RTC 2024

If 44871 caused all the fires why are all the cancellations which are still on going being blamed on fires?

 

I think if the inbound train to say Waterloo is cancelled by the fire then all subsequent cancellations of that set then seem to pick up the same reason.

Points failure at Weybridge, track circuits Queenstown Road to Waterloo. A day to avoid SWR.

 

Don, one of the film clips showed damaged lineside cabling . So I imagine repairs may still be in progress.

 

Delays being attributed to fires will be “reactionary”. These are delays where the initial cause “Ie the Fire” is no longer causing the issue, but the reaction from it is.

Very Simple example below to look at how this works -
- Signal fault causes Train A to be held 20 mins, and is 15 late in to it’s destination
- The above is Network Rails fault so the delay is attributed to them. The delay is also shown as “Due to a signalling failure”
- Driver of Train A is due a break, so the return run leaves 15 late. Again NR’s fault so the delay is down to them.
- Signal problem is fixed, but Train B is delayed by Train A being late. As such Train B is not delayed by the signalling fault, but by reaction to the issue. But still NR pick up the tab and the reason for the delay to train B is also shown as “Due to a signalling failure”, even though Train B wasn’t delayed by that actual issue, it has been delayed from the reaction.
- This can occur for as many trains as are deemed delayed by the initial cause

 

Spark arresters and not a 100% guarantee that hot coals will not escape.

 

Ok yes but XC services are also being cancelled. I didn’t think SWR drivers worked these or are the fires still raging?

 

So if XC are being delayed by any SW services then that can have reactionary effects again. Hence it all linking in

 

A direct route now has it back to 'only' 40 down. With all the talk about the stuffy or downright hot coaches, why, I wonder are they used on summer trips like this (notwithstanding that rakes of coaches are not floating around spare)? Is it a case of 'get 'em on once and then never again' but others will take their place?

 

Put it this way.

It's very likely there will be delays up here in Scotland, that the initial cause of delay can be traced back to one of these fires on the SWML.

 

I suspect to protect the robustness of their operation and the fact that the potential for crews to be in the wrong place, it is an operational decision. They appeared to only be cancelled west of Southampton, but of course that cancellation is due to a fire (or two).

 

Thanks to the various comments on several threads here, and a long look at those coaches via the Swanage webcam during their 15 minute wait at Corfe Castle today, I am now reviewing my, albeit limited 2024 summer travel plans that could well use this stock.

One train is already booked, and even if the fire risk is lifted in time for it to run mainly with steam, I think it safer to lose my ticket money than risk travel. Unless it's 100% certain to be a very cloudy day with temperatures down into the teens (Farenheit of course, but other thermometry units are available!)

Bryan B

 

No, from what I have been told by my steward friend, the person had a pre existing medical condition. Of course the heat may well have contributed to the event.

 

My efforts from today.

Running into Wareham over the highly contentious crossing, Castle Crossing and Harmans Cross.

 

In the end only 4 late at Clapham Junction by going up the main. I guess Staines passengers will go back by service train.

Even the tour cancellation between Clapham Junction and Victoria has the fire as the reason. Sort of irony there really.

 

A challenging day for all involved in the end, but the right decisions made after the events that occured. The train is captured at Egham, Totters Ln, Ashurst & Corfe Common, with some shots of 34053 on the SR services, stills of the 'grounded' five at Swanage, before capturing the tour heading for home at New Barn:

 

Some really good filming there and very well put together, many thanks.

Bryan B

 

Yes, not clear why it couldn't finish its journey, at least helping out those who endured the day by getting them back to their start point. Was it perhaps because there was no loco to remove it from Victoria?

 

Possibly because of the platform it had to use having coming up directly from Woking? There may not have been a route/available route to get it across to the lines for a Victoria entry? And/or for the reason you mentioned perhaps.

Bryan B