Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

Sorry to trouble but does anyone have any information as to what is
going on with the Central Line these days ...?

Having met with various (excuses?) reasons for the grim service right
now (varying from `overrunning engineering works', `signal failure',
`multiple signal failure' and `signalling systems failure') I am
curious as to how the line has ended up running so badly recently, with
constant and continuous delays.

Many thanks to anyone who might be able to shed some light :)

London-Lass

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

london-lass wrote:
Sorry to trouble but does anyone have any information as to what is
going on with the Central Line these days ...?

There had been complaints from jealous Northern Line users. Sorted!

ESB

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

"london-lass" wrote in message
ups.com...
Sorry to trouble but does anyone have any information as to what is
going on with the Central Line these days ...?

Having met with various (excuses?) reasons for the grim service right
now (varying from `overrunning engineering works', `signal failure',
`multiple signal failure' and `signalling systems failure') I am
curious as to how the line has ended up running so badly recently, with
constant and continuous delays.

Many thanks to anyone who might be able to shed some light :)

http://www.metronetrail.com/default....=1164030303796

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

http://www.metronetrail.com/default....=1164030303796

So constant signaling problems on Central line for 4 days are a result
of "fixed" computer failure on Monday?

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

On 23 Nov 2006 05:27:04 -0800, "london-lass"
wrote:

Sorry to trouble but does anyone have any information as to what is
going on with the Central Line these days ...?

Having met with various (excuses?) reasons for the grim service right
now (varying from `overrunning engineering works', `signal failure',
`multiple signal failure' and `signalling systems failure') I am
curious as to how the line has ended up running so badly recently, with
constant and continuous delays.

Many thanks to anyone who might be able to shed some light :)

London-Lass

I saw a poster at Bank station the other day which mentioned that a
new Central Line timetable was due to start on Monday. Given that the
Central Line is now automated, I'd assume that on Sunday night/Monday
morning Metronet would have had to 'load' the new timetable onto the
signalling control system. Maybe this upload didn't go according to
plan?

Al Holmes

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

On 23 Nov 2006 05:27:04 -0800, "london-lass"
wrote:

Sorry to trouble but does anyone have any information as to what is
going on with the Central Line these days ...?

Having met with various (excuses?) reasons for the grim service right
now (varying from `overrunning engineering works', `signal failure',
`multiple signal failure' and `signalling systems failure') I am
curious as to how the line has ended up running so badly recently, with
constant and continuous delays.

Many thanks to anyone who might be able to shed some light :)

The new timetable was due to run from last Monday. When it was loaded it
crashed the train control computer. All Central Line trains are driven
automatically by a central control computer (in simple terms).

Operation reverted to the old timetable while a technical assessment has
been made as to the failure, a solution devised and assurance tests
made.

There was an overrun of engineering works at Epping the other morning so
that comment is quite correct.

Prior to last weekend there have been problems with local site computers
at the Eastern end of the line and communications back to the control
centre - these have caused considerable delays but not shut the entire
line as per Monday.

I understand a fix has been diagnosed and an attempt to load the new
timetable will be made for tomorrow morning.

The above info is provided in good faith but carries no guarantee as to
the service quality on Friday!

--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

Paul Corfield wrote:
The new timetable was due to run from last Monday. When it was loaded it
crashed the train control computer. All Central Line trains are driven
automatically by a central control computer (in simple terms).

Not quite. I used to think this too but an AET who works on the Central
informed me that the ATO function is locally controlled from the
trackside SERs, which implies that the central computers are merely a
regulatory and supervisory system (i.e. a souped-up programme machine);
I suspect the main reason why Coded Manual driving was instituted
during the computer crash was simply to reduce the number of things
that could additionally go wrong.

One big reason why the service was diabolical is because there were a
lack of licensed station staff available to open the SERs at the
controlled sites and operate the ELCPs (Emergency Local Control
Panels). Apparently the LU station staff diagrammers never expected a
situation like this, where more than one SER would need to be locally
operated - it makes you wonder if the licensing will be extended to
more staff members!

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

and an attempt to load the new
timetable will be made for tomorrow morning.

Uh-oh...
I'll better walk to the Jubilee line then :-)

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

Paul Corfield wrote:

The new timetable was due to run from last Monday. When it was loaded it
crashed the train control computer. All Central Line trains are driven
automatically by a central control computer (in simple terms).


Blimey, are Microsoft doing s/w for train signalling systems now as
well. The day that they start doing fly by wire is the day I stop
flying.

Kevin

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

In article . com,
TheOneKEA writes
All Central Line trains are driven
automatically by a central control computer (in simple terms).
Not quite. I used to think this too but an AET who works on the Central
informed me that the ATO function is locally controlled from the
trackside SERs, which implies that the central computers are merely a
regulatory and supervisory system (i.e. a souped-up programme machine);

Neither is quite correct.

The ATO/ATP function is on the train and controlled by the driver:
- in ATO mode the driver presses "start" and ATO drives the train under
the restrictions set by ATP;
- in Coded Manual the driver drives the train himself under the
restrictions set by ATP.
In both cases the train is informed of the permitted speed limit in the
current and next blocks by codes in the rails. These are sent by the
trackside units. At stations, a docking beacon sends the train details
of the line ahead and, in ATO mode, whether or not to stop at the next
station and whether to go "full welly" or coast at various places to
increase the running time (and so space out trains).

The central computer:
- sets routes for the trains at junctions (like a programme machine);
- instructs the beacons to issue "don't stop" and "coast" instructions.

--
Clive D.W. Feather | Home:
Tel: +44 20 8495 6138 (work) | Web: http://www.davros.org
Fax: +44 870 051 9937 | Work:
Please reply to the Reply-To address, which is:

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

Well, whatever was the result of new timetable - now LU has convenient
excuse of vandalism ;-)

"CENTRAL LINE: Suspended between North Acton and Ealing Broadway due to
vandalism at North Acton with severe delays on the rest of the line."

By the way, I wonder what is new in this timetable? Any significant
changes for passengers?

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

"alex_t" wrote in message
oups.com...
Well, whatever was the result of new timetable - now LU has convenient
excuse of vandalism ;-)

"CENTRAL LINE: Suspended between North Acton and Ealing Broadway due to
vandalism at North Acton with severe delays on the rest of the line."

By the way, I wonder what is new in this timetable? Any significant
changes for passengers?


http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/press-cent...le.asp?id=1337

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

On 24 Nov 2006 01:50:47 -0800, "alex_t"
wrote:

Well, whatever was the result of new timetable - now LU has convenient
excuse of vandalism ;-)

"CENTRAL LINE: Suspended between North Acton and Ealing Broadway due to
vandalism at North Acton with severe delays on the rest of the line."

Again?

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 18:42:57 +0000, James Farrar
wrote:

On 24 Nov 2006 01:50:47 -0800, "alex_t"
wrote:

Well, whatever was the result of new timetable - now LU has convenient
excuse of vandalism ;-)

"CENTRAL LINE: Suspended between North Acton and Ealing Broadway due to
vandalism at North Acton with severe delays on the rest of the line."

Again?

Yes again.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 18:47:27 +0000, Paul Corfield
wrote:

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 18:42:57 +0000, James Farrar
wrote:

On 24 Nov 2006 01:50:47 -0800, "alex_t"
wrote:

Well, whatever was the result of new timetable - now LU has convenient
excuse of vandalism ;-)

"CENTRAL LINE: Suspended between North Acton and Ealing Broadway due to
vandalism at North Acton with severe delays on the rest of the line."

Again?

Yes again.

Do we suspect it might be the same vandals?

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 19:04:33 +0000, James Farrar
wrote:

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 18:47:27 +0000, Paul Corfield
wrote:

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 18:42:57 +0000, James Farrar
wrote:

On 24 Nov 2006 01:50:47 -0800, "alex_t"
wrote:

Well, whatever was the result of new timetable - now LU has convenient
excuse of vandalism ;-)

"CENTRAL LINE: Suspended between North Acton and Ealing Broadway due to
vandalism at North Acton with severe delays on the rest of the line."

Again?

Yes again.

Do we suspect it might be the same vandals?

I don't know and have heard nothing on that subject. It might be a
reasonable assumption to make but the fact that there has been a repeat
raises a number of important issues given how many miles of cable there
are on railways around London - not just the tube network.

--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 20:16:16 +0000, Paul Corfield
wrote:

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 19:04:33 +0000, James Farrar
wrote:

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 18:47:27 +0000, Paul Corfield
wrote:

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 18:42:57 +0000, James Farrar
wrote:

On 24 Nov 2006 01:50:47 -0800, "alex_t"
wrote:

Well, whatever was the result of new timetable - now LU has convenient
excuse of vandalism ;-)

"CENTRAL LINE: Suspended between North Acton and Ealing Broadway due to
vandalism at North Acton with severe delays on the rest of the line."

Again?

Yes again.

Do we suspect it might be the same vandals?

I don't know and have heard nothing on that subject.

OK, thanks for the info. Your grapevine is better than mine :)

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

"James Farrar" wrote in message

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 20:16:16 +0000, Paul Corfield
wrote:

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 19:04:33 +0000, James Farrar
wrote:

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 18:47:27 +0000, Paul Corfield
wrote:

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 18:42:57 +0000, James Farrar
wrote:

On 24 Nov 2006 01:50:47 -0800, "alex_t"
wrote:

Well, whatever was the result of new timetable - now LU has
convenient excuse of vandalism ;-)

"CENTRAL LINE: Suspended between North Acton and Ealing Broadway
due to vandalism at North Acton with severe delays on the rest
of the line."

Again?

Yes again.

Do we suspect it might be the same vandals?

I don't know and have heard nothing on that subject.

OK, thanks for the info. Your grapevine is better than mine :)

What did the thieves nick? I travelled on the Picc over the Central at
Acton today and saw a large workforce busily at work with cranes, lots
of wagons and battery locos. It looked like they were replacing ballast
and track, rather than just a few cables (unless they were burying
them).

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

"Nigel Pendse" wrote in message
...
"James Farrar" wrote in message

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 20:16:16 +0000, Paul Corfield
wrote:

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 19:04:33 +0000, James Farrar
wrote:

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 18:47:27 +0000, Paul Corfield
wrote:

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 18:42:57 +0000, James Farrar
wrote:

On 24 Nov 2006 01:50:47 -0800, "alex_t"
wrote:

Well, whatever was the result of new timetable - now LU has
convenient excuse of vandalism ;-)

"CENTRAL LINE: Suspended between North Acton and Ealing Broadway
due to vandalism at North Acton with severe delays on the rest
of the line."

Again?

Yes again.

Do we suspect it might be the same vandals?

I don't know and have heard nothing on that subject.

OK, thanks for the info. Your grapevine is better than mine :)

What did the thieves nick? I travelled on the Picc over the Central at
Acton today and saw a large workforce busily at work with cranes, lots of
wagons and battery locos. It looked like they were replacing ballast and
track, rather than just a few cables (unless they were burying them).
The Central line is closed this weekend for track renewal which is the
cranes and stuff.

If it was like last time they got some twisted screen track cable and some
redundant lead. It seemed more like sabotage than anything the weight of
copper in twisted screen is next to nothing.

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

On Sat, 25 Nov 2006 Nigel Pendse wrote:

"James Farrar" wrote in message

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 20:16:16 +0000, Paul Corfield
wrote:

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 19:04:33 +0000, James Farrar
wrote:

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 18:47:27 +0000, Paul Corfield
wrote:

On Fri, 24 Nov 2006 18:42:57 +0000, James Farrar
wrote:

On 24 Nov 2006 01:50:47 -0800, "alex_t"
wrote:

Well, whatever was the result of new timetable - now LU has
convenient excuse of vandalism ;-)

"CENTRAL LINE: Suspended between North Acton and Ealing Broadway
due to vandalism at North Acton with severe delays on the rest
of the line."

Again?

Yes again.

Do we suspect it might be the same vandals?

I don't know and have heard nothing on that subject.

OK, thanks for the info. Your grapevine is better than mine :)

What did the thieves nick? I travelled on the Picc over the Central at
Acton today and saw a large workforce busily at work with cranes, lots
of wagons and battery locos. It looked like they were replacing ballast
and track, rather than just a few cables (unless they were burying
them).


According to last week's local paper, they didn't nick anything. They
tried, got as far as cutting the cables, were then disturbed and fled.
--
Thoss

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

According to last week's local paper, they didn't nick anything. They
tried, got as far as cutting the cables, were then disturbed and fled.

I guess on Friday they returned to finish the job...

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

thoss wrote:

According to last week's local paper, they didn't nick anything. They
tried, got as far as cutting the cables, were then disturbed and fled.

Unfortunately not. The first time the cables were cut and stolen, and I
had a very cold night at North Acton watching the new sections of cable
being jointed.

The second time some but not all were stolen.

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

Clive D. W. Feather wrote:
In article . com,
TheOneKEA writes
All Central Line trains are driven
automatically by a central control computer (in simple terms).
Not quite. I used to think this too but an AET who works on the Central
informed me that the ATO function is locally controlled from the
trackside SERs, which implies that the central computers are merely a
regulatory and supervisory system (i.e. a souped-up programme machine);

Neither is quite correct.

The ATO/ATP function is on the train and controlled by the driver:
- in ATO mode the driver presses "start" and ATO drives the train under
the restrictions set by ATP;
- in Coded Manual the driver drives the train himself under the
restrictions set by ATP.
In both cases the train is informed of the permitted speed limit in the
current and next blocks by codes in the rails. These are sent by the
trackside units. At stations, a docking beacon sends the train details
of the line ahead and, in ATO mode, whether or not to stop at the next
station and whether to go "full welly" or coast at various places to
increase the running time (and so space out trains).

The central computer:
- sets routes for the trains at junctions (like a programme machine);
- instructs the beacons to issue "don't stop" and "coast" instructions.


Actually, TheOneKEA's post is slightly closer to reality.
While the decision to coast is made by the control system, the facility
isn't used with ATO. Hence the system is independent of the signalling
control system in day to day operations.

TJC (currently Acting Senior ATO Data Engineer, Central Line)

Does anyone know what is up with the Central Line at the moment?
 

I saw in the driver's cab of a Central Line that there is an indicator in
the form of a shrinking red line above the two start buttons, which appears
to countdown the time until departure. Is that what that indeed does or is
it indicating the position of the train ahead?

I assume that all of this comes from the docking beacon as well?

wrote in message
ups.com...

Clive D. W. Feather wrote:
In article . com,
TheOneKEA writes
All Central Line trains are driven
automatically by a central control computer (in simple terms).
Not quite. I used to think this too but an AET who works on the Central
informed me that the ATO function is locally controlled from the
trackside SERs, which implies that the central computers are merely a
regulatory and supervisory system (i.e. a souped-up programme machine);

Neither is quite correct.

The ATO/ATP function is on the train and controlled by the driver:
- in ATO mode the driver presses "start" and ATO drives the train under
the restrictions set by ATP;
- in Coded Manual the driver drives the train himself under the
restrictions set by ATP.
In both cases the train is informed of the permitted speed limit in the
current and next blocks by codes in the rails. These are sent by the
trackside units. At stations, a docking beacon sends the train details
of the line ahead and, in ATO mode, whether or not to stop at the next
station and whether to go "full welly" or coast at various places to
increase the running time (and so space out trains).

The central computer:
- sets routes for the trains at junctions (like a programme machine);
- instructs the beacons to issue "don't stop" and "coast" instructions.


Actually, TheOneKEA's post is slightly closer to reality.
While the decision to coast is made by the control system, the facility
isn't used with ATO. Hence the system is independent of the signalling
control system in day to day operations.

TJC (currently Acting Senior ATO Data Engineer, Central Line)