Another tree came down on the Portsmouth Direct tracks this evening. This time around Haslemere. It affected trains but they were not as badly affected as they were the other evening when one fall at Witley, so the tree must have been easier to deal with. South West Trains canceled some trains and diverted others to using the Basingstoke lines from London.
Train companies say that during disruptions where might be last minute alterations or cancellations. I don't normally come across this when there is disruption but tonight I did. At the last minute the 18.55 from Woking was diverted via Basingstoke. I'd already decided to take a chance with later trains and visit the supermarket.
In contrast the 19.15 was changed from being diverted to running to Portsmouth at the last minute. Once I got on board, the Guard announced he had just been informed of a tree on the line and it would be cancelled from Guildford. Perhaps the people on board were not told of the diversion. It was listed on National Rail Enquiries about 2 minutes before it was due to leave. Anyway the guard said he would check if the train was still to be cancelled.
At Guildford it was listed as expected to arrive 2 minutes late. As I and many others left the station I noticed it was listed as delayed. Just checking real train times I see they cancelled it, as he said they would.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/W94318/2013/10/26. However no need to provide road transport, as he suggested they might, as the next train ran through, although late.
I also see a train to Ascot was cancelled again because of an obstruction. Also the 19.30 was cancelled between Waterloo and Woking due to an unknown cause. It seems likely that the unknown cause was the tree falling on the line.
It's fairly windy now. I just hope I don't have any cancelled trains tomorrow morning, as I'm heading to Gomshall for a 13 mile walk to Dorking. The trains only run once an hour towards Gatwick. It's every two hours to Gomsahll but they do add in extra stops if the previous hour's train is cancelled. However, an hour is too late when meeting people arriving by car and the evenings get darker earlier.
Thunderstorms are also a possibility for early Sunday morning, along with rain. So if the wind doesn't get the trains, perhaps a lightening strike will. If really unlucky they will get both. That's nature for you.
