Winter CME's, February 2012.

Thanks for that-Crewe it is then.

 

Appleby - Mid Day Saturday XC Weather (the pilots preferred site)

Still anticyclonic but a dusting of snow and gusting up to 35mph at mid-day

Got yer snow shoes Ralph??

 

I had the same thoughts re thermals, hat and gloves. Might need them for the 90 mins or so in Carlisle and certainly when I get back to London as Snow is forecast Saturday and knowing London all the buses will get pulled at the slightest amount.

 

I was going to seek out some nice pies for return journey from W Sproat and Sons and then perhaps fish and chips or similar. Also a quick nosy around as I haven't been to Carlisle just passed through a few times.

 

tHe Museum is very good, esp for kids but you wont have time to see it and eat....

 

FYI we have a spare seat on this trip (a mods had to drop out)..
Pm ralph (or report this post ?) if your interested..

If several people apply, Ralph will draw straws at noon on Friday.

 

it is to be hoped that they get the derailment south of milton keynes sorted out quick or this may effect this weekend run,
not good for anyone wanting to go to london this morning from northampton with M1 blocked as well ;

 

don't know about thermals...wherever that huge high over meets the incoming low from the west could mean a massive amount of snow this weekend........take shovels....

 

The only good thing about Carlisle is that there are 2 'spoons pubs in the same street. 5 minutes from the station. :yo:

 

Yup i'll be on one of them tomorrow at some point!
Unless the snow, derailment, money, trains, sleep gets to me first!

 

4th February 2012 ... might it be OFF ???

Looks like the "derailment" bit has turned into fact!

Just received the following message from a fellow linesider:

"Have heard tomorrow might be a no-go!
Huge problems down South following de-railment of a light "Sparky" and track damage with no mention of time-scale for repairs.
Have heard that a freight had been derailed and there is a shuttle service only from Euston to Tring.
Stock has to get to Euston tonight so someone has to make a decision and bloody quick!"

HAS ANYONE HEARD ANY MORE?

 

From the Evening Standard website : -

"A train derailment halted all long distance services from Scotland and the north into Euston station today creating travel chaos for tens of thousands of passengers.

Damage to tracks and points is so extensive that major disruption will continue all day and during journeys home this evening.

Repairs could continue into the weekend causing major problems and delays at Euston tonight, on the busiest evening of the week as people head away for the weekend.

The Freightliner train weighing 129 tonnes came off the track at a set of points just south of Milton Keynes shortly before 2.30 am.

It careered across three sets of tracks, including the two West Coast main line fast lines, ripping them up and damaging a fourth set.
Overhead power cables carrying 25,000 volts were also brought crashing down.

The electric train, on contract to Virgin Trains and heading to London, was on its own and not towing carriages or wagons.

The driver was injured, though not believed seriously, and taken to hospital. The train came completely off the track but remained upright.

He had stopped or was stopping at a signal and prepared to cross tracks. Investigators believe the driver may have become "confused" and set off too fast across the junction where there is a 15 mph speed limit. The damage indicates a speed nearer 50 mph, investigators believe.

Network Rail (NR) was not able to start repairs until investigators finished their initial investigations into the cause.

A spokesman said: "Unfortunately there is quite substantial damage to the tracks and overhead lines over a considerable distance following the derailment.

"Engineers have been on site since the small hours to assist investigators and are now carrying out repairs. We hope to have two of the four lines open by the early afternoon, though it is likely that severe disruption will continue for the remainder of the day."

Heavy lifting gear will have to be brought in to get the train back on track."

 

Where is the stock for tomorrow currently and if north of MK could the train start from MK. If they can't get the lines sorted by 7:00 tomorrow this wouldn't help me as I have no way to get to MK but at least I suspect the vast majority get to have a run.

Anyway fingers crossed as its only 10:30 and plenty of daylight hours to get stuff sorted. Mind you I wouldn't fancy working in todays temperatures on track and overhead line equipment, gloves or no gloves.

 

I'm boarding the train @ London.
If anyone sees me, please come and say hello, would be nice to put faces to names.
Please feel free to have a moan, just make sure you bring a pint of bitter with you!

If the thing runs.:help:

 

Thank goodness no one was hurt, no doubt someone will get "hurt" in the pocket at some stage. I feel sorry for the driver even if was proved to be in the wrong, we all make mistakes, but when it is in the public arena.....it's multiplied out of all proportions.

 

Can't see a huge amount of information from that image, damage wise.