Heathrow Express/TfL rail suspended [28 Oct 2018, now resolved]
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BRS
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,993
Heathrow Express/TfL rail suspended [28 Oct 2018, now resolved]
Due to overhead line wire problems all lines into Heathrow from Paddington are blocked.
For those heading there alternative routes definitely advisable, could be a long period of disruption like last time.
For those heading there alternative routes definitely advisable, could be a long period of disruption like last time.
#2
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,111
National Rail predicts this will last at least until the end of today: National Rail Enquiries - Service Alteration Details
No TFL Rail ("Connect"), HEX neither (the National Rail page doesn't actually say that the HEX is not running but that's implied).
No TFL Rail ("Connect"), HEX neither (the National Rail page doesn't actually say that the HEX is not running but that's implied).
#5
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,967
with the impending arrival of crossrail HEX have done some quite well priced advance fares since last year. You can book for as little as £5.50 for 90 day advance at the weekends.
#7
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,591
"Heathrow Express said it was sending a rescue service to take passengers on their way to Heathrow Airport back to Paddington where a care team will be waiting to transfer them onto buses to complete their journey."
Surely just taking them to Heathrow would be more useful?
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-46003096
Surely just taking them to Heathrow would be more useful?
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-46003096
#9
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,639
"Heathrow Express said it was sending a rescue service to take passengers on their way to Heathrow Airport back to Paddington where a care team will be waiting to transfer them onto buses to complete their journey."
Surely just taking them to Heathrow would be more useful?
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-46003096
Surely just taking them to Heathrow would be more useful?
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-46003096
This surely will end up with these passengers being a couple of hours late at Heathrow. Assuming carriers are reaccomodating passengers this must be starting to get quite annoying for the airlines and I expect they will want HAL to put pressure on to Network Rail.
#10
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 1,591
However, it seems that the "rescue service" is another train, in which case your reply makes sense.
#11
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: BA Gold/Marriott Gold/HH Diamond/IC Plat Amba
Posts: 5,991
Having been caught out twice with HEX problems after going into London when I've had long layovers at LHR I no longer bother. Trying to get back in the rush hour on the Tube is no fun.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,719
It's not as if anyone has planes to catch. Why not just reverse to the closest intermediate station (Hanwell, etc.), have a bunch of buses meet them, and get them to LHR much more quickly?
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,198
because if there is a problem with the overhead POWER lines they turn the POWER off so the train can't move
#15
Join Date: May 2006
Location: 5 miles from EMA
Programs: BD, BAEC Pleb, VS Pleb, Accor Pleb, HHonors Gold, Big White Season Pass
Posts: 5,904
When I used to travel on the WCML, there was a diesel loco permanently parked at Rugby (aptly called Thunderbird). It was used for precisely the task of hauling failed electric locos out of the way.