Can anyone explain train delays in the UK?

Question

I'm not looking for grumpy "because our trains are rubbish" answers. Ideally I'd like an engineer or some sort of detailed technical explanation as to why our trains are unable to run on tracks in certain weather conditions and why we experience so many signal failures on tubes, etc. Trains run well in all sorts of weather conditions in other countries, so what are we doing wrong and what's the solution?

Please note: I do not want to hear excuses about snow. Canadians live under a blanket of snow for several months every year and it's business as usual. I am interested in the mechanics of trains/tracks and what can be done to solve the problem.

Answer 1

It could be for various reasons, such as that particular stretch of track etc being outdated and needs to be upgraded.
It could also be due to signal failure (a common feature on the Underground) or even just down to a passenger getting jammed in the door.
Alos, some braking systems on some Units (DMU/EMU/DEMU) are'nt very good, so therefore if there is leaves on the line, trains cannot stop. An example of this is Central trains operating through Bulwell Station.
Hope this helps, and for further info, please email me - [e-mail]

Answer 2

Signal failures are usually due to vandalism,and bad infastructure.

Weather conditions also can play a part how trains run for example when it snows the points freeze. The rain also can cause adhesion problems on the rails thus bad rail conditions.
In the autumn leaves also cause problems coupled (no pun intended) with rain can cause all sorts of problems,when the leaves fall to the track and the train runs over them it crushes the leaves into a sort of paste it gets into the wheels and the track and causes the wheels to slip the driver tries to apply power but the power comes on but the wheels slip causing the train to sometimes slip to a stand.

High winds cause damage to the overhead electric wires bringing them down.

Its strange that ina country like Great Britain given the type of weather we have its pretty poor. Sweden gets loads of snow, and you will never hear anything about trains coming to a stop,they can cope better than we can,Great Britain should take a look at what the swedes do and try to impliment it.

Answer 3

As stated in the previous answers, it points to acute lack of investment over a CONSIDERABLE time. It is not generally a case of mechanical inability, excepting ice/snow on a conductor rail. There are now better means of solving this now than before. But bear in mind that it is an aging infrastructure we are talking about & that the investment levels so far have not dealt with all of the network. A pointer to what has really happened to the rail network is to look at some of the books available detailing the bad financial situation that past governments have inflicted. Plus alternative routes that could have been used in event of bad weather were closed years ago. Have a good read - its politics and underinvestment that have caused the problems.

Answer 4

I am not sure if you are referring to the current snow, but if so, I would point out that all forms of transport are suffering. Many airports are closed because there is snow on the runways. The roads are in chaos with many motorways down to one lane. Schools are closed all over the south because teachers seem unable to drive in winter conditions. The railways always come in for this kind of criticism, which is totally unfair, but possibly understandable as people have had a difficult commute, and don't realise what is going on on other forms of transport, unlike those of us at home who are bored stiff by the BBC News fixation an a bit of snow. But check here on the situation:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/

I note your extra comment. The straight answer is throw money at it and you can do anything. Electric point heaters on every set of points inside and outside depots. Snow ploughs at every strategic location used all night when heavy snow is forecast - but the lines are run by the 'not for profit' quasi nationalised Network Rail and it doesn't get that kind of money to do the job properly. I'm old enough to remember the days when every steam loco shed did have its own snow plough, ready at a moment's notice to be clagged on to the front of a spare loco to clear the tracks, and there were gangs of men available with basic things like shovels and brooms to clear points.

It's the same thing with the signal failures you also refer to. The system is old - well over 100 years in central London. Very little money was available to do maintenance and things wear out. After all, you wouldn't expect your car to keep running for ever without a service, would you?

Answer 5

It may be the condition of the system itself. Systems age and without proper maintenance on the line/systems, problems will occur.