Scotfail

[CarterUSM]

Oh well another interesting experience .The 427 from barassie was cancelled, so i decided to get a cab to troon as not all traina stop at barassie. So next option is 455 from troon at about 440ish an empty 334 passes 10 mins later i assume same 334 flies past troon looking about 20 % full. Train arrived 10mins late which aint bad however it proceeded to stop at barassie where its not scheduled to ! Angry aint the word no information whatsoever

Did you try the help point/booking office? It really pays to be pro-active about gathering info too, as i wouldn't rely on CCTV making announcements , and certainly not the CIS screens?

 

[me123]

Yeah, though i've a feeling folk will have been heading home since luchtime! I think they'll be happy enough if a unit turns up never mind anything else!

As soon as I saw they were off, I assumed that they wouldn't be back on. Indeed, there were some staff in Partick who had been sent home by Scotrail! (Presumably their shifts finished before the trains started up again). But a lot of us had thought that they might not start up again, and life would be much more difficult in the rush hour if there's no trains!

Anyway, I got to Bellshill and got a bus. And I wasn't the only one.

The staff at Partick today were as helpful as they could be, but with so little information there's so little they can actually do. It's a bit of a farce.

 

[CarterUSM]

As soon as I saw they were off, I assumed that they wouldn't be back on. Indeed, there were some staff in Partick who had been sent home by Scotrail! (Presumably their shifts finished before the trains started up again). But a lot of us had thought that they might not start up again, and life would be much more difficult in the rush hour if there's no trains!

Anyway, I got to Bellshill and got a bus. And I wasn't the only one.

The staff at Partick today were as helpful as they could be, but with so little information there's so little they can actually do. It's a bit of a farce.

At least you got home regardless, bit of a bummer all the same!

 

[route101]

Even road transport is a mess. East Kilbride Bus station was practically empty at 15:00. Might have to use the EK line tomorrow.

I managed to get a 66 fairly easily from the Queensway to Glasgow this afternoon , the 66 seemed to run well. Caught a 31 aswell and even managed to get through Carmunnock.

 

[The_Stig]

That is more or less the case, but i cannot understand why this cannot be rectified one way or another, is there a solution to this?

ScotRail spent a considerable amount of money trying to avoid a repeat of last years failing 334's by replacing some major components of the unit. Only around 3 have not had the modifications. There are new things being implemented to try and combat the problems, but when the rest of the fleet start falling down then sometimes it is something that is very hard to combat.

Unfortunately some thing that have been tried crop up with new problems and cause more heartache.




On the subject of over-crowded trains I was on a rather cramped unit that was terminated early. I had no choice but to over-hear some of the passengers moan about the train service not running properly and being over-crowded. This was followed by the fact that they usually took their cars to work but could not drive them out of their street.

To these moaning minnies- if you usually take your car and not the train things are not going to improve. Did they seriously think that they were the only ones that were unable to drive to work?

 

[Bittern]

I would think people who can't drive wouldn't be able to drive to work either. As would people who don't have a job.

 

[me123]

But, of course, train companies are prepared for this. Don't you know that they have thousands of carriages just sitting in the sidings waiting for heavy snowfall?

The logic of some people is just ridiculous. There is overcrowding on the network day in and day out. Even when a full service is running, they think it's sensible to suggest that the trains should be putting on more carriages in the snow even though the trains are overcrowded regardless.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

At least you got home regardless, bit of a bummer all the same!

I think it was a combination of luck, and a rather sad knowledge of local public transport.

The 201 ran very well today, mostly because the roads were very quiet. But if the buses had been cancelled, the logic in going to Bellshill was that I would at the very least be closer to home.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
On Scotrail's Journeycheck website, a number of trains have already been cancelled tomorrow

These include;

• All services between Glasgow and Cumbernauld
• All services between Motherwell and Cumbernauld
• All services from Glasgow to Whifflet
• xx:15 and xx:45 departures from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh
• xx:00 and xx:30 departures from Edinburgh to Glasgow Queen Street
• All services between Edinburgh and Bathgate
• All services between Glasgow and Anniesland via Maryhill
• All services between Springburn and Dalmuir
• All services between Milngavie and High Street (note that there is no mention yet of Airdrie-Milngavie morning limited stop services; it appears that these are still expected to run)

As of yet, there is no mention of other disrupted services (such as; services via Shotts, services in Ayrshire, Fife trains etc), but it looks like a similar service will be running as has been over the last few days.

 

[CarterUSM]

ScotRail spent a considerable amount of money trying to avoid a repeat of last years failing 334's by replacing some major components of the unit. Only around 3 have not had the modifications. There are new things being implemented to try and combat the problems, but when the rest of the fleet start falling down then sometimes it is something that is very hard to combat.

Unfortunately some thing that have been tried crop up with new problems and cause more heartache

Could you elaborate a little stig, for my genuine interest of course! I see that the regeneritive braking has been isolated again, though through the TMS this time, or i think so anyway, i don't pay great attention to notices that have no bearing on my particular duties!

 

[Bittern]

But, of course, train companies are prepared for this. Don't you know that they have thousands of carriages just sitting in the sidings waiting for heavy snowfall?

The logic of some people is just ridiculous. There is overcrowding on the network day in and day out. Even when a full service is running, they think it's sensible to suggest that the trains should be putting on more carriages in the snow even though the trains are overcrowded regardless.

If there's one thing I've learned in my new job, it's that the most of general public are complete idiots.

 

[CarterUSM]

Congrats on the job Bittern! The public are generally okay if your cool by them, thats what i've found anyway over several occupations. What i really notice is that many folk just want a bit of reassurance , either that or they're lazy!

 

[me123]

It depends on the public, though. Working in a supermarket, I'd say most of them were nice and sensible and friendly and reasonable. Having worked in a call centre, most of our customers there were either abusive, retarded, or both.

On the railways, you've got a very tough job because people expect things to go wrong but don't make any allowances for it. The best staff on the railways for me are the ones who actually do their best to explain what's happening, even if they have been let down by the system (as seems to have happened this week on Scotrail).

But what I've noticed this week is that the staff jump to the defensive now when you ask them a question, which makes me wonder what the public have been doing to these poor people.

 

[Greenback]

It's the call centre effect that makes them like that! I refuse to call them at all, since by the time I;ve listened to about thirty messages telling me how important my call is, plus ten minutes of extremely grim muzak, I feel aggressive enough to rip someones arm off and beat them to death with the wet end. And I'm a pacifist!

 

[me123]

THE FOLLOWING SERVICES ARE SUSPENDED TODAY:

Glasgow Queen Street-Edinburgh via Falkirk: Half hourly, as previously
Edinburgh-Dunblane: Hourly; xx:33 from Edinburgh, xx:58 from Dunblane
Glasgow Queen Street-Dunblane: Start and terminate at Stirling
Glasgow Queen Street-Alloa: Normal service
Glasgow Queen Street-Aberdeen: Operating with additional calls at Dunblane
Edinburgh-Perth via Fife: SUSPENDED
Edinburgh-Inverness: running via Stirling
Edinburgh-Dundee: SUSPENDED
Edinburgh-Aberdeen: Operating, with additional calls in Fife
Edinburgh-Dunbar: SUSPENDED
Edinburgh-North Berwick: Operating
Edinburgh-Bathgate: SUSPENDED
Edinburgh-Newcraighall: Shuttle service
Fife Circle: Start and terminate at Edinburgh; "full circle" only

Glasgow Queen Street-Cumbernauld-Falkirk Grahamston: SUSPENDED
Glasgow Queen Street-Anniesland via Maryhill: SUSPENDED
Dalmuir-Springburn via Yoker: SUSPENDED
Milngavie-High Street/Bellgrove: SUSPENDED
Balloch-Airdrie: SUSPENDED, with a half hourly shuttle service between Balloch and Dumbarton Central.
Helensburgh-Airdrie: Normal service, with additional calls at Kilpatrick and Bowling
Motherwell-Coatbridge Central electric services: SUSPENDED
Dalmuir-Larkhall via Singer: SUSPENDED, with a replacement bus between Hamilton Central and Larkhall
Motherwell-Lanark: Hourly service to/from Dalmuir via Yoker. Services to/from Milngavie start and terminate at Motherwell.

Glasgow Central-Gourock: Limited stop services cancelled
Glasgow Central-Ardrossan Harbour: SUSPENDED, except for services connecting to ferries
Glasgow Central-Ayr: Operating, with additional stops in Howwood, Lochwinnoch and Dalry; and some rush hour cancellations
Glasgow Central-Whifflet: SUSPENDED
Motherwell-Cumbernauld: SUSPENDED

Aberdeen-Inverurie: Services terminating at Inverurie cancelled and will terminate.start at Aberdeen where appropriate.
Aberdeen-Inverness: Operating

 

[Failed Unit]

I don't know if failed units are hitting scotrail hard now but this morning most sets on Edinburgh - Glasgow were 3 cars and very over crowded!

 

[me123]

Presumably in that case the Turbostars aren't coping. They're normally 6 cars, so the reduction in service and train length equates to losing 75% of available seats!

 

[Failed Unit]

I suspect not I have heard turbos and snow don't mix. The Dunblane route throws up alsorts at the moment with no real logic other than probably what was at Waverley at the time. We have had 2 car 158s, 4 car 158s, turbos and 156s are back. In an ideal world with the reduced service 4 car sets would run but I think Scotrail haven't got enough. I think the Haymarket chaps will have their work cut out to restore the service this year to be honest even if the snow stops.

 

[me123]

All North Clyde services are once again suspended due to a train failure in the Shettleston area...

 

[90019]

I suspect not I have heard turbos and snow don't mix. The Dunblane route throws up alsorts at the moment with no real logic other than probably what was at Waverley at the time. We have had 2 car 158s, 4 car 158s, turbos and 156s are back. In an ideal world with the reduced service 4 car sets would run but I think Scotrail haven't got enough. I think the Haymarket chaps will have their work cut out to restore the service this year to be honest even if the snow stops.

The only unusual thing I've seen on the Dunblanes recently was a 4 car 156 last friday before the snow, but I'm not sure if that was a Glasgow serivce or not.
Other than that, it's just been single 170s and a mix of single and double 158s from what I've seen, which is pretty much what they usually are.

 

[me123]

North Clydes should now be back on, subject to change.

 

[tbtc]

the Turbostars aren't coping

I really hope lessons are learnt for future Scottish stock, given the frequency of winters...

 

[me123]

Winters are as frequent up here as they are anywhere else; we get (on average) one winter a year
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The overhead wires are now down at Mount Florida.

Glasgow-Neislton services are suspended
Cathcart Circle services are suspended
All trains to Newton via Kirkhill are operating via Maxwell Park

 

[Failed Unit]

The only unusual thing I've seen on the Dunblanes recently was a 4 car 156 last friday before the snow, but I'm not sure if that was a Glasgow serivce or not.
Other than that, it's just been single 170s and a mix of single and double 158s from what I've seen, which is pretty much what they usually are.

There is a diagramed service for 156s. I am sure it is the 1648 Glasgow - dunblane. (but could be the 1618).

As for the turbo's saw one today rear coach had failed so the doors couldn't open on it. Another set for the boys at Haymarket to sort out. It will be a long time before normal service in Scotland resumes. I wonder if the A-b re-opening is a risk?

 

[me123]

It's got to be. No 380s in service (with a botched last-minute attempt to get passenger services running today) and the snow (and subsequent train failures).

Realistically, it would be silly to proceed with reopening the line at this moment in time.
Which will be a huge shame, because the line itself is finished on time and otherwise ready to go. In the best possible way, I hope that they do postpone the reopening for the greater good.

 

[The_Stig]

I see that the regeneritive braking has been isolated again, though through the TMS this time, or i think so anyway, i don't pay great attention to notices that have no bearing on my particular duties!

The brake regen has been isoltated fully using the isolation switch in the driving cabs.

 

[route:oxford]

I suspect not I have heard turbos and snow don't mix. The Dunblane route throws up alsorts at the moment with no real logic other than probably what was at Waverley at the time. We have had 2 car 158s, 4 car 158s, turbos and 156s are back. In an ideal world with the reduced service 4 car sets would run but I think Scotrail haven't got enough. I think the Haymarket chaps will have their work cut out to restore the service this year to be honest even if the snow stops.

Almost anything can turn up over last few days. More likely nothing at all though.

From what I've heard, the 15.33 (turbostar) was running up and down Haymarket platform trying to get the brakes operational. Not sure if it ran.

The 16.33 was running 40 mins late last time I looked.

The 156s are a little underpowered - but they are solid and reliable.

 

[Failed Unit]

Almost anything can turn up over last few days. More likely nothing at all though.

From what I've heard, the 15.33 (turbostar) was running up and down Haymarket platform trying to get the brakes operational. Not sure if it ran.

The 16.33 was running 40 mins late last time I looked.

The 156s are a little underpowered - but they are solid and reliable.

No the 1533 didn't make it. The 1633 was a very sick 158 which for some reason got out ahead of the 1630 delaying it at every stop as the 158 was struggling.

 

[route101]

There is a diagramed service for 156s. I am sure it is the 1648 Glasgow - dunblane. (but could be the 1618).

As for the turbo's saw one today rear coach had failed so the doors couldn't open on it. Another set for the boys at Haymarket to sort out. It will be a long time before normal service in Scotland resumes. I wonder if the A-b re-opening is a risk?

The 156s were regulars on the dunblanes/ Stirlings . Now it iss rare

 

[route:oxford]

No the 1533 didn't make it. The 1633 was a very sick 158 which for some reason got out ahead of the 1630 delaying it at every stop as the 158 was struggling.

Wouldn't surprise me that the 1633 was struggling if it was a bit sick...

It's not as if it would be lightly loaded. It would be carrying the equivalent of the 1503, 1533, 1603 & 1633 passengers - and those who left their office early to get home.

I'm told it was like waiting for a train after a match at Murrayfield at Haymarket for the 1533.

 

[Train Pilchard]

It is turning into a bloody joke now.

Westerton this morning, "can you shed any more light other than what is on the screens" (saying everything is cancelled), the woman was nice enough and we had a bit of a laugh about it but at the end of the day the fact she hasn't been able to get through to 'control' all morning and that nobody has contacted her to tell her what is happening is a joke. I cut my loses and went and got a bus, my half hour journey to work took over 2 hours.

Way home at Partick, the guy who is always on the platform assured me that the Helensbrough service that was listed as calling Hyndland, Drumchapel then all other stops was calling at every stop including Anniesland and Westerton and we were "not to pay attention to the boards". The in train displays had it as an express saying the next stop after Hyndland was Dalmuir. The driver didnt say a word over the tannoy. Queue a lot of people looking ****ed off as we sail through Anniesland and Westerton and get dumped in Drumchapel. Pressed the help button, after 10 minutes I am told she doesn't really know but thinks there are no trains back. Had to walk home in the bitter cold through the slush.

If services are suspended all day put up a sign saying as much and get all the cancelled trains off the boards, they just clog everything up, especially the ones that only show the next 3 trains. Turn off the automatic tannoy updates, they are wrong anbd just confuse everyone. Communicate with people over the tannoy in real time other than we apologise blah blah blah.

I understand a reduced service needs to be run, I understand staff are struggling to make it into work, etc. But they are running a reduced service in a shambolic manner. It is not the staff on the grounds fault (although I didnt appreciate being told the train was stopping at my station when it wasnt), but the whole thing is a mess.

Rant over.

Can't wait for take 5 tomorrow.

 

[CarterUSM]

The brake regen has been isoltated fully using the isolation switch in the driving cabs.

And thats it? They done that last winter.