Manchester signalling problems -6th November 2017.

[mwmbwls]

Earlier this week there were serious signalling problems between Manchester Oxford Road and Slade Lane resulting in the continued operation of trains but with northbound trains using the south bound tracks and vice versa. Later in the day there were a series of cancellations resulting in passengers being denied boarding. A perfect storm of Northern stock shortages and Infrastructure failure seemed to occur from 15.00 hours onwards. I have only ever seen the switching of tracks in limited circumstances before - usually to terminate a late runner to the airport. Does anybody know what went wrong ? It was announced as "Signalling Problems" but this seems to have been an extreme event.

 

[kermit]

Somebody switched something on that they shouldn't have on the Ordsall Chord?

 

[beavercreek]

Somebody switched something on that they shouldn't have on the Ordsall Chord?

There was a Cat A spad so the UP line between Oxford Rd and Man Pic wasn’t in use whilst the signal was checked.

 

[Highlandspring]

Not quite correct, the way they actually got round it was to run bi-directionally - i.e. Down direction on the Up line and Up direction on the Down line until the signal involved could be tested and the WSF allegation signed off. I stood on platform 13/14 at Picadilly and watched it with great interest for about half an hour while waiting for my train.