Recent Public Posts - [guest]
| Re: Spain / Portugal power outage In "The Wider Picture Overseas" [362502/30210/52] Posted by stuving at 23:25, 19th June 2025 |      |
The report of the official Spanish government investigation into this event has been released. It's very long and in Spanish, a mixture of officialese and very technical, with quite a lot of blanked out names. There is also an English version (181 pages), obviously done by computers which struggled with the nature of the text. However, some bits make some kind of sense, and it it clear that the transmission network was showing significant instabilities during the morning. Oscillations of both voltage and frequency were detected, within acceptable limits but still worrying. Various steps were taken to try to improve stability, but in the end the oscillations got too big and generators tripped out (for overvoltage and low frequency).
Paradoxically, disconnecting generators was itself a cause of rising system voltage. This is attributed to the fact that the big thermal generators that disconnected were the ones that regulate the voltage of the whole system. The report concludes that there was too little of this voltage regulation capacity in the first place, which was a planning error by the operator (REE). REE disputes this.
There are a number of news reports based on this document, some of them as hard to make sense of as it is. This one from E&T is quite good.
'Poor planning’ by grid operator REE blamed for April blackout in Spain and Portugal
Tanya Weaver
Following an investigation by the government, an official report has now been published detailing that the blackout was due to voltage control.
It points to a series of technical and operational failures that increased the severity of the event. Following the abrupt loss of power generation in Granada, a complicated chain reaction of grid disconnections soon ensued.
Within seconds, similar disconnections had occurred in Badajoz and Seville, and within 30 seconds the entire Iberian peninsula was experiencing a complete blackout.
Sara Aagesen, Spain’s minister of ecological transition and demographic challenge, said that the cause of the blackout was “poor planning” by REE and “improper” actions by the electricity companies.
She said that the failure to calculate the correct mix of energy to allow the grid to absorb a surge in voltage ultimately brought down the entire system.
She said that the nine power plants did not operate as planned as a result of the surge, and so failed to maintain an appropriate voltage level in the power system.
Aagesen said: ”Each and every one of them experienced some degree of noncompliance” and did not “absorb all the reactive power that was expected”.
She added: ”The system did not have sufficient voltage control capabilities. Either because they were not sufficiently programmed, or because those that were programmed did not adequately provide what was required by the standard, or a combination of both.”
The government report also found that REE failed to switch on thermal power stations, which would have helped stabilise the system.
Aagesen said REE “made their calculations and estimated that [switching on more thermal plants] was not necessary at this time. They only set it for the early hours of the day, not the central hours.”
She also made it clear that the cause was not a lack of installed capacity. “There was enough generation capacity to respond” but rather the cause was a “mismanagement” of available energy resources.
Tanya Weaver
Following an investigation by the government, an official report has now been published detailing that the blackout was due to voltage control.
It points to a series of technical and operational failures that increased the severity of the event. Following the abrupt loss of power generation in Granada, a complicated chain reaction of grid disconnections soon ensued.
Within seconds, similar disconnections had occurred in Badajoz and Seville, and within 30 seconds the entire Iberian peninsula was experiencing a complete blackout.
Sara Aagesen, Spain’s minister of ecological transition and demographic challenge, said that the cause of the blackout was “poor planning” by REE and “improper” actions by the electricity companies.
She said that the failure to calculate the correct mix of energy to allow the grid to absorb a surge in voltage ultimately brought down the entire system.
She said that the nine power plants did not operate as planned as a result of the surge, and so failed to maintain an appropriate voltage level in the power system.
Aagesen said: ”Each and every one of them experienced some degree of noncompliance” and did not “absorb all the reactive power that was expected”.
She added: ”The system did not have sufficient voltage control capabilities. Either because they were not sufficiently programmed, or because those that were programmed did not adequately provide what was required by the standard, or a combination of both.”
The government report also found that REE failed to switch on thermal power stations, which would have helped stabilise the system.
Aagesen said REE “made their calculations and estimated that [switching on more thermal plants] was not necessary at this time. They only set it for the early hours of the day, not the central hours.”
She also made it clear that the cause was not a lack of installed capacity. “There was enough generation capacity to respond” but rather the cause was a “mismanagement” of available energy resources.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [362500/29650/26] Posted by a-driver at 22:53, 19th June 2025 | |
Not a very good day......
Alterations to services at Didcot Parkway
Due to a points failure at Didcot Parkway some lines are closed.
Train services running through this station may be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 18:45 19/06.
Alterations to services at Didcot Parkway
Due to a points failure at Didcot Parkway some lines are closed.
Train services running through this station may be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 18:45 19/06.
Better than I expected though considering air temperatures hit over 32°c in London
| Re: HS2 - Government proposals, alternative routes and general discussion In "The Wider Picture in the United Kingdom" [362497/5138/51] Posted by Trowres at 21:57, 19th June 2025 | |
It is interesting to compare HS2 with schemes elsewhere.
Denmark's first high speed line (Copenhagen-Ringsted) had a slight head start on HS2, the idea being considered from 2007 (vs. 2009 for HS2). Again, capacity was a primary motivation. Speed aspirations were more modest, with 250kph being considered.
Much of the route runs parallel with motorways. There is some tunneling in urban areas; also some viaducts; but not on the scale of HS2. The work was planned as multiple contracts in the range of Euro30m to Euro200m.
Construction started in 2012 and it was opened in 2019. Operations had a very gradual start due to problems with the ETCS. The route forms an integral part of the Danish network and will, a few years from now, connect to the European network via the Fehmarn Belt link to Germany.
Outturn cost for the 60km double track electrified line? DKK10bn, or about £1.2bn (give or take a bit on the exchange rates)
(edited to correct the name of the link to Germany)
| Re: Okehampton In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [362496/18334/24] Posted by Mark A at 21:54, 19th June 2025 | |
It should be built through to Plymouth asap to further broaden educational choices for Okehampton students.
With a secure bus link from North Cornwall so that people from there and from Tavistock can then look to educational opportunities in Okehampton. :-)
Mark
| Re: Okehampton In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [362495/18334/24] Posted by TaplowGreen at 21:50, 19th June 2025 | |
.....the law of unintended consequences strikes again....https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/rallying-cry-save-devon-sixth-10278926
Are you saying the railway shouldn't have reopened?
I'm highlighting the impact it's had on Okehampton College, as per the article I linked & the feature on BBC Southwest News earlier tonight.
| Re: Okehampton In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [362493/18334/24] Posted by RichardB at 21:39, 19th June 2025 | |
.....the law of unintended consequences strikes again....https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/rallying-cry-save-devon-sixth-10278926
Are you saying the railway shouldn't have reopened?
| Re: Secure Connection In "News, Help and Assistance" [362492/30375/29] Posted by grahame at 21:16, 19th June 2025 Already liked by Mark A, Oxonhutch | |
Watching ...
Naughty boys may be throwing stones ... but ineffective now, and the server is recovering.
References to "Naughty boys" should of course - for political correctness - be to "Naughty People".
| Re: Secure Connection In "News, Help and Assistance" [362491/30375/29] Posted by grahame at 20:43, 19th June 2025 | |
I just got the same message again. 
OK ... I have just looked at the server and it seems heavily overloaded ... looks like a (distributed) denial of service which probably means that certain things get blocked. I have add some locations to my "naught boy" list and expect the issues to be reduced at least. Watching ...
| Re: Secure Connection In "News, Help and Assistance" [362490/30375/29] Posted by Surrey 455 at 20:12, 19th June 2025 | |
I've been getting this message a few times recently when I go to my saved bookmark https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?action=unread
Anything to be worried about? If I simply refresh the page it loads but sometimes shows no unread topics even though its been 24 hours or more since I last visited the site.
Anything to be worried about? If I simply refresh the page it loads but sometimes shows no unread topics even though its been 24 hours or more since I last visited the site.
I just got the same message again.
| Re: Melksham to ... where? .... In "Introductions and chat" [362489/30376/1] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:06, 19th June 2025 | |
That could prove to be expensive. From the BBC, yesterday, in Wiltshire:
Man fined £2.8k after abandoning car on busy road
A man has been fined £2,869 after abandoning his car on the side of a dual carriageway along with a note saying it had broken down.
Jeremy Lopes, of Park Avenue in Southall, London, left his untaxed Skoda Octavia parked on the edge of the A303 near Cholderton, Wiltshire, in July 2024.
Wiltshire Council posted a seven-day abandoned vehicle removal notice on the windscreen of the vehicle but the owner failed to comply.
Councillor Martin Smith said dumping a vehicle is taken very seriously as it risks attracting "vandalism and rubbish" and costs the local taxpayer money to have it removed.
Officers called the phone number left on the note and spoke to a man who identified himself as the owner. He stated he would be moving the vehicle within 24 hours. When officers returned two days later the vehicle was still abandoned, untaxed, covered in debris and showed evidence of rusty brake discs. He was also contacted by Environmental Enforcement Officers and notified of the charges involved in reclaiming the vehicle, and the disposal costs if not reclaimed.
Mr Smith, cabinet member for highways, street scene and flooding, said the council's enforcement officers investigate every report of abandoned vehicles. "Most are removed by the owners when we contact them," he said. "We want to take responsibility for the environment and protect Wiltshire's beautiful countryside and scenic views. Abandoning a vehicle is not only a criminal offence, but it can also attract vandalism and rubbish, potentially having a negative effect on our visitors and residents. I hope this case shows that we take the abandoning of vehicles seriously and will act to deter people from considering doing this in the future."
A man has been fined £2,869 after abandoning his car on the side of a dual carriageway along with a note saying it had broken down.
Jeremy Lopes, of Park Avenue in Southall, London, left his untaxed Skoda Octavia parked on the edge of the A303 near Cholderton, Wiltshire, in July 2024.
Wiltshire Council posted a seven-day abandoned vehicle removal notice on the windscreen of the vehicle but the owner failed to comply.
Councillor Martin Smith said dumping a vehicle is taken very seriously as it risks attracting "vandalism and rubbish" and costs the local taxpayer money to have it removed.
Officers called the phone number left on the note and spoke to a man who identified himself as the owner. He stated he would be moving the vehicle within 24 hours. When officers returned two days later the vehicle was still abandoned, untaxed, covered in debris and showed evidence of rusty brake discs. He was also contacted by Environmental Enforcement Officers and notified of the charges involved in reclaiming the vehicle, and the disposal costs if not reclaimed.
Mr Smith, cabinet member for highways, street scene and flooding, said the council's enforcement officers investigate every report of abandoned vehicles. "Most are removed by the owners when we contact them," he said. "We want to take responsibility for the environment and protect Wiltshire's beautiful countryside and scenic views. Abandoning a vehicle is not only a criminal offence, but it can also attract vandalism and rubbish, potentially having a negative effect on our visitors and residents. I hope this case shows that we take the abandoning of vehicles seriously and will act to deter people from considering doing this in the future."
Not an exactly similar situation, I agree, but it does show that councils can be quite determined (perhaps when it suits them).
CfN.
| Re: Where's GrahamE today - 17th June 2025 In "The Lighter Side" [362488/30372/30] Posted by grahame at 20:02, 19th June 2025 Already liked by Surrey 455 | |
From Wikipedia, I think they are narrow gauge railway carriages originally built in 1920 - but I have no idea where they are now.
CfN.
CfN.
Take a careful look at my picture though. Yes, that's the prototype, I'm sure ...
Here is the locomotive if it helps
| Re: Where's GrahamE today - 17th June 2025 In "The Lighter Side" [362487/30372/30] Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:50, 19th June 2025 | |
From Wikipedia, I think they are narrow gauge railway carriages originally built in 1920 - but I have no idea where they are now.
CfN.
| Re: 2025 - Service update and amendment log, Swindon <-> Westbury In "TransWilts line" [362486/29726/18] Posted by grahame at 19:49, 19th June 2025 | |
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 was terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Dilton Marsh, Warminster and Salisbury.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
17:50 Gloucester to Salisbury due 20:06 was terminated at Westbury.
It will no longer call at Dilton Marsh, Warminster and Salisbury.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
| Re: Cholsey and Wallingford Railway - between Didcot Parkway and Reading In "Heritage railways, Railtours, buses, canals, steamships and other public transport based attractions" [362485/2888/47] Posted by Ralph Ayres at 19:17, 19th June 2025 | |
Had an enjoyable railway plus visit today. Seemed to be good numbers on the train for a hot midweek day and plenty of friendly volunteers. Good for them for putting on quite an impressive timetable which meant I could just turn up without worrying about a long gap between trains. At the Cholsey end the station has little to recommend except a handy (morning only and not Sundays!) loo, but a short walk away there's a bric-a-brac sale Saturday morning, a music, beer and food festival Saturday from 4, and open gardens Sunday 11-4. The village centre is a few minutes walk, with Agatha Christie's grave in the churchyard somewhat further on.
Wallingford station is much improved from when I last saw it since the Maidenhead canopy was re-erected there, plus light refreshments and a small museum and bookshop. The town has more to offer including a small museum and aCarnival on Saturday afternoon. I never did find my way into the castle though; it may be in ruins but it seems pretty impregnable!
| Re: Okehampton In "Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South" [362484/18334/24] Posted by TaplowGreen at 18:50, 19th June 2025 Already liked by Chris from Nailsea | |
.....the law of unintended consequences strikes again....https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/rallying-cry-save-devon-sixth-10278926
| Re: Melksham to ... where? .... In "Introductions and chat" [362483/30376/1] Posted by IndustryInsider at 18:48, 19th June 2025 | |
Melksham Twined with The People's Republic of Pilning by the look of it..
Popular Front, surely?
| Re: Melksham to ... where? .... In "Introductions and chat" [362482/30376/1] Posted by TaplowGreen at 18:44, 19th June 2025 | |
Melksham Twined with The People's Republic of Pilning by the look of it..
Entwined?
| Re: Melksham to ... where? .... In "Introductions and chat" [362480/30376/1] Posted by Western Pathfinder at 17:51, 19th June 2025 | |
Melksham Twined with The People's Republic of Pilning by the look of it..
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [362479/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 17:40, 19th June 2025 | |
17:30: Points failures being reported at Didcot and between Oxford and Banbury.
15:18 Hereford to London Paddington due 18:29 has been delayed between Malvern Link and Worcester Foregate Street and is now 21 minutes late.
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:19/06/2025 16:35
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:19/06/2025 16:35
The halts train has been affected by the points failures:
17:04 Didcot Parkway to Evesham due 18:23 will be terminated at Oxford.
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:19/06/2025 17:18
18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:19/06/2025 17:18
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:19/06/2025 17:18
18:51 Evesham to Oxford due 19:50 will be cancelled.
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:19/06/2025 17:18
And, in a really useful development, the 17:34 to Hereford is no longer cancelled. But...
17:34 London Paddington to Hereford due 20:25 will be reinstated.
It will be terminated at Reading.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:19/06/2025 16:17
It will be terminated at Reading.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:19/06/2025 16:17
18:30 : and, having got to Reading, it's now running ECS to Hereford.
| Re: Melksham to ... where? .... In "Introductions and chat" [362478/30376/1] Posted by Timmer at 17:19, 19th June 2025 | |
Hope so for his sake or those fines from the parking company will be racking up unless he’s either paid for parking or come to some arrangement with them.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [362477/29650/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 17:02, 19th June 2025 | |
Not a very good day......
Alterations to services at Didcot Parkway
Due to a points failure at Didcot Parkway some lines are closed.
Train services running through this station may be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until 18:45 19/06.
| Re: North Cotswold line delays and cancellations - 2025 In "London to the Cotswolds" [362476/29711/14] Posted by Worcester_Passenger at 16:10, 19th June 2025 | |
13:50 London Paddington to Great Malvern due 16:15 will be terminated at Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:19/06/2025 15:36
16:32 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 19:29 will be started from Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:19/06/2025 15:36
22:00 Hereford to Worcester Shrub Hill due 22:52 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:19/06/2025 13:35
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:19/06/2025 15:36
16:32 Great Malvern to London Paddington due 19:29 will be started from Worcester Foregate Street.
This is due to a points failure.
Last Updated:19/06/2025 15:36
22:00 Hereford to Worcester Shrub Hill due 22:52 will be cancelled.
This is due to a shortage of train crew.
Last Updated:19/06/2025 13:35
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [362475/29650/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 14:16, 19th June 2025 | |
Cancellations to services between Newbury and Bedwyn
Due to a fault with the signalling system between Newbury and Bedwyn all lines are disrupted.
Train services running through these stations will be cancelled. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.
Customer Advice
Due to an issue with the signalling system between Newbury - Bedwyn the service will be suspended until further notice.
| Re: Thames Valley infrastructure problems causing disruption elsewhere - 2025 In "Across the West" [362474/29650/26] Posted by TaplowGreen at 14:13, 19th June 2025 | |
Delays to services between London Paddington and Reading
Following a fault with the signalling system between London Paddington and Reading some lines are now open.
Train services running to and from these stations are returning to normal. Disruption is expected until 14:30 19/06.
Customer Advice
Due to a signalling issue lines between London Paddington - Reading, some services maybe delayed, altered or cancelled.
| Re: Melksham to ... where? .... In "Introductions and chat" [362473/30376/1] Posted by matth1j at 12:55, 19th June 2025 | |
