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Glasgow central signalling problems Tuesday

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Minilad

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I was going to say massive points failure. But that would make it sound like the massive points had failed but the normal size ones were OK.
Anyway. It was a points failure involving a lot of points in the station area
 

SpacePhoenix

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Could it have actually been some sort of failure of the signalling system, with failsafes kicking in and locking all the points in place? It seems strange that so many points would fail at exactly the same time (how many at the same time?).
 

jnty

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Could it have actually been some sort of failure of the signalling system, with failsafes kicking in and locking all the points in place? It seems strange that so many points would fail at exactly the same time (how many at the same time?).

The points around Central are air-operated and have been since ~1908 (the semaphores were also electro-pneumatic then as well.) NR said the air compressor which drives the whole scheme failed, though I've heard reports of a hissing sound coming from an air reservoir on the platform so it's possible that there was actually a leak.
 

GaryMcEwan

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It was sheer chaos this afternoon, and services are still being delayed. I'm just glad it wasn't tomorrow for the start of the Games. That would have went down well for First seeing as they are an Official Supporter...
 

Platform1

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It was sheer chaos this afternoon, and services are still being delayed. I'm just glad it wasn't tomorrow for the start of the Games. That would have went down well for First seeing as they are an Official Supporter...

Au contraire. It's a pity it didn't happen tomorrow. It would have been good for the world to see what we have to put up with regularly when things go wrong with Scotrail. Maybe if this had happened with the eyes of the world right on us something would have been done to give our national rail operator a the shake it desperately needs. They are all sweetness and light when everything is running, but when things go wrong they are complacent and contemptuous of the public the deign to serve.

My journey home was affected, even though I was not travelling via Glasgow. Trying to get an answer out of their Customer Service 'staff' and trying to get a taxi for a few miles was seemingly not possible in this day and age.

Get a grip Scot Rail :x
 

GaryMcEwan

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Au contraire. It's a pity it didn't happen tomorrow. It would have been good for the world to see what we have to put up with regularly when things go wrong with Scotrail. Maybe if this had happened with the eyes of the world right on us something would have been done to give our national rail operator a the shake it desperately needs. They are all sweetness and light when everything is running, but when things go wrong they are complacent and contemptuous of the public the deign to serve.

My journey home was affected, even though I was not travelling via Glasgow. Trying to get an answer out of their Customer Service 'staff' and trying to get a taxi for a few miles was seemingly not possible in this day and age.

Get a grip Scot Rail :x

Have you spoke to their Twitter, they're even worse? Every time you complain to them they always want to put you in touch with the customer service team. If they can't take complaints on Twitter, then what's the point of running it?

I can see your point with regards to tomorrow, in hindsight, I actually agree with you, it's becoming a joke these days. Only saving grace, and I use that very loosely it that you can use your train ticket on First Glasgow bus services...
 

Verygoodyear

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Thanks everyone, interesting stuff. Do you happen to know why they're still air operated? Is that something you get very often?
 

68000

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The failure to get trains running out of Central was not FSR, it was Network Rail
 

Aictos

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Have you spoke to their Twitter, they're even worse? Every time you complain to them they always want to put you in touch with the customer service team. If they can't take complaints on Twitter, then what's the point of running it?

I agree, unlike other TOCs who are proactive, with Scotrail they seem to not be as proactive :(
 

Marklund

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Thanks everyone, interesting stuff. Do you happen to know why they're still air operated? Is that something you get very often?

Electro-Pneumatic points operate very quickly. As an aside to that, they crush smaller objects that would often obstruct electro-mechanical or electro-hydraulic points.

Not many left, but there used to be/is a good example in the LT Covent Garden museum.
 

Dan_225

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Perth station still has the same points machines as Central. I always remover gearing the hissing of the air systems when on the track in the station area, no surprise it's failed!
 

jnty

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Electro-Pneumatic points operate very quickly. As an aside to that, they crush smaller objects that would often obstruct electro-mechanical or electro-hydraulic points.

Not many left, but there used to be/is a good example in the LT Covent Garden museum.

I gather that the Central power supply would also need to be significantly upgraded to successfully power all the points.
 

GaryMcEwan

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Well major signalling problems hit Glasgow Central yet again today and right in the middle of events that were happening.

What an absolute shambles, I knew it wouldn't take long for it all to go Pete Tong...
 

carriageline

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Overhead line problems are not classed as signalling problems IMO.


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