Snow bound Commuter Patience (UK)

Farncombe rail commuters wait for the first train of the day towards London to arrive. This was recorded at 0910, when the 0645 still hadn't arrived! I love the "puzzled" tone of the automated annoucement when it gets to the word "snow"!
The main problem appears to have been snow bringing trees and braches down on to the track, and the 0645 was stuck behind a MPV (maintenance machine) which had been out all night with staff trying to clear the line. They got through to Guildford, but that first London bound train was about 4 hours late as a result.
Note how the announcements are "very sorry" for the delay to the 0813, but only "sorry" for the 0645, perhaps it was thought that people should've given up hope by now. I didn't hear them get round to using "extremely sorry" though.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Farncombe
• Commuters
• South West Trains
• SWT
• Snow
• Surrey

[JollyRodders]

The third rail and snow don't mix well. I'm told by the old boys that on the old slam door suburban units they could cut out the first set of motors and use the first set of pick up shoes at the front as snow ploughs clearing the rail for the other pick up shoes behind. Apparently they were quite heavy in comparison to todays pick up shoes which just ride up over the snow and ice. Another trick was to carry a can of de-icer and de-ice about 10 foot of 3rd rail to at least get the train going.