ECML Overhead line problem

[Aidan_J]

(first post)
NXEC website reports that they are running a very limited service because the OHL are damaged (yet again) around Welwyn. I'm guessing it will be on the viaduct where there is damage.

http://www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com/Travel-Information/Disruptions/?op=1076

Is it just me but when there are gales do you get the feeling that the ECML will be disrupted because of problems with the OHL?
I'd love to know why the ECML always has problems with the wires and no other line has as many problems as this line does.

 

[Urobach]

I'd love to know why the ECML always has problems with the wires and no other line has as many problems as this line does.

*Cough* Great Eastern mainline around Ingatestone!
Was on the train that brought them down recently, blooming scary

 

[Metroland]

(first post)

I'd love to know why the ECML always has problems with the wires and no other line has as many problems as this line does.

Because it was done on the cheap. Masts are very far apart, and cheap metal hangers and fittings. There's nothing really wrong with OHL, it's heavily used on the world's most reliable railways in Japan and Switzerland, but we do so like 'false economy' in this country.

 

[ungreat]

If it were on the viaduct,then trains would be(I would have thought)routed around the Hertford loop.In my experience its usually the case.I'm guessing its actually at Langley Junction,which would bugger up the loop as a diversionary route,hence the total block south of Stevenage.

I am probably wrong though!!

 

[Mojo]

If it were on the viaduct,then trains would be(I would have thought)routed around the Hertford loop.

I've heard that the wires are also down at Molewood Tunnel.

 

[1D53]

Wires are frigged on the Loop too though!

 

[Coxster]

Earlier this afternoon it was sorted that some trains could avoid Digswell by diverting via the Hertford Loop, but this was short lived after the wires on the loop decided they wanted to join in with the action, meaning the only through trains able to operate between Stevenage and Kings Cross are Grand Central and Hull Trains. Not sure why exactly NXEC can't run some HSTs through but the current situation is as per this morning, prior to the Hertford loop diversions:-

FCC - Buses running between Welwyn Garden City and Stevenage in both directions
GC/HT - Able to continue Hertford diversions but subject to extended journey times
NXEC - Trains starting/terminating at Stevenage or Peterborough instead of Kings Cross

This isn't the only thing to hit the ECML today though. This morning there were some minor problems at one location; which were followed by a loss of all signals, track circuits etc to the north of Doncaster station late this afternoon. On top of that there were yet more delays to services following even more overhead line problems - this time at Rossington, about four miles to the south of Doncaster station.

Let's not forget the WCML though with it's signalling problems at Milton Keynes, some branches wrapping themselves round a Pendo's pantograph near Rugby, further problems around Crewe, a fallen tree near Shap and overhead line problems at Preston.

In fact lots of wire-related problems today. The suspension between Shipley and Bradford Forster Square is not only to fix a 'problem' - it's a case of rewiring. I'm not sure exactly where the dewirement is though.

Silly wires - you need good old third rail

 

[Guinness]

Not sure why exactly NXEC can't run some HSTs through but the current situation is as per this morning, prior to the Hertford loop diversions:-

Oil Prices

 

[ungreat]

A puff of wind and the lot falls down!

 

[jopsuk]

Not sure why exactly NXEC can't run some HSTs through

Because when the OHL comes down, it lands on the track?

 

[Max]

Because when the OHL comes down, it lands on the track?

If that were the case GC and HT wouldn't have been able to run trains either!

 

[djw1981]

It all depends which side of teh disruption the NXEC HST's were at the time though. The NB HST's were delayed heavily last night - both the 17xx Inverness and 18xx Aberdeen were over 140 minutes late from Edinburgh last night. In order to provide a service from these locations on the Monday morning, the NB stock must run. They were capping some cl91 trains at Edinburgh (instead of Glasgow) to reduce the delays in SB services ex Edinburgh. The 2000 to York was canceled, and the 1950 Glasgow (2100 x Edinburgh) to Newcastle was running all stops to York.

 

[Coxster]

More problems today following a lightning strike in the Bawtry/Carlton areas, with the ECML now totally shut at Retford! Nothing running south of Donny on NatEx East Coast. However it's not just the ECML being affected today though, with the Lincoln to Sheffield line also suffering disruption.