Wouldn't it be nice if...

[crewmeal]

I was just watching the news and saw that the poor people who have been suffering with all the flooding problems in Cumbria area. Because of various bridges collapsing they have to endure a dreadful and uncomfortable journey by a 2 car DMU of sorts.

Wouldn't you think that management would do something about that and supply a proper train of a decent length for the foreseeable future so they could travel in comfort and safety? Surely there are enough carriages/stock available at this time of the year.

 

[O L Leigh]

It certainly would be nice. Impractical though.

If Northern are going to strengthen services using their own stock they would just be robbing Peter to pay Paul. All TOC's utilise their stock to maximum advantage so there are no great reserves of units sitting around with nothing to do. If Northern wanted to spot-hire trains from elsewhere you get problems with traincrew knowledge. It's not cheap or quick either.

Besides, the railways are themselves suffering as a consequence of the floods.

O L Leigh

 

[A60K]

The only thing that Northern can realistically do in the short-term is to get a 153 or 156 that might be in depot for scheduled maintenance, or possibly switch around some 3 car diagrams to 2 car to free up a 153. As O L Leigh says there's basically no spare stock, and anything borrowed will leave a deficit somewhere else.
Edit: think there's a Settle & Carlisle diagram with a 153 and a 2 car 158 (leaving Leeds around 9am and Carlisle around 12 noon), it might be possible to take the 153 from that given that the S&C will be fairly quiet for the winter. However the 153 might be needed in the peak around Leeds.

 

[driver9000]

Northern are adding a coach to some services on the coast to help alleivate the problem, although in the grand scheme of things I think a busy train is low on peoples priority list at the moment - at least they still have a bridge for the railway to cross! Northerns fleet is stretched at the best of times so this will be no mean feat to pull off.

Just seen on BBC that Network Rail are to construct a temporary two platform station on the north side of the towns railway bridge to reconnect the people on that side to the rail network. The station will have lighting, waiting rooms and a footbridge construction is reported to begin tonight and should be open by the end of the week.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/8375981.stm

 

[Geezertronic]

Just seen on BBC that Network Rail are to construct a temporary two platform station on the north side of the towns railway bridge to reconnect the people on that side to the rail network. The station will have lighting, waiting rooms and a footbridge construction is reported to begin tonight and should be open by the end of the week.

I think that is absolutely superb news for the local community in that area and those who are involved in making this happen (from Management to the guys on the "floor") should be commended for thinking outside the box during a time of great need for the public.

I would be one of the first people to have a go should anything go wrong with the rail network so I would like to be one of the first to offer praise and big pats on the back

 

[Oliver]

I think that is absolutely superb news for the local community in that area and those who are involved in making this happen (from Management to the guys on the "floor") should be commended for thinking outside the box during a time of great need for the public.

I would be one of the first people to have a go should anything go wrong with the rail network so I would like to be one of the first to offer praise and big pats on the back

Likewise; it's a rare outbreak of common sense and practical action.

 

[yorksrob]

Perhaps HM Government could hire some carriages and loco's from West Coast railways at Carnforth and top and tail some extra trains

 

[mallard]

What happened to the units freed up by the closure of the Oldham loop?

 

[yorksrob]

I think some are being used to strengthen Rochdale - Victoria services.

 

[Dennis]

Just seen on BBC that Network Rail are to construct a temporary two platform station on the north side of the towns railway bridge to reconnect the people on that side to the rail network. The station will have lighting, waiting rooms and a footbridge construction is reported to begin tonight and should be open by the end of the week.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/8375981.stm

Thought it took about eight years to build a station! That's impressively quick.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Wouldn't you think that management would do something about that and supply a proper train of a decent length for the foreseeable future so they could travel in comfort and safety? Surely there are enough carriages/stock available at this time of the year.

to quote from this morning's announcement from NR:

Working with train operator, Northern Rail, the train service will be strengthened with additional carriages where possible.

 

[djw1981]

Take a unit off maintenance etc, thin out some less used services, try and scam a 156 from FSR to use on the Ncl-Carlisles and free a 156 that way.

 

[Bittern]

Northern are adding a coach to some services on the coast to help alleivate the problem, although in the grand scheme of things I think a busy train is low on peoples priority list at the moment - at least they still have a bridge for the railway to cross! Northerns fleet is stretched at the best of times so this will be no mean feat to pull off.

Just seen on BBC that Network Rail are to construct a temporary two platform station on the north side of the towns railway bridge to reconnect the people on that side to the rail network. The station will have lighting, waiting rooms and a footbridge construction is reported to begin tonight and should be open by the end of the week.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/8375981.stm

Well, they're doing the right thing for the right reasons. Props to them.

 

[the sniper]

Thought it took about eight years to build a station! That's impressively quick.

I wouldn't jump the gun, it's not open yet.

No doubt it will be built by Sunday only for some Health and Safety type to turn up and announce that the platform lights are 3mm too close to the line, so risking drivers being blinded. This will lead to 3 months enforced closure and a 6 month, £17million enquiry into what went wrong... :roll:

 

[142094]

I wouldn't be too cynical, fair play to Network Rail for getting the ball rolling so soon and doing something practical. Perhaps all the usual problems like planning, H+S etc have been put aside due to the nature of the situation? Maybe something to into account for future builds?

 

[90019]

Maybe something to into account for future builds?

What, stage major flooding to get things built without H&S, etc. poking their noses in and getting in the way?

 

[Spartacus]

Perhaps HM Government could hire some carriages and loco's from West Coast railways at Carnforth and top and tail some extra trains

You're not too far from the mark from what I can gather.....

 

[matt]

http://www.northernrail.org/news/6299

Will be DRS locos and stock

 

[mumrar]

I've never done this route, would it be unacceptable to turn up to loco bash when so many people are suffering? It's not being laid on for cranks, but if I buy food their and tickets aren't I helping to provide for the businesses and fund the services? Guess it'd be unwise to drive up there though lol.

 

[37401]

is it running on sat?

 

[matt]

Before anyone gets too excited you do realise the journey is only about 5 miles each direction and is likely to be full of locals who need to use the service.

 

[37401]

depends whats on it?

 

[matt]

A class 37 and 47 is being mentioned

 

[37401]

ok, is it going to run on saturday?

 

[matt]

ok, is it going to run on saturday?

No idea. I doubt it as its for people getting to work/school etc so there won't be as great demand on a weekend.

 

[37401]

ok, 4hrs+ doesnt sound all that great for 5 miles behind a 47 or 37, maybe ill just have to wait for a flood between Sutton coldfield and birmingham

 

[brompton rail]

Where does Northern's news item mention loco hauled stock?

The News says that a working from Carlisle will stop short at Workington and then dun back to Maryport, back to Workington and resume its normal return working to Carlisle. Those wishing to travel on to Whitehaven (the normal destination for this train will continue by road coach.

 

[Greeny]

I rather think you have a good point - sadly, the TOC's seem to see it as extra expense, though I'd have thought that the potentially good publicity would off set that.

G

 

[37401]

my gen is telling me DRS 47 and 37423 so yes its Loco hauled on those runs but unit after the coach

 

[bluenoxid]

I wouldn't be too cynical, fair play to Network Rail for getting the ball rolling so soon and doing something practical. Perhaps all the usual problems like planning, H+S etc have been put aside due to the nature of the situation? Maybe something to into account for future builds?

You think that they're going to put Health and Safety to one side to build a railway station. You're 'aving a laugh. It's being built with full health and safety rules in place as per other construction sites/railway property.

There have already been enough death and heroics over the floods, we're not going to lose another person to save someone else a few quid on a construction project.

Consultation has been put to one side as has many of the planning checks. Health and Safety is on full steam ahead.