Storm Reports Jan 14th/15th

[Wivenswold]

Well, the forecast held out, parts of Britain will see snow on Wednesday before a big storm rolls in giving gusts across the country, and in particular the South East, of 60-75mph. Then turning colder with sleet and snow for many.

Things could get messy out there on the rails so I think a thread for discussion about planning for the event and posting photos and information on the inevitable disruption.

 

[syorksdeano]

And for once I'm not having to travel anywhere!

 

[Saint66]

At the moment it looks like a large swathe of the country will suffer overnight Weds into Thurs, and despite earlier forecasts suggesting it would be worse further South, the only area that looks like it will miss out is actually the Northern half of Scotland.

However, the storm is still about two days away, and there is a lot of time for change still, even in such a short time period.

 

[CallySleeper]

Well, the forecast held out, parts of Britain will see snow on Wednesday before a big storm rolls in giving gusts across the country, and in particular the South East, of 60-75mph. Then turning colder with sleet and snow for many.

Not sure which 'forecast' you're referring to, but certainly all that I've seen don't refer to snow on Wednesday, or an emphasis on the south east, or sleet or snow from Thursday; only heavy rain and winds on Wednesday night into Thursday.

One forecast (BBC) were quoted saying that the strength and direction of the winds and timing of the rain isn't completely certain even. As Saint66 said there is still 48hrs ie. loads of time before this weather system arrives. I'm not sure how necessary a thread this far in advance is, or if it's really appropriate to predict "inevitable disruption" given all the unknowns still.

 

[455driver]

Not sure which 'forecast' you're referring to, but certainly all that I've seen don't refer to snow on Wednesday, or an emphasis on the south east, or sleet or snow from Thursday; only heavy rain and winds on Wednesday night into Thursday.

Well I listened to the weather forecast on Heart radio and Devon and Cornwall are expected to get some snow Tuesday into Wednesday, so I dont know which forecast you are listening too!

 

[Temple Meads]

The BBC forecast for my part of Devon has changed in the past couple hours from heavy snow most of Tuesday night, to now just a few hours in the early part of Wednesday.

I'm just taking it all with a pinch of salt until it actually 'hits'...

 

[455driver]

I dont think it will snow down here, if it does it will be about 1/16th of an inch and it will cause mayhem as all the wallies go into overdrive, emptying the shelves of milk and bread and then going out in their car on that 'essential' journey as if they are Jenson Button on crack!

 

[CallySleeper]

I dont think it will snow down here, if it does it will be about 1/16th of an inch and it will cause mayhem as all the wallies go into overdrive, emptying the shelves of milk and bread and then going out in their car on that 'essential' journey as if they are Jenson Button on crack!

I won't snow here either but if it does it'll be worse since the above behaviour will occur on ungritted roads

 

[Ash Bridge]

I dont think it will snow down here, if it does it will be about 1/16th of an inch and it will cause mayhem as all the wallies go into overdrive, emptying the shelves of milk and bread and then going out in their car on that 'essential' journey as if they are Jenson Button on crack!

I like that must just ask, have you encountered any waves over the top of your 143s 153s 150s on the coastal stretch yet since starting driving for FGW?

 

[455driver]

I must just ask, have you encountered any waves over the top of your 143s 153s 150s on the coastal stretch yet since starting driving for FGW?

Hell yeah, those windows are not very well sealed either, on the down trains it is recommended that the driver puts his left arm against the window and keeps the pressure on otherwise the driver gets a bit wet. Oh and I found that out the hard way! The driver sat beside me (I was route learning) was peeing himself laughing, the git!

 

[basfordlad]

What sort of wind speeds mean trains go slower?

Supposed be doing tgv Paris to Munich on Thursday and thinking the winds might disrupt journey.

Or am I worried about nothing? They saying wind gusts of up to 40mph?

 

[Ash Bridge]

Hell yeah, those windows are not very well sealed either, on the down trains it is recommended that the driver puts his left arm against the window and keeps the pressure on otherwise the driver gets a bit wet. Oh and I found that out the hard way! The driver sat beside me (I was route learning) was peeing himself laughing, the git!

I'm not laughing, honest! Seriously though some of those images and videos of trains going through in storms are unbelievable, obviously not for the faint hearted!

 

[mikey9]

Credit where it is due - Scotrail have done a great job with information this time in the Highlands and wider.
Their website is running info on services cancelled, curtailed and expected to run through tomorrow (Weds and into Thursday).

On the train tonight the Guard announced cancellations/curtailment of the Kyle services too.

All this allows many to prepare effectively and identify alternatives if required and is a so much better response than earlier this Winter.

Lets hope it (the weather) follows the plan too

 

[170401]

Credit where it is due - Scotrail have done a great job with information this time in the Highlands and wider.
Their website is running info on services cancelled, curtailed and expected to run through tomorrow (Weds and into Thursday).

I well remember the debates in the late 80s over how the new 156s would handle the West Highland and Highland services they inherited from 37s.

I guess we have our answer now!

 

[PHILIPE]

156s and 37s would be no use if bashing into trees.

 

[455driver]

156s and 37s would be no use if bashing into trees.

I would rather be driving a 37 than a 156 if I am going to hit a tree!

 

[Deepgreen]

The latest Met Office forecast shows a spell of heavy snow in the small hours of Sunday morning over inland Midlands, Southern and SE England, but that's obviously a way off yet.

 

[Saint66]

The latest Met Office forecast shows a spell of heavy snow in the small hours of Sunday morning over inland Midlands, Southern and SE England, but that's obviously a way off yet.

That's definitely wont be happening, will be too warm by that point.

Main concern will be high winds.

 

[Wivenswold]

The jet stream sinks South by the weekend leaving it much colder for all. Too far off for any certainty about Sunday and next week but it certainly looks like we're in for some proper cold, if nothing else.

 

[M60lad]

First casualty of the storms is currently the line between Greenfield and Stalybridge which is blocked due to a tree on the line causing delays to services between these 2 Stations

 

[Donny158]

I read on national rail enquiries today that a train broke down in the snow between Aviemore and Inverness this morning but I can't really work out which service it was after looking on realtime train. Anyone know which train this was and what rescued it? Many thanks

 

[Wivenswold]

OHL issues at Kidsgrove now.

 

[M60lad]

I'm guessing its going to get worse before it gets better and wll probably be an interesting commute tomorrow morninng

 

[alex17595]

Always bad weather when I plan a trip.
Hopefully doing Far North,West Highland,Kyle and ABD-INV line next week.

ITV seems to think there is going to be 31cm in Aviemore!

 

[berneyarms]

Flooding between North Llanrwst and Blaenau Ffestiniog means trains cannot run between these stations. Buses are running between these stations, extending journey times by up to 30 minutes. This is expected to continue until at least 14:00 on Thursday 15 January.

Network Rail are on site pumping the water but there is predicted rainfall and high winds overnight, which may further delay the time estimate for the line to be reopened.

 

[Rich McLean]

I read on national rail enquiries today that a train broke down in the snow between Aviemore and Inverness this morning but I can't really work out which service it was after looking on realtime train. Anyone know which train this was and what rescued it? Many thanks

It was a route proving train

 

[Wivenswold]

Job's gone bad at Watford Junction.

 

[LeylandLen]

The female forecaster just before 2200 on BBC News Channel said the weather next week could be the coldest for the past few years with the cold air coming from the north x

 

[Wivenswold]

The female forecaster just before 2200 on BBC News Channel said the weather next week could be the coldest for the past few years with the cold air coming from the north x

It's weird, it came from nowhere in the forecasts, even the experts were saying it would be wet, windy and mild for the rest of January. It is looking very cold at times next week.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Flooding between North Llanrwst and Blaenau Ffestiniog means trains cannot run between these stations. Buses are running between these stations, extending journey times by up to 30 minutes. This is expected to continue until at least 14:00 on Thursday 15 January.

Network Rail are on site pumping the water but there is predicted rainfall and high winds overnight, which may further delay the time estimate for the line to be reopened.

The Conwy Valley line seems to get flooded/washed away an awful lot...