Storm Eowyn Disruption - 24/1/25

[Struner]

mainwhile, somewhere in the central belt (or further south in scotland )
photo: scotrail

 

[MrB]

Jubilee line just been shut from Stratford due to flooding, so will be interesting to see the videos of that when they surface!

Flooding at Canary Wharf per TfL. Living not far from there the weather hasn’t been too bad today (relatively speaking) so not sure if there’s some other issue occurring

 

[Hipster123]

Does anyone have any idea if there is any specific requirements for a toc to deem a route “do not travel”?

Only reason I ask is because tomorrow I am having to pay for a taxi from Preston to Ulverston because northern are not running any trains on this route.

Today fair enough due to the strong winds, until last night it was due to reopen 12pm tomorrow I assume so they can check for any trees etc that may have fallen onto the track today. But I find it absolutely ridiculous Northern are happy to leave everyone stranded when tomorrow in Ulverston it is 15mph wind and sunny.

And yes there could be some damage/obstructions on the track due to todays weather but there is simply no reason why they can’t organise a replacement bus service considering all local roads are open as normal and the weather tomorrow is looking good.

Guess it’s down to northern can’t be bothered paying for replacement buses as they are already presumably paying the drivers/guards who where meaning to be working tomorrow but are not now due to the line closing.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Jan 2025 ==

Forgot to put in the above post they changed it last night so rather than the route reopening 12pm tomorrow it is now closed until Sunday

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Only reason I ask is because tomorrow I am having to pay for a taxi from Preston to Ulverston because northern are not running any trains on this route.

Who's paying for the taxi? Could the journey still be made, less expensively, by taking the train to Lancaster with TPE, then the 555 bus to Kendal and the 6 or X6 bus from Kendal to Ulverston?

 

[infobleep]

50mph applied from 11.48, XC 1G37 advised by signaller before leaving York. Arrived Newcastle 100 mins late after OHL probs at Aycliffe and waiting services running simbids over down line. People should listen when DO NOT TRAVEL is issued.

What does simbids mean?

 

[Peterthegreat]

What does simbids mean?

Simplified bi-directional signalling.

 

[Horizon22]

What does simbids mean?

Simplified Bi-Directional Signalling.

 

[hexagon789]

What does simbids mean?

Simplified Bi-Directional Signalling.

Wrong line is usually signalled with fewer signals (2/3 aspect against 4 right road for example) with lower speeds and no AWS fitted - such as the northern ECML.

 

[infobleep]

On Metro there was a kiddie pool that somehow ended up on the track near Jesmond You do wonder why someone had one of those ready to go in their back garden in the middle of January.

Who do you go when your paddling pool ends up on the railway tracks? It's your next door neighbour but with no house door to knock on or door bell to ring.

 

[Kite159]

..

mainwhile, somewhere in the central belt (or further south in scotlandView attachment 173397 )
photo: scotrail

That looks either photoshopped or AI generated.

----

What was the reason given by LNR into why they binned off running Crewe - Liverpool trains today? Line must have been open as Avanti are running and TfW between Liverpool & Runcorn.

 

[Leaguer]

So all the buses around Halifax have been fine all day, they’ve even had the double deckers out on all the usual routes including the X1/501 and 576. Those who know the area will know they’re both fairly exposed routes.

There really was no reason at all for Northern to bin everything off on the Calder Valley. Still, I’m sure it’s saved them a good whack on overtime.

I wouldn’t have made it home anyway and I was happy to have the extra night in Halifax. But it’s a bloody poor show from Northern. I definitely think they were pulling a fast one.

I have no doubt that as usual Northern ran the railway they chose to run for operational convienience. Why did Leeds to Nottingham not run? This was in a yellow warning area. Was it due to staffing issues due to ongoing sickness

 

[PyrahnaRanger]

Flooding at Canary Wharf per TfL. Living not far from there the weather hasn’t been too bad today (relatively speaking) so not sure if there’s some other issue occurring

I've been pottering around the area all day, on DLR and Lizzie line. It hasn't really rained apart from some drizzle this morning. Burst water main?

Lizzie towards Abbey wood was OK this morning apart from some really long seeming dwells in stations. And also the first time I've ever come to a halt in the tunnels on there.

That looks either photoshopped or AI generated.

I'm sure we've seen it before - could it be a file photo?

Have Avanti definitely given up the ghost for north of Preston tomorrow? This isn't a bad hotel, but I'm missing my own pillows!

Am I reading it correctly that TPE are running Preston-Carlisle? If that's the case, I'll do Avanti to Preston and TPE to Carlisle, then get a lift from Carlisle (hopefully)

 

[Tetchytyke]

Could the journey still be made, less expensively, by taking the train to Lancaster with TPE, then the 555 bus to Kendal and the 6 or X6 bus from Kendal to Ulverston?

Yes. But it would take about eleventy billion hours.

Still, Northern are saving on the overtime bill and that’s really what it is all about.

 

[Class15]

Simplified Bi-Directional Signalling.

Wrong line is usually signalled with fewer signals (2/3 aspect against 4 right road for example) with lower speeds and no AWS fitted - such as the northern ECML.

Is this the type of bi-di used on the Great Eastern?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Yes. But it would take about eleventy billion hours.

Still, Northern are saving on the overtime bill and that’s really what it is all about.

If you can afford the taxi, or someone else is picking up the tab, go by taxi. Got to be North of £80 though, I would have thought.

 

[43066]

Have Avanti definitely given up the ghost for north of Preston tomorrow? This isn't a bad hotel, but I'm missing my own pillows!

No Avanti services north of Preston tomorrow, now confirmed on their website I’m afraid.

 

[Tetchytyke]

you can afford the taxi, or someone else is picking up the tab, go by taxi. Got to be North of £80 though, I would have thought.

Northern should be picking up the tab. If Northern were an airline the law would say they had to pick up the tab.

I think we all know the routes that are closed on Saturday are closed because of Northern’s staffing issues. It’s a disgrace.

Mad, isn’t it, how there’s stronger regulation against Ryanair than there is against the provider of an essential public service.

 

[30907]

I think we all know the routes that are closed on Saturday are closed because of Northern’s staffing issues. It’s a disgrace.

Leeds -Carlisle/Lancaster are not known for cancellations staffing issues.
Nor the Cumbrian Coast.

Nor (today) Airedale/Wharfedale which fell over around 0700.

 

[dk1]

Moved off now should expect all lines open soon.

All lines opened on my return and was early/waiting time everywhere. Just wanted to get home for The Traitors final

 

[Hipster123]

Who's paying for the taxi? Could the journey still be made, less expensively, by taking the train to Lancaster with TPE, then the 555 bus to Kendal and the 6 or X6 bus from Kendal to Ulverston?

Will be me paying for the taxi unfortunately. Yes I did consider taking the bus but it isn’t idle for me due to it taking significantly longer. However thanks for the suggestion anyways

Northern should be picking up the tab. If Northern were an airline the law would say they had to pick up the tab.

I think we all know the routes that are closed on Saturday are closed because of Northern’s staffing issues. It’s a disgrace.

Mad, isn’t it, how there’s stronger regulation against Ryanair than there is against the provider of an essential public service.

Yes I think it’s crazy how Northern can say “do not travel” when there is no bad weather at all tomorrow and because they have said “do not travel” it means they do not have to run trains or put on rail replacement buses and then they can deny any taxi claims people try to put in due to the silly do not travel notice.

As you and others have said I agree it is almost certainly the fact Northern want to save a bit on overtime and also the lack of staffing issues they are currently facing which has led to them not running trains tomorrow on some lines, bet Northern wish the wind had of carried on until tomorrow so they could have said do not travel on Sunday either!

 

[infobleep]

Northern should be picking up the tab. If Northern were an airline the law would say they had to pick up the tab.

I think we all know the routes that are closed on Saturday are closed because of Northern’s staffing issues. It’s a disgrace.

Mad, isn’t it, how there’s stronger regulation against Ryanair than there is against the provider of an essential public service.

I don't know that. It might partly be the case but I don't know if it actually is.

 

[alanbur]

But Northern’s decisions seem to be more based on what they can be arsed running. Sadly Northern have no shame and there’s no meaningful way of making their management have shame.

And even more sadly, you seem to be completely right - unaccountable apparently no way of sanctioning them and they clearly just don't give a £uck.

Perhaps they'll tell us they are out of fax paper again?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Jan 2025 ==

As you and others have said I agree it is almost certainly the fact Northern want to save a bit on overtime and also the lack of staffing issues they are currently facing which has led to them not running trains tomorrow on some lines, bet Northern wish the wind had of carried on until tomorrow so they could have said do not travel on Sunday either!

180 services cancelled tomorrow already. Mind you, they cancelled 1,000 today.

 

[43066]

Leeds -Carlisle/Lancaster are not known for cancellations staffing issues.
Nor the Cumbrian Coast.

Nor (today) Airedale/Wharfedale which fell over around 0700.

Indeed. If it was down to crew shortages they’d just state that. They’re OLR anyway, so it’s not as if they have a reputation they need to care about protecting!

Not to say their regular crewing issues are acceptable, of course, but I don’t think this idea that they’re using the storm as an excuse really stacks up.

 

[startingaparty]

Does anyone know what happened on the Blackpool North - Manchester Airport line today?

It was not included in Northern's list of 'Do Not Travel' routes but the service was abysmal. The trains were running fine in the morning and I made it to work okay, but there most trains were cancelled come the afternoon.

I wish Northern had said from the outset it was going to be a 'do not travel' route as then I wouldn't have bothered going to work and stayed at home.

 

[alanbur]

Does anyone know what happened on the Blackpool North - Manchester Airport line today?

It's not just today, over the last 4 weeks it's been one of Northern's most cancelled routes, and when not cancelled, disrupted.
https://www.railforums.co.uk/attachments/screenshot_2025-01-24_23-05-58-png.173413/

 

[Bletchleyite]

What was the reason given by LNR into why they binned off running Crewe - Liverpool trains today? Line must have been open as Avanti are running and TfW between Liverpool & Runcorn.

They never gave one, which is extremely poor. I would personally quite like to see an honest explanation and potentially admission they called it wrong.

 

[Geeves]

Will be me paying for the taxi unfortunately. Yes I did consider taking the bus but it isn’t idle for me due to it taking significantly longer. However thanks for the suggestion anyways


Yes I think it’s crazy how Northern can say “do not travel” when there is no bad weather at all tomorrow and because they have said “do not travel” it means they do not have to run trains or put on rail replacement buses and then they can deny any taxi claims people try to put in due to the silly do not travel notice.

As you and others have said I agree it is almost certainly the fact Northern want to save a bit on overtime and also the lack of staffing issues they are currently facing which has led to them not running trains tomorrow on some lines, bet Northern wish the wind had of carried on until tomorrow so they could have said do not travel on Sunday either!

If anyone is booked rest day work tomorrow they will just be sat in the mess room, if the powers that be decide to pre cancel all the trains, that's on them, us at the bottom do as we are told, and will turn in for work.

As far as cancelled trains tomorrow go it will likely be a day repositioning all the stock that has been parked here there and everywhere today, plus any residual line blocks due to damage to infrastructure etc.

As far as the NW Manchester area the trains have ran better this week than they have for a long time with very few cancelled trains up till today.

 

[driverd]

50mph applied from 11.48, XC 1G37 advised by signaller before leaving York. Arrived Newcastle 100 mins late after OHL probs at Aycliffe and waiting services running simbids over down line. People should listen when DO NOT TRAVEL is issued.

In honesty, I think thats about what you'd expect, delays wise, on a day like today. Seems quite sensible to me - slower trains and reduced frequency, longer journey time but atleast something of a service for those who must travel.

 

[Dave S 56F]

Travelling on the ex 06:09am XC train to Sheffield we have just had to reduce speed at south kirby jct overhead line damage in Hemsworth good luck anyone travelling on L.N.E.R. to Doncaster and peterborough and later XC services the 07:09am service.

 

[InkyScrolls]

Leeds to Carlisle/Lancaster are not known for cancellations staffing issues. Nor the Cumbrian Coast.

Nor (today) Airedale/Wharfedale which fell over around 0700.

Indeed! It's not all some great conspiracy...