Trains delayed by weather conditions

[Whistler40145]

What has been the worst delay you have encountered on a train due to severe weather conditions?

Also, what happens to the traincrew on a severely delayed train when they have worked in excess of their booked hours?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

En route from Euston to Manchester once, it started snowing at around Milton Keynes.

By Rugby everything had ground to a halt; journey aborted - had to return to Euston after a protracted delay.

This was in the late 1980s / early 1990s; I'll have to dig up my photos to find the exact date but it was notable for a number of class 31s with chime whistles being involved in the rescue operation.

One of the other trains stranded was an up Motorail Sleeper; after the recovery and with everyone back at Euston, it was discovered that someone had forgotten about recovering the Motorail vans, which were presumably still at Rugby - the Area Manager's office at Euston was beseiged with yelling motorists waving their fists in the air!

 

[Whistler40145]

My experience was on Pathfinder Tour's Class 58 farewell tour re-run with 2x56, things didn't start well with the roof blowing off Platform 12 @ Crewe, we set off for Stafford & by the time we reached the M6 over bridge an announcement came over that we were being caped @ Stafford & no transport was going to be provided back to Crewe, this changed when no Coaches could be provided. We spent an hour @ Stafford with the 56s bolted back on for departure back to Crewe, we then spent nearly an hour again near the M6 over bridge where the Guard had to chop a tree down, eventually we set off for Crewe using the 56s slow speed control & arrived back at Crewe about 3 hours later.

 

[trentside]

I've been remarkably lucky over the years with the weather. The worst delay I can think of is being left with no services when waiting at Saxilby due to high winds damaging scaffolding on the approach to Lincoln - which had trapped all trains in the station. The next day I had a delay of around two hours due to wind damage, though it would have been more as Northern control were determined to terminate the train at Gainsborough Lea Road. Fortunately, the train crew argued for us continuing to Lincoln.

 

[Whistler40145]

Another time in the early 1990s when InterCity services were being dragged from Preston to Carlisle due to high winds on Shap. I had heard that a 37/4 was out dragging. I decided to goto Lancaster, hoping the 37 would return South, sadly not. As expected, the timetable went completely out of the window. I can't remember how long I had to wait for a Southbound service, but was glad to get back to Blackpool.

 

[telstarbox]

During snow-related disruption in December 2010, passengers had to stay on a train overnight near Orpington:

http://www.bromleytimes.co.uk/news/train_passengers_stranded_overnight_on_orpington_trains_1_742686

 

[steamybrian]

About 8 hours on the Canadian Railways high up on the Rockies on a train between Toronto and Vancouver. Delay due to snow drifts , failed freight train and a broken rail. I did not mind as I was asleep during most of the time in a sleeping berth..! In compensation full breakfast and for lunch anything on the menu was complimentary! I cant complain.
On BR in the snowbound 1980s it once took me 4 hours to cover London-Tonbridge which normally takes 40 minutes. The 3rd rail EMUs had virtually all failed so I got home thanks to the Hastings Diesels were still running albeit mega-late trapped behind failed EMUs.

 

[Whistler40145]

Anyone remember the heavy snow in Kent and the SouthEast with 33s & 56s rescuing EMUs? Did any other Diesel Classes come out to play?

 

[VTPreston_Tez]

The 2011 high winds caused massive disruption in and around Preston - I was caught up in this and led to chaos getting to Manchester Airport, on the way back a week later the Edinburgh service was started at Oxford Road but it left before the shuttle service got there, which led to total outrage and a very full 6 car 185, not even declassified until after Horwich!

 

[steamybrian]

Anyone remember the heavy snow in Kent and the SouthEast with 33s & 56s rescuing EMUs? Did any other Diesel Classes come out to play?

Yes -Travelled in a 12 CEP dragged by a class 33 from Tonbridge-Waterloo East
In those far off BR days any available diesel loco was used to run a passenger service so class 47, and 73s were also possibly used.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Anyone remember the heavy snow in Kent and the SouthEast with 33s & 56s rescuing EMUs? Did any other Diesel Classes come out to play?

At least one 47/3 did.

 

[Yew]

5 hour delay on the sleeper due to wires blowing down. should have got to Edinburgh at 7ish, ended up in glasgow at around 10, got to edinburgh a little before 12.

 

[12CSVT]

During snow-related disruption in December 2010, passengers had to stay on a train overnight near Orpington:

http://www.bromleytimes.co.uk/news/train_passengers_stranded_overnight_on_orpington_trains_1_742686

Even that's nothing compared to being stuck in snow for 3 days between Dent station and Rise Hill tunnel in 1963 when almost the entire country was covered in a whiteout.

 

[Whistler40145]

During bad snow, I witnessed the Northbound Sleepers going through Crewe at Lunchtime.

 

[Crossover]

The 2011 high winds caused massive disruption in and around Preston - I was caught up in this and led to chaos getting to Manchester Airport, on the way back a week later the Edinburgh service was started at Oxford Road but it left before the shuttle service got there, which led to total outrage and a very full 6 car 185, not even declassified until after Horwich!

Plus in Scotland!

I have mentioned it a few times on here so I won't repeat myself, but will link to it

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=1193988&postcount=60

EDIT: Also:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=684920&postcount=123

 

[The Big Boo]

the 14.15 Fort William- Glasgow actually got "lost" in a snow drift in Jan 1984.

Crawled into GQS about 3am the following morning.

 

[Whistler40145]

I find it amazing that the loco didn't run out of fuel.

The journey must have been quite an experience.

I expect the traincrew were glad to reach Glasgow!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I suspect this thread might grow over the next couple of days...