Thameslink disruption 05/03

[Saint66]

It seems that the Northern section of the Thameslink line has been hit by two major incidents within half an hour. A person has been hit by a train at Leagrave, while at a similar time, OHLE problems have caused disruption at Bedford (Reports of a broken down train at Bedford- Possibly related)

Delays on both FCC and EMT of over 60 minutes at the moment between St Pancras and Bedford.

When it goes wrong, it goes really wrong!

 

[EM2]

These are two separate incidents. Delays on EMT are minor, as fast lines have remained open.

 

[Bald Rick]

Must be meet the manager at St Albans tonight.

 

[LBSCR Times]

At present unable to get stock out of the Carraige Sidings, Jowett Sidings or Cauldwell Depot due to the OHLE being damaged.

 

[andythebrave]

Crew on Bletchley to Bedford somewhat bemused that they had to turn round at St Johns. Meanwhile, that's another extra walk done and probably another on the way home.

 

[DarloRich]

They are still turning the Marston Vale line services at Bedford St John - i didn't know that was possible!

 

[LowLevel]

More likely to be possible than not on the average single line isn't it I guess, unless it's got something like requiring the track circuits to be occupied in a certain manner before the signals can be cleared again - I assume it's just track circuit block signalling so they can turn around en route on the single as they wish?

 

[John Webb]

While working at St Albans South signal box this afternoon we heard frequent announcements from the adjacent City station that the FCC trains were terminating at Flitwick with buses onward to Bedford, or that some East Midland trains were doing extra stops at Bedford and people could change at Luton to catch them.

 

[tjlrailblue]

video of pantograph strike at bedford is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YqLB-TMvhg

[youtube]0YqLB-TMvhg[/youtube]

 

[user15681]

video of pantograph strike at bedford is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YqLB-TMvhg

Wow. Looks like a good response from all the staff, though.

 

[tjlrailblue]

yes. lots of staff around thankfully. they were carrying out other works before the strike (at the north of the station I think).


tim

 

[Bishopstone]

No FCC trains to the Brighton Main Line when I left the London office at 18.00, and the message was 'use Southern'.

Another example of why facilities are needed to split Thameslink into north and south sectors in times of disruption, rather than take everything out of service because it can't get through from/to to Luton/Bedford etc.

 

[ushawk]

No FCC trains to the Brighton Main Line when I left the London office at 18.00, and the message was 'use Southern'.

Another example of why facilities are needed to split Thameslink into north and south sectors in times of disruption, rather than take everything out of service because it can't get through from/to to Luton/Bedford etc.

FCC have been running services through to Brighton this evening, albeit with delays and cancellations, but because of that - advice was given to use Southern. Majority of services didnt run between Bedford and Flitwick.

Stock was also stuck up at Bedford I believe, which further impacted what could and couldnt run.

 

[Class377/5]

No FCC trains to the Brighton Main Line when I left the London office at 18.00, and the message was 'use Southern'.

Another example of why facilities are needed to split Thameslink into north and south sectors in times of disruption, rather than take everything out of service because it can't get through from/to to Luton/Bedford etc.

Simple problem is a fair whack of the stock is trapped in sidings shut down by this incident so what your suggesting still won't work. And that's without displaced crew issues.

Long term of course is new depots at Three Bridges and Hornsey to reduce the risk.

 

[andythebrave]

Southbound pax from Bedford were being sent by bus to Luton which I thought odd when it should have been easy to add Flitwick calls to EMT services or send them wrong way to go via Wellingborough for a faster journey with greatly reduced road transport costs. Also, went down to the south end of platform 1 to have a look at the repairs and could see no good reason why the LM Bletchley services couldn't run normally. Still, it was good brisk walk to St Johns, nice workout for the ticker!

 

[westcoaster]

Southbound pax from Bedford were being sent by bus to Luton which I thought odd when it should have been easy to add Flitwick calls to EMT services or send them wrong way to go via Wellingborough for a faster journey with greatly reduced road transport costs. Also, went down to the south end of platform 1 to have a look at the repairs and could see no good reason why the LM Bletchley services couldn't run normally. Still, it was good brisk walk to St Johns, nice workout for the ticker!

the bletchley could not run due the possrsion being taken, covering the station area. Plus the access point was being used for the unimog to go about its business.

 

[L&Y Robert]

Well done with the video - brilliant. I've looked at it several times, just too far away to be clear, but tantalising enough to wonder exactly went wrong? Referred to as a "Pantograph Strike", but the layout of the wires is such that the pantograph only touches the contact wire, so something - some bit of the overhead? or the panto itself? had come undone - got out of position and got in the way, as it were. Does anybody know?

 

[PG]

Well done with the video - brilliant. I've looked at it several times, just too far away to be clear, but tantalising enough to wonder exactly went wrong? Referred to as a "Pantograph Strike", but the layout of the wires is such that the pantograph only touches the contact wire, so something - some bit of the overhead? or the panto itself? had come undone - got out of position and got in the way, as it were. Does anybody know?

From the video it looks like the pan assembly tips back towards the rear but can't make out if that is in response to the head being caught/restrained or if it tips rearwards first? Someone with decent video equipment could probably enhance it to get a better idea.

I'm sure FCC & NR will investigate to ascertain the cause - maybe the person who made the video could let FCC & NR have a copy in case it's helpful?

 

[ChiefPlanner]

From the video it looks like the pan assembly tips back towards the rear but can't make out if that is in response to the head being caught/restrained or if it tips rearwards first? Someone with decent video equipment could probably enhance it to get a better idea.

I'm sure FCC & NR will investigate to ascertain the cause - maybe the person who made the video could let FCC & NR have a copy in case it's helpful?

Both NR and FCC have the video - there will be a Joint enquiry to find out what the root cause was. On both sides - and bearing in mind there was a "one under" at Flitwick was dealt with very well I thought.

 

[Bald Rick]

The relevant engineer had the video within an hour of it appearing on here (so thank you).

 

[tjlrailblue]

yes of course nr and anyone else can use the video and if it help investigation then good. if they want original files and still pics they canc but too large to email.

with the right gear no doubt video can be slowed down and zoomed in.

tim

 

[pitdiver]

Both NR and FCC have the video - there will be a Joint enquiry to find out what the root cause was. On both sides - and bearing in mind there was a "one under" at Flitwick was dealt with very well I thought.

I live in Flitwick and was not aware of a "One Under" when was this.

 

[Class377/5]

I live in Flitwick and was not aware of a "One Under" when was this.

It wasn't Filtwick, it was Leagrave.