WCML North - frequent infrastructure issues?

[londonmidland]

Over the past few weeks, it seems like there has been several issues with the infrastructure, ranging from signalling issues to track defects.

This has resulted in significant disruption to services using this section of the WCML. Mainly between Preston and Glasgow/Edinburgh but also extending to other places and lines too.

Today, there is a fault with the signalling system, casing disruption.

A fault with the signalling system between Oxenholme Lake District and Penrith North Lakes means all lines are blocked. Trains may be cancelled, severely delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.

Major disruption is expected until 17:00.

Is it just a coincidence that reoccurring issues have been affecting this part of the WCML recently or is there an underlying issue?

 

[jfollows]

Is it just a coincidence that reoccurring issues have been affecting this part of the WCML recently or is there an underlying issue?

North of Weaver Junction most of the infrastructure and especially the signalling was commissioned in time for the 1974 electrification.
"Electric Euston to Glasgow" by OS Nock in 1974 is a good source.
It's all getting on a bit now. I'm older than it is, but not by very much!
It's been fiddled with over time, and there are plans in place for more major upgrade work. Money and time permitting. Carstairs is a good recent example.

 

[800001]

Over the past few weeks, it seems like there has been several issues with the infrastructure, ranging from signalling issues to track defects.

This has resulted in significant disruption to services using this section of the WCML. Mainly between Preston and Glasgow/Edinburgh but also extending to other places and lines too.

Today, there is a fault with the signalling system, casing disruption.



Is it just a coincidence that reoccurring issues have been affecting this part of the WCML recently or is there an underlying issue?

Todays issue caused by a rat chewing cables and causing blown fuses

 

[Oxfordblues]

So all it takes is one naughty rat chewing one cable to bring total shambolic chaos for thousands of passengers and several freight flows.

 

[Russel]

So all it takes is one naughty rat chewing one cable to bring total shambolic chaos for thousands of passengers and several freight flows.

It really is laughable.

Assuming the cables in question are outdoors, would the cables in question not be armoured?

 

[Freightmaster]

So all it takes is one naughty rat chewing one cable to bring total shambolic chaos for thousands of passengers and several freight flows.

Exactly the same thing happened at Ely a few days ago!




MARK