WCML issues-21 August

[D1511]

It's always entertaining to look at OTT Maps - Northampton when there's diverts.
Looks like the down is on the verge of gridlock ...

Yes, bit of a northbound queue forming to use the crossover at Hanslope S.
There's a procession of trains on the UF though, so that seems fine.

 

[D1537]

My guess is is 4M24's rear end is blocking the lead to platform 2.

Yep, good shout. At least the backlog should start to clear a bit now with 4M24 out of the way.

 

[Merle Haggard]

I'm sure there's a reason that Rugby have thrown Heavy Haul 6D23 from Northampton sidings into the queue but it's not helping.

/snip/

My guess is they moved it on to make space for 4M24.

 

[Stampy]

4M24 has just left the loop north of Northampton Station heading North with 1P04 right behind it...!!
9G40 & 9G41 are currently waiting to head North through Platform 2...

 

[D1511]

It's a fascinating watch on Traksy. Hillmorton is certainly doing a bit of heavy lifting getting everything back across to the correct platforms and exits from Rugby

 

[Merle Haggard]

'BLOK' disappeared from down fast N of Hanslope on OTT Maps and 9G42 now routed Old line.


edit 9K42

 

[185143]

I'm sure there's a reason that Rugby have thrown Heavy Haul 6D23 from Northampton sidings into the queue but it's not helping.


I'd stay there for a bit.

I was intending to tbh, any excuse!

 

[Peter0124]

9K42 via Weedon, but trains behind are still going via Northampton. Was it sent to line inspect?

The Northampton line is a great divert when stoppers and freights don't exist

 

[Stampy]

1H41 has been routed at Hanslope Junction to go via Northampton with 1D94 right behind it, also routed via Northampton...
4M24 is just approaching Long Buckby with 1P04, 9G40, 9G41, 1H74, 1Y69, 1F36 & 1S98 all stacked up behind it !!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Monday at 20:44 ==

9K42 via Weedon, but trains behind are still going via Northampton. Was it sent to line inspect?

BLOK = has now appeared again at Hanslope Junction..

 

[185143]

LNR journey check now reporting a lineside fire between Watford and Euston. All lines blocked?

 

[800001]

LNR journey check now reporting a lineside fire between Watford and Euston. All lines blocked?

Yes all lines blocked, according to Avanti 'X'.

Avanti West Coast (@AvantiWestCoast) on X

⚠️ Due to a fire next to the track at Watford Junction, all lines are blocked. Trains running in/out of London Euston may be cancelled or delayed. Please check your journey here: https://t.co/gHe5m9i9uF

x.com

Due to a fire next to the track at Watford Junction, all lines are blocked.

Trains running in/out of London Euston may be cancelled or delayed.

 

[andyjhatton]

Japes about staying in the pub aside, people are supposed to be using this "service" to travel.
Don't get me wrong, I had a nice liquid lunch with my family earlier.

But folk actually need to travel places and if the fam can't rely.on the trains they will just use their little one litre Aygo.

Which is actually far cheaper than the train. All sundries accounted for.

 

[800001]

Yes, bit of a northbound queue forming to use the crossover at Hanslope S.
There's a procession of trains on the UF though, so that seems fine.

Dip/bump in a set of points apparently is what I have been told is the reason for diverts via Northampton.

 

[185143]

Japes about staying in the pub aside, people are supposed to be using this "service" to travel.
Don't get me wrong, I had a nice liquid lunch with my family earlier.

But folk actually need to travel places and if the fam can't rely.on the trains they will just use their little one litre Aygo.

Which is actually far cheaper than the train. All sundries accounted for.

My journey down was a mess and resulted in missed connections, multiple late running trains and a delay repay claim. My journey home is looking exactly the same.

 

[D1511]

Dip/bump in a set of points apparently is what I have been told is the reason for diverts via Northampton.

Cheers. Strange that a few services carried on using the UF after there was a BLOK on the DF......although I see there's nothing in either direction now and Northampton's looking busy!

But.....meanwhile.....while chaos endures all around, 4S88 continues on its merry way to Coatbridge. 9E through Northampton

They should convert a 45' container for passenger use, and I'd use it to get home! Just a short stop to set down only at Coatbridge Sunnyside would be ideal!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Monday at 21:47 ==

Looks like the Hanslope issue is sorted....1P07 and 1H75 on the DF and a string of trains on the UF.

 

[MarkWi72]

Looks like northbound trains are still going via Northampton. Do Lumo drivers know that route? If not, 1P04 is going to have an issue. Currently at MKC.

I saw this passing the site of Church Brampton. There was a back up of trains and it was only passing through behind a freight liner quite slowly.

 

[Merle Haggard]

1H41 has been routed at Hanslope Junction to go via Northampton with 1D94 right behind it, also routed via Northampton...
4M24 is just approaching Long Buckby with 1P04, 9G40, 9G41, 1H74, 1Y69, 1F36 & 1S98 all stacked up behind it !!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Monday at 20:44 ==



BLOK = has now appeared again at Hanslope Junction..

4M24 has just left the loop north of Northampton Station heading North with 1P04 right behind it...!!
9G40 & 9G41 are currently waiting to head North through Platform 2...

I'm not sure that t4M24 was doing much holding up - isn't the Northampton to Hillmorton line speed 75?

Obviously depends on 4M24 maintaining 75 up the bank, though.

 

[zwk500]

I'm not sure that t4M24 was doing much holding up - isn't the Northampton to Hillmorton line speed 75?

It's slow out of the Down Goods Loop though, a long freight will take ages to clear the turnout whereas a passenger can be accelerating from when it clears Northampton North Jn.

If you give the freight about 5-10 mins head start (depending on traction and weight) then it can usually get to Rugby just in time to avoid delaying a train that's stopped at Long Buckby, but bringing them out right in front of a non-stop isn't great, especially if the passenger trapped behind wants a platform at Rugby and can't wiggle over to the Down Fast at Hillmorton.

 

[Merle Haggard]

It's slow out of the Down Goods Loop though, a long freight will take ages to clear the turnout whereas a passenger can be accelerating from when it clears Northampton North Jn. If you give the freight about 5-10 mins head start (depending on traction and weight) then it can usually get to Rugby just in time to avoid delaying a train that's stopped at Long Buckby, but bringing them out right in front of a non-stop isn't great. Especially if the passenger trapped behind wants a platform at Rugby and can't wiggle over to the Down Fast at Hillmorton.

There's also a long running 'temporary' speed restriction (condition of track, I think, - it's certainly not a smooth ride) on the down about a mile south of the site of Althorp Park station.

But perhaps if 4M24 had been given a clear run rather than being looped the delays would have been less - have a look on RTT at 4S88, which did get a clear run.

 

[zwk500]

There's also a long running 'temporary' speed restriction (condition of track, I think, - it's certainly not a smooth ride) on the down about a mile south of the site of Althorp Park station.

Yes, and that one seems to get slower every couple of weeks or so. The OLE masts also don't look very vertical and there's plenty of other embankments/cuttings between Rugby and Northampton with remedial work or monitoring equipment visible. Although I'm sure it's far from the only line in the country like that after the recent weather.

But perhaps if 4M24 had been given a clear run rather than being looped the delays would have been less - have a look on RTT at 4S88, which did get a clear run.

Oh, if you can give the freight the road from Northampton station itself then it doesn't need much head start to stay ahead of a train stopping at Long Buckby - needs a bit more to stay ahead of a non-stop because despite the 75mph line speed it's still not a flat and level racetrack for a class 4.

(Not that I've spent ages looking at Traksy et al on my trains to work while signal-hopping behind a freight).

 

[Merle Haggard]

Yes, and that one seems to get slower every couple of weeks or so. The OLE masts also don't look very vertical and there's plenty of other embankments/cuttings between Rugby and Northampton with remedial work or monitoring equipment visible. Although I'm sure it's far from the only line in the country like that after the recent weather.

Oh, if you can give the freight the road from Northampton station itself then it doesn't need much head start to stay ahead of a train stopping at Long Buckby - needs a bit more to stay ahead of a non-stop because despite the 75mph line speed it's still not a flat and level racetrack for a class 4.

(Not that I've spent ages looking at Traksy et al on my trains to work while signal-hopping behind a freight).

It's a pity that almost none of the £zillions spent on the West Coast upgrade went track formation on the Northampton loop.

//

Yes, I've had the same experience (of being on a train that's signal-hopping behind a freight)

Travelling from Northampton, it's particularly annoying if you have a tight* connection at Rugby or Coventry. The train stands for about 15 minutes in platform 3. , but about 2 minutes before departure time a class 4 is signalled through platform 2 and ahead.

But, when Avanti is diverted via Northampton, those trains get absolute priority, too - we just have to wait & wait. But at least you know for sure you've missed your 'connection'.

* 'tight connection' on the WCML is < 25 minutes ....