Xmas Train Alert - Some Windy Weather.....

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Of course, the Xmas work will now overrun because of more storms on Friday.

Wasn't there originally only a two hour gap between scheduled work finishing and the line reopening for first working day of January? Seem to recall you being a bit sceptical about the original timescales. Guess we're realistically looking at normal service being resumed on Monday 6th now, rather than Thursday 2nd?

 

[Beach Hut]

Made my date at Craft Beer Co; drinking a nice Thornbridge Bayern. A message to all TOCs: I will never surrender! You will not beat me.

Merry Xmas and thanks to all the help you guys gave me in getting to Brighton.

Well done and glad you made it back

 

[HawkTheSeagull]

Wasn't there originally only a two hour gap between scheduled work finishing and the line reopening for first working day of January? Seem to recall you being a bit sceptical about the original timescales. Guess we're realistically looking at normal service being resumed on Monday 6th now, rather than Thursday 2nd?

Yup, said that if the weather was bad, it might have a knock on effect and it probably will now as strong winds are expected on Friday and Monday. Line is due to open at 4AM on the 2nd.

Monday 6th might be a good estimate, if the work gets done on time - then credit to Network Rail for that, but I cant see how a full renewal of a major junction wont be affected by 60mph winds.

 

[worthingseagull123]

Wasn't there originally only a two hour gap between scheduled work finishing and the line reopening for first working day of January? Seem to recall you being a bit sceptical about the original timescales. Guess we're realistically looking at normal service being resumed on Monday 6th now, rather than Thursday 2nd?

That would sound about right.

If weather is an issue, why not put extra maintenance staff to get job finished on time?

Or would that hurt shareholder profits too much?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Well done and glad you made it back

 

[HawkTheSeagull]

That would sound about right.

If weather is an issue, why not put extra maintenance staff to get job finished on time?

Or would that hurt shareholder profits too much?

Again, Network Rail don't have shareholders. And you can throw extra staff at something all you like, if the weather makes unsafe working conditions, then it's pointless. That and there becomes a line where there is too much staff.

 

[worthingseagull123]

Again, Network Rail don't have shareholders. And you can throw extra staff at something all you like, if the weather makes unsafe working conditions, then it's pointless. That and there becomes a line where there is too much staff.

Really? I did not know that. Are they not for profit?

 

[Beach Hut]

Really? I did not know that. Are they not for profit?

Essentially yes they are not for profit however pay their directors huge bonuses.

 

[British Bulldog]

Really? I did not know that. Are they not for profit?

They are not for profit and have been since the abolition of Railtrack, It's how the whole railway should be run IMO.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Essentially yes they are not for profit however pay their directors huge bonuses.

That's fine by me ... as long as the directors are working on Christmas Day, with chainsaws and wheelbarrows.

 

[Beach Hut]

That's fine by me ... as long as the directors are working on Christmas Day, with chainsaws and wheelbarrows.

Agreed but I think we all know the answer to that.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

That's fine by me ... as long as the directors are working on Christmas Day, with ....wheelbarrows.

A more comfortable mode of transport than FCC

 

[HawkTheSeagull]

A more comfortable mode of transport than FCC

Sitting in a wheelbarrow filled with excrement is nicer than travelling with FCC.

That said, i have to use FCC for once on Saturday - ill feedback how terrible it is.

 

[worthingseagull123]

Essentially yes they are not for profit however pay their directors huge bonuses.

For such an inept organisation, not sure how they can justify any form of bonus.

 

[HawkTheSeagull]

Going to be problems tomorrow too. The diverted London Victoria - Gatwick Airport service which was due to run via Sutton and Horsham wont be running as the Dorking-Horsham line has suffered a large landslide.

Southeastern have also taken the somewhat over-cautious approach of not running trains until 12PM tomorrow - the only train company to do so.

 

[worthingseagull123]

With the engineering works, could we claim delay repay given the usual services will presumably be cancelled owing to engineering works?

 

[HawkTheSeagull]

With the engineering works, could we claim delay repay given the usual services will presumably be cancelled owing to engineering works?

Delay Repay cannot be claimed for pre-planned engineering works.

 

[worthingseagull123]

Delay Repay cannot be claimed for pre-planned engineering works.

But wont Southern be charging Network rail for the disruption to their normal services?

 

[HawkTheSeagull]

But wont Southern be charging Network rail for the disruption to their normal services?

Network Rail would be covering the cost of Southern's extra staff and replacement buses, possibly covering lost ticket sales as well as they will of course lose passengers travelling because of this.

 

[worthingseagull123]

It annoys me really. I have taken the next week off work, not to have a break for Christmas, but because the commute to work would be so poor (looking at 2 hours 50 to do a journey that should not be more than a hour).

If Southern had a shred of decency they would offer an extra for days when my season ticket runs out to make up for days I have not used the ticket (owing to engineering works).