Thameslink core 30/Oct

[FlippyFF]

Not a good morning - a reportedly broken down train at City Thameslink northbound (1G61?) and a passenger taken ill on the southboubd 08:16 St Pancras to Sevenoaks (1E64) requiring an ambulance to attend.

Simon

 

[tsr]

2O25 (Southbound service) has now been terminated at Farringdon due to the driver being unable to release the brakes. The empties from it (5O25) are still stood at the station receiving fitters' attention. 5 trains trapped outside stations and efforts being made to work services back to platforms

 

[Joe Paxton]

There was talk in at least one document (was is a Route Utilisation Strategy?) about Network Rail learning from London Underground about how to operate a high-frequency metro style operation.

Obviously the Underground isn't perfect, but off the top of my head I can't recall particular problems with LU trains having their brakes lock up and becoming immovable as seems to have happened a few times recently in the Thameslink central core.

 

[Mojo]

There was talk in at least one document (was is a Route Utilisation Strategy?) about Network Rail learning from London Underground about how to operate a high-frequency metro style operation.

It's more puzzling why they seem to just leave trains blocking the line due to one customer being taken ill on a train awaiting medical attention. I seem to remember a similar incident happened at Durham recently with the train blocking the line for several hours. The only medical reason not to remove someone from a train is if they have a spinal injury, or it might also not be physically possible for persons to move someone (e.g. if they are very heavy). Medical guidance on this was published in April 2013 and according to the briefing also applies to Network Rail lines.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/person_ill_on_train

 

[bb21]

To be fair 1E64 didn't actually cause that much of an issue, arriving into St P after a delay of approx 8 mins, presumably due to a passcom just north of the station, and only in the platform for 7 minutes.

2O25 sitting down at Farringdon however caused all sorts of mayhem.

NR Sussex are clearly struggling with their workload this morning, with the ill passenger incident only just created at 1032.

 

[physics34]

24tph

 

[Joe Paxton]

It's more puzzling why they seem to just leave trains blocking the line due to one customer being taken ill on a train awaiting medical attention. ...

Yes, I saw an medical incident unfold recently on a train that has stopped at a station that I thought could have been handled rather better. I'm not entirely sure it was helped by what seemed like a few somewhat excitable young medical staff from a nearby training hospital who came to assist, who I felt may have rather amped up the drama. By contrast, when the ambulance paramedics arrived they were cool as cucumbers and had seen it all before... the incident involved a catatonic young woman who was blind drunk.

 

[bb21]

Yes, I saw an medical incident unfold recently on a train that has stopped at a station that I thought could have been handled rather better. I'm not entirely sure it was helped by what seemed like a few somewhat excitable young medical staff from a nearby training hospital who came to assist, who I felt may have rather amped up the drama. By contrast, when the ambulance paramedics arrived they were cool as cucumbers and had seen it all before... the incident involved a catatonic young woman who was blind drunk.

A call out for "medical professionals" brings in all sorts. I once had to deal with a vet (no kidding) coming forward, claiming to know best, and doing something completely contrary to best practice the company agreed with London Ambulance Service. Passenger ended up being stuck at a station with very poor road access and emergency services struggling to reach the train.

We once had a trial staffing certain key stations with qualified nurses in order to respond to incidents quicker. The result was that they caused more delays than ever before.

 

[Bishopstone]

24tph looooooooool

Yes, an 80 minute gap in services southbound from Preston Park around 12.30, to either Brighton or West Coastway, due to skip stopping and a cancellation.

It's going to be a bundle of laughs for the Great Northern village stations, come next year, as TL turn short and skip stop to try to maintain some sort of order in the Core.

 

[wipers]

I was chatting to one of the staff at City Thameslink earlier, whilst waiting forever for a northbound train (faulty train at Blackfriars now apparently), about the pretty shambolic service at the moment, with today being a real mess. He was really moaning about the general reliability of the trains but also the fact that the staff on the platform can't do anything about the ludicrous dwell times because it's all DOO now, whilst they're specifically told not to make announcements apologising for the service. If you've travelled on the line recently, you'll know it's a complete farce with 2-3 mins at each station just sitting doing nothing through the central section with trains literally one behind the other.

 

[Bromley boy]

This had a knock on effect on SE services as TL services were being run down to Sevenoakes via Orpington.

Surprising how much difference a few extra trains can make at a crucial time of the morning.

 

[J-2739]

24tph looooooooool

I swear you've said that in every thread about the failing 700s

 

[bramling]

Yes, an 80 minute gap in services southbound from Preston Park around 12.30, to either Brighton or West Coastway, due to skip stopping and a cancellation.

It's going to be a bundle of laughs for the Great Northern village stations, come next year, as TL turn short and skip stop to try to maintain some sort of order in the Core.

The whole concept is falling apart already, and 24tph hasn't even started.

 

[jon0844]

I swear you've said that in every thread about the failing 700s

Soon it will be 24hpt...

 

[ComUtoR]

whilst they're specifically told not to make announcements apologising for the service.

I can't speak for platform staff but I have never been told not to apologise. In fact, quite the opposite.

If you've travelled on the line recently, you'll know it's a complete farce with 2-3 mins at each station just sitting doing nothing through the central section with trains literally one behind the other.

It's not a farce if the service is on time. You sit there for 2/3 minutes because you have a booked dwell time.

 

[bramling]

You sit there for 2/3 minutes because you have a booked dwell time.

From a passenger point of view it's a pain in the backside as it makes for a slow journey.

Naturally there's a trade-off between speed and performance for which there's no right or wrong answer, but it's still annoying to be sitting around all over the place. If I go by car I don't randomly sit down for 2 or 3 minutes everytime I pass a layby, which is how many users will see it!

 

[jon0844]

It is a pain but in the timetable so shouldn't delay anyone.

 

[physics34]

I swear you've said that in every thread about the failing 700s

Im afraid i probably have lol

 

[J-2739]

Im afraid i probably have lol

Tbh, while I quite like the 700s (quiet ambience and very spacious in openess sense), they really do need to step up reliability on these units. 24tph sounds nightmarish right now!

Hope the ill person gets better.

 

[gazthomas]

Soon it will be 24hpt...

Easy now

 

[J-2739]

Soon it will be 24hpt...

Haha, good one