UK Storms

[bicbasher]

The ELL core is open on London Overground with severe delays to New Cross/New Cross Gate, otherwise the rest of the network is shut.

 

[soil]

How can we engineer trees?

chop them down, build fences, etc.

 

[jnjkerbin]

From the BBC "Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT transport union, has attributed the virtual rush-hour shutdown on the railways to staff numbers being "hacked to the bone"."

 

[philjo]

The BBC have posted this photo of a pedestrian footbridge at London Bridge station where the roof has partially collapsed

 

[oversteer]

I think LM were so close to running a good service but one tree on the line at Bushey has done the whole lot. I was cursing the fact I missed my normal train, only for the later one to suddenly go to "Delayed".. according to RTT my normal train arrived at Watford Junction 100 down then threw everyone off..

Hope those p-way'ers have sharped their chainsaws and packed their flasks..

 

[67018]

im no expert but why in the 21st century and in a 1st world country we cannot cope with a windy day?

I believe we *are* coping very well. There were advance warnings of disruption publicised up to three days in advance, updates, detailed information, warnings and emergency timetables posted last night, and constant updates on incidents pretty much as they happen this morning.

My travel plans have been stuffed up big time, but I have been tracking the state of the services since 0530 and was able to go for plan B. Given the flak that the industry has taken in previous incidents, today seems to have been handled exceptionally well so far.

I am not sure why the century really makes a difference - trains are no more able to drive through trees than they were in the 19th - in fact, less so, since we're a bit more averse to people getting killed and injured than people were then.

 

[ModernRailways]

Damage at Faversham station.

 

[ushawk]

Further trees down on the Southern network at Polegate, Ore, Angmering, Uckfield and East Grinstead.

Brighton vs Watford game is due to take place at Falmer Stadium tonight - due to the reliance on public transport for the ground - there is a real chance it will be postponed.

 

[CNash]

SWT now estimating 12:00 for resumption of service...

 

[Chrisgr31]

On the Southern network, trees are down at Hassocks, Keymer Junction, Pulborough, Lancing, Bosham, Seaford, Balham (6 in this area) and the Redhill - Tonbridge line has a lot.

How many on the Uckfield line, or haven't they ventured down it yet? Althought wouldn't surprise me if they are using the Class 171s to carry crew to check other lines as they can still run with the current off, which must make the process easier.

 

[G0ORC]

Wires down at Radlett now......

 

[Mainliner]

Cheds and Dad are booked from Newcastle to London at 1128 on Monday, which might not turn out to be the best timing ever!

Any EastCoast specialists who could provide info nearer the time or Monday morning will be thanked...

And take care all those out and about if this is really difficult.

Not looking good for us - both the 10.25 and 11.28 terminating at Peterborough, due to the wires down at New Southgate, and apparently tree/s down on the Hertford loop.

 

[ushawk]

How many on the Uckfield line, or haven't they ventured down it yet? Althought wouldn't surprise me if they are using the Class 171s to carry crew to check other lines as they can still run with the current off, which must make the process easier.

Not sure.

171s are certainly being used on the East Coastway line. Power issues being reported in the Brighton area too.

Expect no service until 12PM at the earliest.

 

[Chrisgr31]

The BBC have posted this photo of a pedestrian footbridge at London Bridge station where the roof has partially collapsed

Not sure that is actually a railway responsibility. Its the walkway from the station to London Bridge road bridge. presumably the suction of the wind has taken down the suspended ceiling.

 

[noblergt]

I'm due to travel from Huddersfield to Alton today via Northern, East Coast and then South West Trains. I'm travelling on a EC & connections advance, and both East Coast and SWT have said that tickets for today can be used tomorrow instead.

I'm assuming that I can travel tomorrow even though I also have to use Northern, but I just wanted to double check!

 

[A-driver]

lol someone needs to invent something to stop falling trees. is it my imagination was HEX running Ok all this morning?

Quite possible but HEX only runs a few miles of track. If the weather was ok and the line was clear then HEX may well have run ok.

But on the lines like ECML, MML, BML, SWML etc there are many many trees blocking lines and damaging wires and so trains can't run over them. Therefore those lines can't run.

You seem to be having difficulty grasping that there are genuine problems out there today and seem to believe that his is just the railway being lazy and making no effort or un any trains.

And it's not just a bit of wind, we were talking 60-80mph winds, as high as 99mph in some costal areas apparently. That's not a windy day often seen in the UK by any means...

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

From the BBC "Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT transport union, has attributed the virtual rush-hour shutdown on the railways to staff numbers being "hacked to the bone"."

I did not think that even this particular person who would try to make political capital out of a situation where the weather can cause landslides and over 50 trees (at least, most probably more) to be blocking railway lines and roads.

Perhaps he will organise some form of industrial action to teach the weather a lesson...:roll:

 

[jopsuk]

Network Rail reporting that they've so far found over 100 seperate locations with trees on the tracks/OHL

 

[ModernRailways]

I'm due to travel from Huddersfield to Alton today via Northern, East Coast and then South West Trains. I'm travelling on a EC & connections advance, and both East Coast and SWT have said that tickets for today can be used tomorrow instead.

I'm assuming that I can travel tomorrow even though I also have to use Northern, but I just wanted to double check!

I'd give Northern a call and let them know your circumstances.

They should let you travel but you may get an awkward guard who will say No.

 

[YorkshireBear]

I'm due to travel from Huddersfield to Alton today via Northern, East Coast and then South West Trains. I'm travelling on a EC & connections advance, and both East Coast and SWT have said that tickets for today can be used tomorrow instead.

I'm assuming that I can travel tomorrow even though I also have to use Northern, but I just wanted to double check!

Seen other people ask same questions on twitter and yes you can. Infact someone asked almost the exact question!

 

[ModernRailways]

Latest from Southern: A partial service is expected to begin shortly. Train planners are currently preparing a timetable.

 

[ushawk]

Latest from Southern: A partial service is expected to begin shortly. Train planners are currently preparing a timetable.

Service to operate between London and Brighton - Calling at Clapham Junction, East Croydon, Gatwick Airport, Haywards Heath and Brighton ONLY.

 

[ModernRailways]

The Brighton Main Line is open again with trains having the following calling pattern: Brighton, Haywards Heath, Gatwick Airport, East Croydon,Clapham Junction and Victoria only

 

[Minstral25]

Service to operate between London and Brighton - Calling at Clapham Junction, East Croydon, Gatwick Airport, Haywards Heath and Brighton ONLY.

Any clues if Redhill will get a service?

 

[sarahj]

First train from Brighton to Victoria expected to be the 10.19

 

[jon0844]

im no expert but why in the 21st century and in a 1st world country we cannot cope with a windy day?

Blame the trees. Why haven't they evolved to stop falling down in high winds?

 

[Dolive22]

Damage at Faversham station.

Did that hit that train or is it just clear of the line? Obviously you can't run anyway with it hanging by splinters.

 

[ushawk]

Any clues if Redhill will get a service?

No idea, havent seen a report of trees down on the Redhill line.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Quite possible but HEX only runs a few miles of track. If the weather was ok and the line was clear then HEX may well have run ok.

But on the lines like ECML, MML, BML, SWML etc there are many many trees blocking lines and damaging wires and so trains can't run over them. Therefore those lines can't run.

You seem to be having difficulty grasping that there are genuine problems out there today and seem to believe that his is just the railway being lazy and making no effort or un any trains.

And it's not just a bit of wind, we were talking 60-80mph winds, as high as 99mph in some costal areas apparently. That's not a windy day often seen in the UK by any means...

Keep this calibre of reply coming ... HEX runs in a pretty urban environment - and not without a few sheltered tunnels - obviously due to the strategic importance of that minor place where a few planes land , this bit of line would have very high priority. (not that there are not a few cancellations from Heathrow today) - even so , the urban bit of the GW would be as much at risk from flying debris of a non arberoratorial nature as anywhere else. Judging by the pictures posted (particularly from SWT) - the risk measures are spot on and of course with 25kV - removing debris requires extensive isolations - locally one gathers there are trees on the line Radlett, St Albans and Harpendon which takes out the power from at least 3 sections.

 

[jon0844]

I did not think that even this particular person who would try to make political capital out of a situation where the weather can cause landslides and over 50 trees (at least, most probably more) to be blocking railway lines and roads.

Perhaps he will organise some form of industrial action to teach the weather a lesson...:roll:

What about when it comes out in the next few days just how many RMT members weren't injured or killed by being made to work in such conditions?

As I said before about anyone else trying to get to work, any employer has a duty of care and would be ill advised to force staff to come in at any cost (literally any cost) so even if you had shed loads of spare staff just sitting around, you still couldn't do much more to get everything clear.

In any case, the winds are continuing through rush hour. It's not a case of the high winds being last night and the railway taking too long to clear up. Even now there must be many places where staff are working in an element of danger to clear the debris.

If I was Bob, I'd have capitalised on thanking the efforts of members (and rail staff in general) and even complimenting Network Rail and the train operators taking things seriously. Doesn't he realise the power of PR, by making him not always look like a total imbecile?