe running 25 late, 5 minutes behind 1W22. However it was held at Cheadle Hulme Platform 1 for about 25 minutes whilst the stock from 1H33 was moved ECS from Stockport. Exceedingly frustrating for him as he was going to Cheadle Hulme. This train was 27 late leaving Wilmslow and 75 late into Stockport, a distance of about 6 and a bit miles. Conductor was giving info to the passengers as best he could.

Meanwhile some more friends (we had all been to the Beer Festival at Crewe Heritage Centre) caught the 1846 2H43 Crewe - Manchester stopper, also destined for Cheadle Hulme, which was routed from the down to the up at Cheadle Hulme South junction to overtake the Pendo stopped in P1. They were able to wave at our unfortunate colleague stuck in the Pendolino as they disembarked on P2 at Cheadle Hulme - and got a rare crossover into the bargain!

I think all the control staff would had a very tough job keeping things moving on a 'normal' day, never mind that two platforms at Picc for the longest trains were not available. There were certainly some interesting decisions that kept some of the trains moving as best they could. The situation went on until close of service eventually, so there were lots of things to consider- capacity, displaced stock and crew over something like 10 hours.

 

[erk]

Did the roof works give the trespasser an easier way up?

 

[XCDriver]

It does; In an incident such as this an emergency switch off must be between neutral sections, until staff have attended, carried out manual switching (unless remote switching is available) and erected earths; Only then can the dead area be reduced. I am not familiar with the overhead line arrangements in Manchester, but in my area, turning off the power for an incident at for example my local station, Neilston, would affect Glasgow Central station and the main line out beyond Cambuslang.

In Picc if an emergency ole needs to be done on one platform, it can be done immediately through the ECO direct. No other platforms are isolated, unless the issue requires other platforms to be isolated too

 

[Falcon1200]

In Picc if an emergency ole needs to be done on one platform, it can be done immediately through the ECO direct. No other platforms are isolated, unless the issue requires other platforms to be isolated too

Thanks; So there must be neutral sections separating each platform line from the rest of the network, or (much more likely) remote switching and earthing?

 

[Thomas6187]

Did the roof works give the trespasser an easier way up?

It appears the individual gained assess from the overbridge, as it's relatively close the 'floor' at that point.They have then climbed across the crossbeams, roughly 10-15 metres from the bridge