When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas!

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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 21/12/2010 at 16:15 #2136
peterb
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Just to recap for those who weren't aware last night -

My train 1E27 (1750 GLC - KGX) was delayed by over four hours last night because of a series of events:
It left GLC half an hour late because of a delay to a previous service. It arrived at EDB with around the same delay at 1930.
The 1835 EDB - NCL semi-fast left at around 1855 and ran as far as Dunbar.
At this time, NR introduced a block on the up line at the border, because of a failed train south of Berwick. I understand that this train was 1E23 (1550 GLC - KGX). In addition, 1E24 (1450 ABD - KGX) and XC 1807 EDB - BHM were caught behind 1E23 at Berwick.

From what we were told, a rescue 67 had been sent from NCL but was unable to get to 1E23 because of a frozen crossover. Apparently, a second train also failed on the down line near to Berwick. 1E27 was held at EDB for two and a half hours, we departed at just after 10pm (over three hours late). We ran as far as Dunbar, then were held outside Dunbar for around forty minutes, during which, five passenger trains passed heading towards EDB. My understanding is that the 1835 service was terminated at Dunbar and everyone from this service boarded 1E27. Because of a couple of (probably frozen!) doors on the MkIV, delay after NCL on 1E27 was around four hours. My concern was that the London crew boarding at NCL would be over hours but fortunately this service (and 1E24) ran to London, 1E24 at around 03.45 and 1E27 half an hour later.

My concern was that 1E24 had left ABD at around 1500 and arrived in London around five and a half hours late. However I understand now that 1E23 was on emergency lighting and without heat for around four hours until it was assisted by 1E24 to Alnmouth. Thus, in the grand scheme of events, despite being 280 minutes late I feel I got off pretty lightly! Also, I must admit that it did feel at times like I was right in the middle of a very manic Simsig game!!!

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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 21/12/2010 at 16:15 #12956
peterb
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Just to recap for those who weren't aware last night -

My train 1E27 (1750 GLC - KGX) was delayed by over four hours last night because of a series of events:
It left GLC half an hour late because of a delay to a previous service. It arrived at EDB with around the same delay at 1930.
The 1835 EDB - NCL semi-fast left at around 1855 and ran as far as Dunbar.
At this time, NR introduced a block on the up line at the border, because of a failed train south of Berwick. I understand that this train was 1E23 (1550 GLC - KGX). In addition, 1E24 (1450 ABD - KGX) and XC 1807 EDB - BHM were caught behind 1E23 at Berwick.

From what we were told, a rescue 67 had been sent from NCL but was unable to get to 1E23 because of a frozen crossover. Apparently, a second train also failed on the down line near to Berwick. 1E27 was held at EDB for two and a half hours, we departed at just after 10pm (over three hours late). We ran as far as Dunbar, then were held outside Dunbar for around forty minutes, during which, five passenger trains passed heading towards EDB. My understanding is that the 1835 service was terminated at Dunbar and everyone from this service boarded 1E27. Because of a couple of (probably frozen!) doors on the MkIV, delay after NCL on 1E27 was around four hours. My concern was that the London crew boarding at NCL would be over hours but fortunately this service (and 1E24) ran to London, 1E24 at around 03.45 and 1E27 half an hour later.

My concern was that 1E24 had left ABD at around 1500 and arrived in London around five and a half hours late. However I understand now that 1E23 was on emergency lighting and without heat for around four hours until it was assisted by 1E24 to Alnmouth. Thus, in the grand scheme of events, despite being 280 minutes late I feel I got off pretty lightly! Also, I must admit that it did feel at times like I was right in the middle of a very manic Simsig game!!!

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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 21/12/2010 at 18:58 #12958
andyb0607
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Almost sounds like a Kurt timetable!!! :-)
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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 21/12/2010 at 19:40 #12959
Peter Bennet
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Well down this end we had the wired down at St Neots Sunday Afternoon with 3 lines up by Monday morning and then we had the wires down at 8 am this morning at Huntingdon; I believe they are up again now.

Peter

PS guess who works Peterborough box these days.....

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 21/12/2010 at 19:41 #12961
postal
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One of the discussion groups on the net earlier today had the severely delayed 0752 Aberdeen - Kings Cross due to run through via Cambridge and there is talk that at least one of the GC services will follow or has followed the same route.
“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 21/12/2010 at 19:46 #12964
UKTrainMan
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Sounds like the perfect time & a great reason to play this timetable
Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for.
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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 21/12/2010 at 19:58 #12965
Peter Bennet
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16.50 GC did leave KX on time this evening so it is more than likely it was routed that way.

Peter

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 21/12/2010 at 21:29 #12966
postal
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The ECML web-site is now showing some KX departures:

1830 Edinburgh
1930 Newcastle
2030 Newcastle
2130 Newcastle
2230 Leeds

More interesting are the changes to GC services which the ECML site are showing as:

1918 KX - Sunderland as per scheduled route
1948 KX - Bradford leaving at approx 2030 and calling additionally at Peterborough
Additional service at 2145 calling at Peterborough, Doncaster, York, Darlington and Newcastle.

I thought Newcastle was off limits for GC.

“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 21/12/2010 at 21:51 #12967
Peter Bennet
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postal said:

More interesting are the changes to GC services which the ECML site are showing as:

Additional service at 2145 calling at Peterborough, Doncaster, York, Darlington and Newcastle.

I thought Newcastle was off limits for GC.
The relief train is not dead..

Peter

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 22/12/2010 at 00:45 #12969
lpeters
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It's probably one of those situations where GC are operating the train under contract to EC or something to try and help relieve some of the pressure. With the lines down, stock has been all out of position and delayed on the FCC side and the EC 91s haven't been able to get through. The GC fleet is all diesel so they're able to get through no problems. I would assume NR agreed as it was on NRE today.
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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 22/12/2010 at 00:58 #12970
UKTrainMan
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postal said:
I thought Newcastle was off limits for GC.
Seem to recall having seen numerous videos on YouTube of Grand Central HSTs at NCL.

Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for.
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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 22/12/2010 at 06:31 #12971
Peter Bennet
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UKTrainMan said:
postal said:
I thought Newcastle was off limits for GC.
Seem to recall having seen numerous videos on YouTube of Grand Central HSTs at NCL.
They are serviced at Heaton I believe, so would have to go via Newcastle.

Peter

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 22/12/2010 at 10:56 #12974
postal
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Lots of videos of ECS movements between Sunderland and Heaton. However, following the long and protracted legal battle between GNER and GC about access rights, I had it in my head that GC was specifically excluded from offering passenger services to/from Newcastle.

If the trains were under sub-contract to ECML rather than running as GC services in their own right, I would have expected them to be shown on the ECML web-site as ECML services and not GC services.

Still, it's good to see the railway pulling together with a view to helping the traveller rather than standing on their contractual rights.

“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 22/12/2010 at 12:54 #12975
Peter Bennet
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If anyone knows the reason why 1E14 (09.52 Aberdeen - London KX) was Terminated at Edinburgh this afternoon I'd be interested as my mum's on it (or was).

Today's timetable shows it was intended to run the full service but it was advised to be teminating before it left Aberdeen.

Peter

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 22/12/2010 at 17:26 #12976
officer dibble
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I can take a look at work later Peter, EC seem to be suffering really badly at the moment what with the adverse weather.

Although not an EC train, but directly affected because of one failing, Monday evening's 1M81 1806 EDB-BHM terminated at Leeds at 02:15, a whopping 310 late. 1E24 IIRC lost power and due to snow & Ice, the Thunderbird loco could not be crossed over to run wrong line to attach to it. I think (as I wish I had taken down the details off P2 now), an EC HST was attached to the rear of it to power up the batteries to raise the pantograoh on the 91.

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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 22/12/2010 at 17:41 #12977
Peter Bennet
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Thanks, I would be interested- at the moment she has a +1 connection at Peterborough if all remains as it is!

Which is 5 behind the earlier Aberdeen so not much lost if you look at it with some distorted perspective.

Peter

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 22/12/2010 at 20:38 #12979
Tallington
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Just putting things into perspective - with a twist!

I left home in Tallington at 10:20 on Tuesday to go to Euston Square for a 3pm appointment at Network Rail office via Stamford, Peterborough and Kings Cross - NR website saying all lines running OK.

Waited for bus for half hour - Tallington crossing closed for 8 trains - all going slowly!
Missed 11:01 train from Stamford so stayed on bus to Peterborough.
Found out all KGX services had been cancelled due to powerline down at Huntingdon.
Over a dozen coaches were parked outside rail station to take priority passengers from North to Cambridge!
I quickly bought an off-peak ticket to KGX and went out to the first coach - with only one other passenger on board.
Driver was then told to go - no questions! Loads more coaches were arriving and there was no-where to park them!
Drove at good speed to Cambridge - via A14 Huntingdon and could see abandoned train from the bridge and workers repairing o/head line.
The other passenger on the bus had been on it when the line came down with a bang and sparks went everywhere before the train stopped and they all had to walk down the track to the station before being ferried to PBO!
At Cambridge the 13:28 slow train was waiting (nice and warm!) with the 13:15 fast delayed and not certain when!
Arrived KGX at 14:25 - previous ETA was going to be 14:44! Arrived for meeting 5 minutes early...
Left meeting at 16:30 - walked back to KGX past a mile of Eurostar passengers queuing in the snow!
Queried if could use off-peak ticket - told OK! Caught 17:15 Royston/Cambridge/Ely
At Cambridge walked down platform to see GC going slowly by! It had followed us up...
Caught waiting coach back to PBO and arrived before I should have left KGX!

Delays - what delays? ::

Ken ^o

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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 22/12/2010 at 20:56 #12980
MJD
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Born Lucky LOL.......
Mike.
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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 22/12/2010 at 21:27 #12981
peterb
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officer dibble said:
I can take a look at work later Peter, EC seem to be suffering really badly at the moment what with the adverse weather.

Although not an EC train, but directly affected because of one failing, Monday evening's 1M81 1806 EDB-BHM terminated at Leeds at 02:15, a whopping 310 late. 1E24 IIRC lost power and due to snow & Ice, the Thunderbird loco could not be crossed over to run wrong line to attach to it. I think (as I wish I had taken down the details off P2 now), an EC HST was attached to the rear of it to power up the batteries to raise the pantograoh on the 91.
I didn't know what the end result was for 1M81 so thanks for clearing this up. I hope pax on this train weren't disrupted too much because of the early termination.

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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 23/12/2010 at 00:18 #12983
UKTrainMan
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Peter Bennet said:
If anyone knows the reason why 1E14 (09.52 Aberdeen - London KX) was Terminated at Edinburgh this afternoon I'd be interested as my mum's on it (or was). 
Sent a text to a contact asking this and got back the following;

Quote:
LAU 2 down
MTS 3 down
ARB 1 down
CAN 1 down
DEE 14 down
LEU 16 down
LDY 15 down
KDY 16 down
BTS 15 down
INK 17 down
DAM 19 down
HYM 21 down
EDB 19 down
DA: "This train has been delayed by poor weather conditions"
Hope this helps, if only somewhat.

Station CRS codes; LAU = Laurencekirk, MTS = Montrose, ARB = Arbroath, CAN = Carnoustie, DEE = Dundee, LEU = Leuchars, LDY = Ladybank, KDY = Kirkcaldy, BTS = Burntisland, INK = Inverkeithing, DAM = Dalmeny, HYM = Haymarket, EDB = Edinburgh.
Also DA = Delay Attribution.

Any views and / or opinions expressed by myself are from me personally and do not represent those of any company I either work for or am a consultant for.
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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 23/12/2010 at 01:24 #12984
Meld
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I would guess the most likely reason that 1E14 terminated Edinburgh was either Diagram Balancing as everything has been to pot over the past few days or overdue maintenance at Craigentinny.

Peter B there was a 1Z81 that ran from Leeds at approximately the booked times down to Birmingham, not much help to the passengers from the North but again would assume it terminated to balance diagrams

Passed the age to be doing 'Spoon Feeding' !!!
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When the EC has a Pete Tong Christmas! 23/12/2010 at 06:36 #12985
Peter Bennet
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Apparently the reason was frozen water tanks. I read somwhere else that the Inverness tram was stopped at every station for passenger PNBs for the same reason.
But thanks to Ben's live running site site I was able to work out exactly what was happening where and when and my mum turned up at exactly the time I predicted so that was excellent.

Peter

I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs!
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