Incident at Hemel Hempstead

[Art1983]

Lines are currently blocked due to an incident at Hemel Hempstead.....

 

[Bletchleyite]

Not a good couple of weeks for the WCML, is it?

 

[DarloRich]

oh no......................

 

[Lrd]

Not again

 

[coq au vin]

Train manager said it was a fatality near Stafford... currently not moving :/

 

[Mag_seven]

Looks like 1A27 was the train involved - 11.15 Manchester Euston.

 

[jyte]

Nice queue of trains backed up on opentraintimes.

Edit: Ticket acceptance on VTEC and chiltern via reasonable routes, according to twitter

Edit2: Looks like the 1A28 1135 Chester to Euston service is reversing south of Bletchley, will run north along the down slow to Denbeigh Hall plat then into MK platform 6, presumably for de-training?

 

[47271]

I'm on 9M54 1052 Edinburgh-Euston held at Warrington Bank Quay for this reason , so that's a very big queue already.

 

[coq au vin]

Hmmm to get off or go via new street.... suggestions?

 

[jyte]

I'm on 9M54 1052 Edinburgh-Euston held at Warrington Bank Quay for this reason , so that's a very big queue already.

Woah

Virgin website now reporting 11 cancellations to the following trains and 1A28 has arrived in platform 6 at MK. Virgin twitter is telling people to go via leeds and get (presumably TPE) from there.

13:07 London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street due 15:19
13:10 London Euston to Chester due 15:10
13:20 London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly due 15:28
13:23 London Euston to Birmingham New Street due 14:45
13:30 London Euston to Glasgow Central due 17:59
13:35 Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston due 15:39
13:40 London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly due 15:46
13:43 London Euston to Glasgow Central due 19:23
13:47 Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston due 15:59
13:55 Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston due 16:02
14:00 London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly due 16:04

Edit: 1A28 is now 1D87 and will run the 1310 Euston-Chester timetable, originating at MK.

Also the WCMl has really had a poor month or so.

 

[47271]

TM was quite definite when she said that they're halting everything in stations which makes me wonder what's up and how long it's going to go on for. I'm very familiar with WCML hold ups with this cause, never have I been brought to stand in a station this far back.

 

[Mag_seven]

Its quite a good policy to hold trains in stations where possible - it at least gives punters the chance to exit and try their luck with any local transport.

 

[jyte]

TM was quite definite when she said that they're halting everything in stations which makes me wonder what's up and how long it's going to go on for. I'm very familiar with WCML hold ups with this cause, never have I been brought to stand in a station this far back.

one under according to twitter

 

[47271]

Update 1411 - on the move again. This is a via Birmingham train so they might be able to lose it there. I'm getting off at Crewe so won't be able to provide much more in the way of news.

 

[Mordac]

1B46 had been held on platform 1 at Coventry for ages, but is now finally on the move, 62 down. All LM LNR trains had been going through more or less on cue, though.

 

[NumberSix]

Hi folks.. Am on 1H24 EUS-MAN. Have been held just south of Apsley since around 1pm, apparently only just after this happened according to TM. Was told emergency services in attendance around ~0.5hr ago.

 

[coq au vin]

The Liverpool train left Crewe after I got off, so swapped onto the next one and having a much deserved glass of red this one is stopping at Euston only. Positives I guess....

 

[ah-media]

As a resident of Hemel, it's always extra sad when an incident occours at your "home" station.

According to OTT at 1450 there is still nothing on the move around Hemel.

 

[NumberSix]

Have just seen a few LNRs on the move on the slows, then a Pendo coming the other way. Assuming that was the 1115 off MAN.

 

[jyte]

As of 14:57 1A27 is moving again, running 112 late. Down line no movement, maybe still closed?

 

[DarloRich]

TM was quite definite when she said that they're halting everything in stations which makes me wonder what's up and how long it's going to go on for. I'm very familiar with WCML hold ups with this cause, never have I been brought to stand in a station this far back.

trains will be held at MK, Northampton and Rugby and then back up from there - standard operating practice now. It helps with service recovery, reduces trapped trains and reduces the risk of passenger bail outs.

Looks like things are starting to move

 

[tsr]

The Slow lines are now open but nothing is to stop at Hemel Hempstead for the time being. 1A27 is fit to continue but the overhead wires have had to be examined in the aftermath, which has extended the delay slightly.

 

[tsr]

...and there we are, all lines are now open. I must admit that credit is due to all organisations involved - this looks to be a very focussed service recovery currently underway in the worst of circumstances.

 

[dizzie]

So sad, again, but it makes me slightly nervous even trying trips to and from London in the next couple of weeks - it just seems to be a near daily occurrence, and my fear is this is a situation getting worse, not better - despite today's incident being dealt with timely efficiently (compared to the extensive delays and cancellations during Thursday's fatality). It seems that one ought to prepare for any WCML stoppage - especially if travelling in either direction late afternoon, or early evening, with an alternative route in your back pocket, just in case. I just wish there was a way to stop these things from happening in the first place - I saw the recent ad campaign, but I just don't know if that's enough.

 

[coq au vin]

As un-PC as it is, I am more worried about having my throat slit or being blown up...

 

[jyte]

As un-PC as it is, I am more worried about having my throat slit or being blown up...

I'm more worried about being hit by a bus...

 

[coq au vin]

Good job you take the train then :P

 

[jyte]

Good job you take the train then :P

hahaha...I take the bus a lot as well...and did nearly get hit by one the other day!

And credit to NR/VT/First Responders for getting the line back open before rush hour.

 

[driver_m]

Changing the subject slightly before it gets into a 50 ways to die thread. This policy of not piling everything behind the train involved seems to be a recent initiative which I've been caught up a few times myself. Once everything is reopened, it stops the concertina effect that means you end up running red to red if at the back. Whether it aids delays or not is another matter, but it is definitely a smoother run once you are allowed to move.

 

[jyte]

Changing the subject slightly before it gets into a 50 ways to die thread. This policy of not piling everything behind the train involved seems to be a recent initiative which I've been caught up a few times myself. Once everything is reopened, it stops the concertina effect that means you end up running red to red if at the back. Whether it aids delays or not is another matter, but it is definitely a smoother run once you are allowed to move.

Not just this, but if delays are long running, it's a good idea to hold trains in platforms, that way help can be provided to passengers if they fall ill, for example.