Short-formed trains

[NoOnions]

South Eastern (@nre_SEastern) now also use Twitter to post about problems and I've noticed that there have been a large number of short-formed trains (#shortform) recently.

They never post the reason. Am I noticing it more as they are making more information available or is there a problem at the moment with rolling stock?

Regards,

NoOnions

[Mike M]

I have noticed that too. Every morning on the website there are a significant number of short formed trains, and it seems to particularly affect the Metro services.

Is it because of class 465's being away at Wolverton for overhaul?

[Ryan Webb]

It is probably down to a combination of scheduled (or in Networker's case unscheduled) maintenance and the fact that up to 2 x 465s and 2 x 466s are away for overhaul at any one time.

[genehuntisking]

I see it was Meet The Managers at Charing Cross this morning. It would be interesting to know what the regulars from 07.19 Slade Green - Charing Cross had to say about the lack of stock, as this is the last train out of Slade Green depot.

It would have been interesting, but for the second time this week the train was cancelled, due to lack of stock. Seeems to happen a couple of times a week wth this train.

The Gene Genie

[Duvel]

Maybe time for a re-make of "Day Trip From Barnehurst" by Jackie and the Commuters.........


[Chorus] (To the tune of 'Day Trip to Bangor')
Ain't it a shame, there's never a train from Barnehurst to Blackfriars,
'Cause we'll guarantee, that you'll never see, the train that leaves at 8:14,
There's a hell of a lack of train on the track, these things are sent to try us,
Twiddling our thumbs and scratching our bums as the clock went round.

[Verse1]
I got here at 8, so I wouldn't be late, the Porter started laughing,
"I doubt if the train will come here again, I ain't seen one since 1940",
"If you're in luck and don't give a damn, you'll maybe get one later",
I gave him my mind, got arrested and fined, and the clock went round.

[Chorus]

[Verse2]
It's amazing to find out what passes the time, while waiting at the station,
There's a woman who cooks, a man who reads books – committed "War and Peace" to memory,
Fred met his wife, the love of his life, and soon became a father,
The kids have all grown, and must have left home, and the clock goes round.


I was working in the DMO at Beckenham at the time and a number of my Diagramming/Rostering/Control colleagues appeared on the telly singing a response one night (on 'Nationwide' I think?).

[Duvel]

At the time (1980/1981), the 0814 Barnehurst to Blackfriars was often first choice to cancel with stock, driver or guard shortages, being all those particular resources did in the morning peak:

ECS Slade Green - Barnehurst
0814 Barnehurst - Blackfriars
ECS Blackfriars - Grove Park.