Eventful trip to Watford

I had a job interview this afternoon in Watford and while the interview went okay, the train journey there and back was more eventful. On the way there I noted 150132, a somewhat incongruous sight in Network West Midlands livery working the Bletchley - Bedford branch. The Royal Train, which was heading northbound, was passed between Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead. Not sure if it was an outward trip or returning to Wolverton.

The return journey proved much more eventful. My original intention had been to get the 1811 from Watford Junction (WJ) to Bletchley but as I was back a little earlier, I got the late running 1751 from WJ. As seems to be a custom, particularly since London Midland took over, late running services tend to miss stops en route. So Ting was omitted and Bletchley was also going to be missed. With hindsight I should have stayed on to Milton Keynes Central and then got the next service back but instead decided to alight at Leighton Buzzard.

The next northbound service from here to Bletchley was the 1828, which was being delayed due to a train fault. About 1845 it was apparent that there were problems further up the line particularly in the London-bound direction as the signals at that end of the platform had not cleared. Within a few minutes there was an announcement that there were major signalling problems, although location was unspecified it later appears that this was in the Tring area. Subsequently the 1828 was becoming later and later.

By 1905 trains were on the move again but I never did see the much delayed 1828 as I got a later but still late running (!) service at 1907 back to Milton Keynes.

I noted at Milton Keynes that the bay platform 1 has been somewhat foreshortened in connection with the works currently on-going. A new down fast line and platform is being installed and a new bay, which I believe will be between the current Platform 1 and Platform 2 The work is scheduled for completion before the timetable change in December 2008.