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Post by barrygillingham on Feb 5, 2010 8:59:54 GMT
What was the incident at Rainham this morning? At Gillingham we were told "operation difficulties". I see from the BBC website that the emergency services were in attendance.
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Post by chapelwood on Feb 5, 2010 9:16:22 GMT
According to the Southeastern website, 'person attempting suicide being talked down from a bridge'.
Chapelwood
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Post by Becs Faversham on Feb 5, 2010 9:49:35 GMT
Mine was 1st train through. 6.38 from Faversham to Cannon St. Finally arrived at Cannon St at 9.20.
The two trains ahead of us were cancelled (Victoria and Hi-Speed), switched platforms at Sittingbourne and sent back down the line.
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Post by jumpedup on Feb 5, 2010 10:59:43 GMT
When I looked at the online departures board before leaving this morning they had 'booked' a service from Faversham to St Pancras International via Canterbury East and Dover Priory - did this actually run? If so, 'highspeed travel' has reached Canterbury East!
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Post by sibodkent on Feb 5, 2010 11:08:01 GMT
Mine was 1st train through. 6.38 from Faversham to Cannon St. Finally arrived at Cannon St at 9.20. The two trains ahead of us were cancelled (Victoria and Hi-Speed), switched platforms at Sittingbourne and sent back down the line. It was an absolute shambles at Gravesend today. The 07:52 st P service disappeared from the board and the only inkling people had that there was anything wrong was that everyone on the 07:48 train had been forced to disembark and it waited there without any information for a further 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile the platform staff had nothing to say and merely ducked questions as SET had not told them what was going on. We were watching as the departure board simply sad 'Delayed' for our train. Then, suddenly the 07:48 to Rochester returned to london , empty! The very least SET could have done is told us what was going on, and at the most, used that empty train as a replacement for the almost certainly cancelled 07:52. Or arranged for a free bus to Ebbsfleet International! As a result it took me over an hour longer to get into work today and my entire day is disrupted, as I had to catch the stopper to Charing Cross. Had I known what was going on I'd have caught the 07:48 canon street and changed at London Bridge!!! I've complained, but I expect a full but near automated PR email explaining why it isnt their fault and why they cant refund the premium part of the season ticket etc etc. |
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Post by chapelwood on Feb 5, 2010 12:46:47 GMT
When I looked at the online departures board before leaving this morning they had 'booked' a service from Faversham to St Pancras International via Canterbury East and Dover Priory - did this actually run? If so, 'highspeed travel' has reached Canterbury East! I'd be interested in more details of this. Many years ago, when there was a peak train which ran non-stop from Faversham to Cannon Street, there was an occasion when the line was blocked at Rainham. The fast train, which had come from Ramsgate, reversed at Faversham, and ran non-stop to Cannon Street via Canterbury East, Dover Priory, Ashford and Tonbridge. It was only delayed about 30 minutes on its booked direct time, and got a generally clear run, with only one brief signal stop at Borough Market Junction. Chapelwood |
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Post by genehuntisking on Feb 8, 2010 20:09:53 GMT
"Meanwhile the platform staff had nothing to say and merely ducked questions as SET had not told them what was going on."
Although of little help now, I get a bit tired of the "We haven't been told anything" reflex from some station staff. I happen to know that a large amount of messages went out regarding this incident, as I saw a fair few myself although not directly affected by it. Would it be beyond the wit of man for them to actually pick up the phone and ask if they are left in the dark as much as they claim?
The whole High Speed information flow seems to be particularly poor, my personal belief is there was a fair amount lacking in the training (surely it isn't too difficult to work out at Ebbsfleet which are the "High Level" platforms?).
I suspect (although am unable to confirm) that the terminated Rochester service was sent back towards London with the intention of it being used as a passenger train. This would have gone out as crew and signalbox would need to know, they don't just make unilateral decisions.
I'm afraid the station indicators could have been incorrect, as there has been a recent decision to halve the number of staff on duty to update them. Before the job reductions there were not enough staff to cope when things went wrong.
The whole saga was caused by a person "known to the police" threatening to jump from a bridge in the Rainham area, and a further delay ensued when a trained negotiator was called, who eventually ambled up to site.
A complete waste of everybodys time. Why can't these people just stock their head in the oven if they really want to end it all?
The Gene Genie
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