On 22/12/2012 23:25, Graham Harrison wrote:

"ian batten" wrote in message
...
On Dec 22, 10:03 pm, Graham Murray wrote:
The Real Doctor writes:

True, but there is typically only one unbooked carriage, into which
the displaced passengers from several other trains are unlikely to
fit.

Or, as BR did on a number of occasions when there was disruption, cancel
all reservations.

It's interesting that the railways have an extensive pattern of things
to do when they fail to run a service, but put far less effort into
not failing in the first place. It's a fine line between contingency
planning and failure becoming normal.

ian

=============================================

I'll be interested to see what they do around Exeter. Apparently the
reason why the line between Taunton and Exeter has been (is still?)
closed today is that some form of defense has been built to stop the
flood waters damaging the track but it means trains can't run. Given how
long it took them to sort everything out earlier in December that
doesn't see totally unreasonable as a temporary solution - once the
water recedes they'll be able to run again soon after but it's not a
permanent solution. I just hope it doesn't become the default contingency.

The defences consist of two large plastic tubes, presumably filled with
water, laid across the tracks to act as a dam.

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read, substitute trains for rail.
Railway Miscellany at http://www.greywall.demon.co.uk/rail