EC mainline delays - failed 225

[455refurb]

Currently on the up Chieftain - approx 25 mins late due to a failed unit just outside Wooden Gate Junction near Alnmouth. I do not know exactly which unit has failed other than it was a London to Edinburgh service, others may be able to confirm.

The Train Manager has praised the "good thinking" by control as the driver of that unit was due to take us north from Edinburgh. Therefore, we have overtaken the failed unit and swapped drivers!

Now back up to linespeed on the correct side of the road, as it were.

Excellent service in FC too - but that's for the other thread!

 

[sonic2009]

I think the train in Question is the :

1S13 23/08/2011 1100 London Kings Cross [KGX] to Edinburgh [EDB]

72 overdue at Alnmouth

 

[jopsuk]

So the train you're on ran "wrong line", stopped alongside the failed train and the drivers got down from their trains and swapped there? Sounds like far too much logical thinking and sensible improvisation!

 

[455refurb]

So the train you're on ran "wrong line", stopped alongside the failed train and the drivers got down from their trains and swapped there? Sounds like far too much logical thinking and sensible improvisation!

Yup, that's exactly what happened. As you say, that sort of sensible thinking must be stopped!

Passengers on the failed train looking decidedly glum, hope it won't be too long before they're rescued.

 

[amcluesent]

The 13:00 out of KGX isn't looking too clever at the moment, 'Delayed' at Berwick

 

[Bungle73]

So what happens to passengers on a failed train on a route like that? Do they have to get off and cram onto the next train along or what?

 

[amcluesent]

> Do they have to get off and cram onto the next train along or what? <

I've been on EC trains that have stopped at small stations to collect pax from a failed train that's limped in are been hauled into the station

 

[DaveNewcastle]

The 13:00 out of KGX isn't looking too clever at the moment, 'Delayed' at Berwick

which is where I understand 1S13 has been terminated.
I'd hoped to be passing through Berwick in a couple of hours.

 

[TheBigD]

1S13 terminated at Berwick 133 late @ 1649 after the thunderbird failed according to trust.

 

[DarloRich]

So the train you're on ran "wrong line", stopped alongside the failed train and the drivers got down from their trains and swapped there? Sounds like far too much logical thinking and sensible improvisation!

thius is nothing short of a disgrace what on earth do nr lne and ec control think they are doing! There is no place for this kind of quick thinking on the privitised railway

next you will be saying that trains can coast through areas of dewirement - a disgrace!

 

[oversteer]

Speaking of innovative stuck-train ideas, I liked this one from the Chiltern Class 67 thread -

It seems that 67015 had lost coolant, due to a faulty heat exchanger and the loco shut down at Saunderton. It seems the driver realised he could coast to High Wycombe as it is all downhill from the point of the failure, so this is what he did. This meant that at least the passengers could be detrained and other trains get round the failed train, albeit with delays, but without stranding people in the middle of nowhere. 1H09 then departed from Princes Risborough at 07:43, ten minutes late.

http://railforums.co.uk/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=767205

That's about 5 miles ! But, a very good move considering the Chiltern Main Line is mostly doubletrack and a blockage at peak time would be calamitous.