All Paddington trains cancelled until further notice - AIBU?

[ChocolateFrogs]

I'm at Paddington waiting for a train that was meant to leave around fifteen minutes ago.

I've found out that a person has been hit by a train at Hayes and Harlington. All trains on all lines at Paddington have now been cancelled until further notice.

AIBU in asking you if you think that Paddington could have handled this better? Why have all trains been cancelled? Many don't operate on lines that pass near Hayes and Harlington.

My colleagues were on a train platform when someone was hit by a train. Its horrific and it takes a long time to get the trains moving again as the process has to be as thorough and respectful as possible. Then the tracks have to be checked for any damage and the train recovered.

If it was a simple job then they would open the lines. Train companies hate delaying/cancelling trains as it costs a lot of money. It isn't something done lightly.

As an aside, a couple of weeks ago I met a man in slough whose job it is to be alert for any potential suicides as trains go through at 125mph.

It must be incredibly difficult to be a train driver in these circumstances, there is no denying that. But I'm surprised- my ex was a BT policeman and would never have said his pain was similar to the family.

It's not a sick competition about whose grief is worse. I simply responded to a post saying they felt more sorry for the train driver than the family.

Hayes and Harlington has a bit of "history" with suicides there i believe its due to the Asian community in the area

I used to commute on the line, and sadly, it is a very common occurrence. Cholsey, further down the line between Reading and Didcot had a similar history - it used to have a large mental hospital nearby. And yes, it can delay you for hours. They will tell you there has been an 'incident' but those who travel regularly can interpret what that means. Those trains which have buffet cars on would give out free drinks. Sometimes, depending where the incident occurred, they could re route other trains but not on the approaches to Paddington. It's distressing for all concerned.

Have bo idea why just got a kicking for saying what they did
Comparing grieve is ridiculous.
I have lost many close family members. I still grieve.
I could never imagine being a driver in these circumstances though.
That would haunt me.
I don't think i would ever get over it.

My brother works on the railways. He had to help deal with the aftermath of an incident like this once. He was very traumatised by it. Even a few years on he goes quiet if the subject comes up and he's not really a quiet person! This affects so many people, it's terrible.

You may be interested to know that Network Rail are taking this issue very seriously these days;

On their main page,

www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/life-saving-interventions-on-rail-network-up-40-in-one-year/

and the the area of concern;

www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/railway-suicide-prevention-training-saving-lives-in-the-thames-valley/

And in conjunction wit the Samaritans;

www.samaritans.org/for-business/rail-industry-suicide-prevention-programme

5BlueHydrangea hope your brother is ok. That is awful

I suspect things may have moved on. Sadly this is not uncommon through Paddington. I'm a regular commuter and I get caught maybe once or twice a year. I tend to take the view that I am incredibly lucky not to be on the train that hit someone and that my mental health has never failed me to the extent that it seems like my best option.

On a more practical level, the best solution is usually to get down to Waterloo (Bakerloo tube) and take the stopping service to Reading. The majority of Paddington services go as far asReading then turn in these circumstances so you should be able to pick up a train to Cheltenham there. Also go onto the live trains section of National Rail and track services in and out of Reading so you will be able to see which platform to head for.