WCML disruption 14/7/22

[zwk500]

The only problem then that there were a number of sections that had been (short-sightedly) reduced to single track. Haven't been back there for yonks now, so don't know how much remains single ? But the trains were diverted back then, got a bit delayed waiting paths, but managed to get through okay eventually.

There were also many fewer trains - both requiring diversion and running in normal service on the diversionary route - so paths were easier to come by.

 

[AndrewE]

The only problem then that there were a number of sections that had been (short-sightedly) reduced to single track. Haven't been back there for yonks now, so don't know how much remains single ? But the trains were diverted back then, got a bit delayed waiting paths, but managed to get through okay eventually.

Byt isn't there a significant viaduct where the track was singled to avoid a massive rebuild? (like at Ribblehead - where it was renovated anyway!) I think west of Gretna it was re-doubled anyway when trains of imported coal came south that way.

 

[jfollows]

The only problem then that there were a number of sections that had been (short-sightedly) reduced to single track. Haven't been back there for yonks now, so don't know how much remains single ? But the trains were diverted back then, got a bit delayed waiting paths, but managed to get through okay eventually.

Today single line only

• Kilmarnock - Lochridge Junction (S of Stewarton) just over 4 miles
• Lugton (N of Dunlop) - Barrhead about 6 miles

so it's not too bad.

Railway Track Diagrams: Scotland & Isle of Man, TRACKmaps 7th. Edition 2021

 

[Falcon1200]

Back in BR days it would be a diesel on the front and off via the G&SW - isn't the privatised railway wonderful!

In 2016, during the Lamington blockage, many trains, not just Virgin but also Sleeper and freights, were diverted via the G&SW, however that closure lasted around 3 months ! Arranging such things at short, or as here no notice at all, takes time.

The only problem then that there were a number of sections that had been (short-sightedly) reduced to single track. Haven't been back there for yonks now, so don't know how much remains single ?

Just as @jfollows says, plus there is the single lead junction at Gretna.

Byt isn't there a significant viaduct where the track was singled to avoid a massive rebuild?

Not as far as I know, no. The redoubling between Lugton and Kilmarnock was to enable a half-hourly Glasgow/Kilmarnock service, no more work than needed for that was done (plus Lochridge/Kilmarnock redoubling would require Kilmaurs platform to be relocated from the unused trackbed !)

 

[jfollows]

In 1987 there was additionally ~8 miles of single track Gretna-Annan, plus Kilmarnock-Barrhead was single track all the way (17 miles) with a passing loop at Lugton. So it's a lot better today than it was!

 

[Agent_Squash]

Maybe they are turning them round at Preston because it's more convenient for crews (As I presume Polmadie staff usually work north of Preston)

Is this heat related by any chance?

Avanti terminate everything at Preston when something happens as it’s operationally convenient.

It’s a shame that they don’t realise that they’re leaving half the WCML with a shambolic service when they can go up to Carlisle.

 

[Peter0124]

I do find it a tad ironic that we aim to electrify the network, yet we find ourselves having the bad side effects of such equipment

(We should still electrify most of the network though, but keep it as robust as possible)

 

[londonmidland]

1M97 has been stuck at Wamphray (Beattock) for several hours now. Not sure if/when the evacuation took place for pax onboard.

 

[Mag_seven]

1M97 has been stuck at Wamphray (Beattock) for several hours now. Not sure if/when the evacuation took place for pax onboard.

A 1Z99 drew up alongside it about a couple of hours ago - I assume that was a passenger rescue.

 

[800001]

How long would it take to get a few 221’s up to Preston and then run them up via the GSW? Surely quicker than arranging all this acceptance and buses!

I’d apply for a job with Avanti Control next time one comes up…………

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Jul 2022 ==

A 1Z99 drew up alongside it about a couple of hours ago - I assume that was a passenger rescue.

You are correct, 1Z99 did a train to train evacuation.

 

[Huntergreed]

I see they are now running a pair of 221's via the GSW.

1S72 (10 Car) just left Carlisle and (I presume!) is coming up my way.

 

[Peter0124]

I see they are now running a pair of 221's via the GSW.

1S72 (10 Car) just left Carlisle and (I presume!) is coming up my way.

Yup! Swapped the sets at Preston, good planning on Avanti's behalf I suppose!

 

[londonmidland]

The Caledonian Sleeper services for tonight has just been announced as cancelled.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I see they are now running a pair of 221's via the GSW.

1S72 (10 Car) just left Carlisle and (I presume!) is coming up my way.

Yep- 221103/221101 which had previously been working 13:43 Euston to Blackpool.

Also later on there appears to be a 21:51 Carlisle to Glasgow Central via Dumfries- presumably 221118/221102 which had been working 9P85 15:43 Euston to Blackpool.

 

[Peter0124]

Also, rather unimportant but I wonder what will happen to this charter service tomorrow if the lines through Beattock are still affected? I'm wanting to catch this in Glasgow tomorrow so fingers crossed it runs

Realtime Trains | 106F 0824 Keighley & Wvlr to Fort William | 15/07/2022

Real-time train running information for 106F 0824 departure from Keighley & Wvlr to Fort William on 15/07/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Andy R. A.]

Looking back at my own personal archive on how things 'panned out' during a similar blockage at Lockerbie 45 years ago, although this time caused through storm damage. You need to skip the entry at the top for the Sunday and start on Monday 31.10.77, and then Tuesday 01.11.77 Being 300 odd miles away to the south it's mostly the Up Traffic featured in the delays.

West Coast - Southern Section N Gauge Model Railway

The saga continues, 43 years ago at the southern end of the West Coast Main Line at Euston PSB. It's back to Late shift for ten days, although the first afternoon is 'manageable', the first weekday...

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West Coast - Southern Section N Gauge Model Railway

The saga continues, 43 years ago at the southern end of the West Coast Main Line at Euston PSB. Second day of the Lockerbie disruption, and the area around Euston suffers a Power Cut during the...

www.facebook.com

 

[Huntergreed]

Also, rather unimportant but I wonder what will happen to this charter service tomorrow if the lines through Beattock are still affected? I'm wanting to catch this in Glasgow tomorrow so fingers crossed it runs

Realtime Trains | 106F 0824 Keighley & Wvlr to Fort William | 15/07/2022

Real-time train running information for 106F 0824 departure from Keighley & Wvlr to Fort William on 15/07/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I suppose it could run up the GSW and across the rarely used stretch of track between Muirhouse central jn and Larkfield jn - would make for an interesting diversion!

 

[43055]

Yep- 221103/221101 which had previously been working 13:43 Euston to Blackpool.

Also later on there appears to be a 21:51 Carlisle to Glasgow Central via Dumfries- presumably 221118/221102 which had been working 9P85 15:43 Euston to Blackpool.

Also got 221108/114 on the 1643 to Edinburgh which get's to Carlisle at 2105.

I'd like to see the 20 car 390 in Glasgow tonight (I know it's a thing with RTT)

Realtime Trains | 5S95 2330 Glasgow Central to Polmadie Car M.D. | 14/07/2022

Real-time train running information for 5S95 2330 departure from Glasgow Central to Polmadie Car M.D. on 14/07/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[hexagon789]

Also got 221108/114 on the 1643 to Edinburgh which get's to Carlisle at 2105.

I'd like to see the 20 car 390 in Glasgow tonight (I know it's a thing with RTT)

Realtime Trains | 5S95 2330 Glasgow Central to Polmadie Car M.D. | 14/07/2022

Real-time train running information for 5S95 2330 departure from Glasgow Central to Polmadie Car M.D. on 14/07/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Seems to have been fixed, the link only shows an 11-car - 390121

 

[londonmidland]

There’s the possibility of today’s disruption affecting tomorrow’s service.

Awaiting more info.

 

[800001]

There’s the possibility of today’s disruption affecting tomorrow’s service.

Awaiting more info.

Network Rail tweeting will take 12 hours to repair (once the stranded train has been moved using a rescue loco), and will affect the first few hours of service tomorrow while route is closed.

 

[ainsworth74]

The Caledonian Sleeper services for tonight has just been announced as cancelled.

Presumably unable to resource at short notice crew to take it via the ECML. Bit of a shame!

 

[diffident]

Presumably unable to resource at short notice crew to take it via the ECML. Bit of a shame!

I thought that they would have a contingency already in place for running down the ECML??

Seems awfully short-sighted if this is no longer an option.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I'm wondering whether Avanti will be unable to run their first few trains early tomorrow morning (assuming the problem is fixed overnight which is unlikely) given the shortage of Pendolinos on Polmadie.

 

[800001]

I thought that they would have a contingency already in place for running down the ECML??

Seems awfully short-sighted if this is no longer an option.

Where do you get the drivers at this short notice?

 

[ainsworth74]

I thought that they would have a contingency already in place for running down the ECML??

Seems awfully short-sighted if this is no longer an option.

They can do it as long as they can find the drivers. If GBRf don't have drivers available then it ain't going to happen. Caledonian Sleeper do regularly divert via the ECML but usually with a bit more notice!

 

[diffident]

They can do it as long as they can find the drivers. If GBRf don't have drivers available then it ain't going to happen. Caledonian Sleeper do regularly divert via the ECML but usually with a bit more notice!

I understand. I just think that in other industries, such as that which I work in, we have well rehearsed and immediately available contingency plans to activate when something goes wrong.

I could be wrong, but it smacks of cost cutting to the bone in favour of profit and not customer service to me.

 

[Peregrine 4903]

I understand. I just think that in other industries, such as that which I work in, we have well rehearsed and immediately available contingency plans to activate when something goes wrong.

I could be wrong, but it smacks of cost cutting to the bone in favour of profit and not customer service to me.

The rail industry also has well rehearsed and immediately available contingency plans to activate.

I just don't think you understand how hard it is to resource a driver at the last minute, and remember the is GBRF who need to resource the driver, and they are not a passenger company.

 

[The Planner]

LNE would have to stand down any standard section 4 and 5 engineering blocks at late notice, doable, but they have to catch up.

 

[Carntyne]

I understand. I just think that in other industries, such as that which I work in, we have well rehearsed and immediately available contingency plans to activate when something goes wrong.

I could be wrong, but it smacks of cost cutting to the bone in favour of profit and not customer service to me.

What profit? The sleeper is one of the most heavily subsidised services in the UK.