Major Disruption on TL route

[Furrball]

Overhead wire problems are causing disruption at Hendon - until a full assessment of the damage caused to the overhead wires can be made, trains will not run between Luton and London St Pancras International. Additionally the following changes will apply until further notice:

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/69303.aspx

Tweet showing missing panto on a 319 - not sure if cause or eefct

https://twitter.com/OliShoff/status/424100339013664768/photo/1

 

[Saint66]

NR rail are expecting the disruption to last all day... FCC are only able to run a shuttle service between Luton and Bedford. There's also been flooding in the Balcombe tunnel this morning... Most of the TL route is out of service as a result of these problems.!

 

[fsmr]

All EMT services to London from Leicester have been cancelled today as well
http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/T...Network-Rail/story-20458047-detail/story.html

 

[DarloRich]

I guess that tickets will be valid Euston-Blethcley-Bedford? Chug will be busy tonight!

 

[Bedpan]

Now appears to be a half hourly service between Bedford and St Albans - it does bug me when they abandon the service south of Luton despite the problem being 23 miles away, with at least two crossovers in between.

 

[howittpie]

Notice from a tweet sent by EMT they have a survey asking people to comment on how they are doing during the disruption so they can improve on it in the future. This seems a novel idea but a good one.

 

[A-driver]

Now appears to be a half hourly service between Bedford and St Albans - it does bug me when they abandon the service south of Luton despite the problem being 23 miles away, with at least two crossovers in between.

When it comes to overhead wires it's not about the position of crossovers but where they can safely isolate the overheads in order to run the trains. This comes down to neutral sections and where areas can be isolated otherwise they can't work on the lines.

 

[edwin_m]

Seeing as they regularly run a Sunday service on two tracks while the other two are closed and presumably isolated, I think it must be possible to isolate any two of the tracks between any two sets of crossovers.

 

[user15681]

Some reports there were 800 passengers detrained at Hendon this morning. Fast lines now reopened.

Has led to some interesting scenes in terms of movements today. Quite a lot of FCC 319s and the odd FCC 377 in passenger service at Victoria today, even a platform share for a 319 and 465.

 

[Saint66]

It must have been some rather serious damage done to the OHLE, as the line is still closed between St Albans and London. Rush hour on GN will be fun!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
As far as I'm aware, only EMT are running on the fast lines, as the FCC twitter page says no FCC trains are still running? Or is my info out of doubt?

 

[user15681]

As far as I'm aware, only EMT are running on the fast lines, as the FCC twitter page says no FCC trains are still running? Or is my info out of doubt?

That's right, only EMT running, subject to delays due to crew and stock displacement, seeing as it's only the fast lines open.

 

[westcoaster]

From what I heard 1/4 mile of ohle taken out and seeing as it's all headspan there damage also on the fasts. So fasts now open to diesels only.

 

[tsr]

I believe a Class 73 was sent to rescue one or more stricken units. If the OpenTrainTimes map is to be believed, then, as I type, the loco is rescuing a 319 somewhere adjacent to the Dudding Hill junctions.

 

[Tomnick]

I believe a Class 73 was sent to rescue one or more stricken units. If the OpenTrainTimes map is to be believed, then, as I type, the loco is rescuing a 319 somewhere adjacent to the Dudding Hill junctions.

0z99?

 

[rdwarr]

Tweet of the Day:

Jake Armstrong ‏@_jakelewis 52m
@networkrail if your workforce didn't stand around drinking tea all day the overhead lines at Hendon would probably have been sorted by now.

 

[CallySleeper]

One of the diversion routes, Grantham, job stopped due to broken down train earlier. Also the M1s been shut all day too in Derbyshire. Happy Friday everyone!! #allgonepetetong

 

[fsmr]

One of the diversion routes, Grantham, job stopped due to broken down train earlier. Also the M1s been shut all day too in Derbyshire. Happy Friday everyone!! #allgonepetetong

And the A1 southbound at Peterborough all day due to shed load, not just the railways

 

[tsr]

0z99?

Perhaps (and I speculate) they have had a bit of a job coupling it or preparing it, and so the loco is still unattached. I believe a stranded 319 was in that berth earlier.

 

[Tomnick]

1Z99 would be more fitting, even if it's just a light loco going to clear the line! There was, as you suggest, an EMU stranded there, or at least it's description was in that berth all day.

 

[westcoaster]

I believe a Class 73 was sent to rescue one or more stricken units. If the OpenTrainTimes map is to be believed, then, as I type, the loco is rescuing a 319 somewhere adjacent to the Dudding Hill junctions.

That is the same berth as the pan less unit came to a stand in. So might take abit longer to secure lose bits and bobs. Just 5o00, 5e91 and 5t04 left out there.

 

[tsr]

1Z99 would be more fitting, even if it's just a light loco going to clear the line! There was, as you suggest, an EMU stranded there, or at least it's description was in that berth all day.

It was 1Z99 until just South of Blackfriars. I know - it's a bit odd!

 

[Bald Rick]

It was going to rescue the trains in the core, but the power was restored (to the core) so they moved themselves. Loco held just in case.

OLE sectioning round there is a bit convoluted.

 

[A-driver]

Seeing as they regularly run a Sunday service on two tracks while the other two are closed and presumably isolated, I think it must be possible to isolate any two of the tracks between any two sets of crossovers.

Presumably isolated? If it's track works they won't necessarily isolate the OHLE.

But they arnt in a position to do that anyway as the wires have come down across all lines.

You seem to be implying that they are doing this to be awkward. Once again a forum member posting without thinking first.

If they could run trains they would. It's not possible or practical so they can't. They arnt just suspending services because it may be fun, they are running what they physically can.

 

[DarloRich]

The Marston Vale line was standing room only tonight so people seem to be being sent that way which is sensible.

 

[edwin_m]

Presumably isolated? If it's track works they won't necessarily isolate the OHLE.

But they arnt in a position to do that anyway as the wires have come down across all lines.

You seem to be implying that they are doing this to be awkward. Once again a forum member posting without thinking first.

If they could run trains they would. It's not possible or practical so they can't. They arnt just suspending services because it may be fun, they are running what they physically can.

Once again a forum member responding to something that wasn't actually said. That's the second time you've done that to me in the last few minutes.

 

[A-driver]

Once again a forum member responding to something that wasn't actually said. That's the second time you've done that to me in the last few minutes.

It's the second time in the last few minutes that you had an unnecessary dig at the industry.

So what have I responded to that wasn't said? You suggested they could have been running trains around the affected area on other lines as that is what they do during engineering works...except as I pointed out this isn't anything like engineering works as all 4 lines have lost their overheads and so all 4 lines are blocked.

 

[Tomnick]

Watching the fun unfold from a safe distance, it looked like things were able to move around Radlett Jn at least, as a few trains seemed to shunt there to return north. Presumably that's what edwin_m was referring to? Whether that required the isolation to be shortened (I'd understood that the ECO could only isolate a relatively large area, with more control possible once there are chaps 'on the ground' to operate switches manually - or am I mistaken?), possibly only as a temporary measure, I don't know. Not much point trying to run south of Luton whilst the railway's full of trapped units waiting to shunt clear. The T3, when taken, seemed to extend as far as Radlett Jn, presumably for a valid reason but probably precluding any further shunts there. FCC eventually managed to get a decent service as far as St Albans though (reversing by a double shunt via the centre siding) which is about as good as they could hope to manage!

 

[edwin_m]

It's the second time in the last few minutes that you had an unnecessary dig at the industry.

So what have I responded to that wasn't said? You suggested they could have been running trains around the affected area on other lines as that is what they do during engineering works...except as I pointed out this isn't anything like engineering works as all 4 lines have lost their overheads and so all 4 lines are blocked.

I didn't suggest any such thing. I merely pointed out that I would expect it to be possible to obtain isolations of any two tracks between any pair of crossovers because this would be needed for some types of engineering access. Not in relation to this specific incident, though with the thought in my mind that the undamaged OLE might be livened up closer to the incident. As indeed seems to have happened with extension of service to St Albans.

While not holding the esteemed post of train driver I have been in the rail industry for 26 years, probably long enough to know that sometimes it is its own worst enemy.

 

[theageofthetra]

The BBC local news suggested (so its probably wrong) that cable theft may be the initial cause. Any verification from a more reliable source?

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Watching the fun unfold from a safe distance, it looked like things were able to move around Radlett Jn at least, as a few trains seemed to shunt there to return north. Presumably that's what edwin_m was referring to? Whether that required the isolation to be shortened (I'd understood that the ECO could only isolate a relatively large area, with more control possible once there are chaps 'on the ground' to operate switches manually - or am I mistaken?), possibly only as a temporary measure, I don't know. Not much point trying to run south of Luton whilst the railway's full of trapped units waiting to shunt clear. The T3, when taken, seemed to extend as far as Radlett Jn, presumably for a valid reason but probably precluding any further shunts there. FCC eventually managed to get a decent service as far as St Albans though (reversing by a double shunt via the centre siding) which is about as good as they could hope to manage!

The double shunt at St Albans from 1401 worked well - along with lots of buses to and from Stanmore , Hatfield and Mill Hill. Credit to NR for the point clipping man at SAC (who is still there now) - very hard work - but no grief from the passengers - there have been some innovative passenger routings today I assure you. A mega incident.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Watching the fun unfold from a safe distance, it looked like things were able to move around Radlett Jn at least, as a few trains seemed to shunt there to return north. Presumably that's what edwin_m was referring to? Whether that required the isolation to be shortened (I'd understood that the ECO could only isolate a relatively large area, with more control possible once there are chaps 'on the ground' to operate switches manually - or am I mistaken?), possibly only as a temporary measure, I don't know. Not much point trying to run south of Luton whilst the railway's full of trapped units waiting to shunt clear. The T3, when taken, seemed to extend as far as Radlett Jn, presumably for a valid reason but probably precluding any further shunts there. FCC eventually managed to get a decent service as far as St Albans though (reversing by a double shunt via the centre siding) which is about as good as they could hope to manage!

I think that sums it up very well - took a while to dig trains out of the non affected area. Only saving grace is that it wasn't an hour later when even more people would have got up to London and would need ferrying home from London.