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'Crack' in train forces Heathrow Express to replace stock | 'Crack' in train forces Heathrow Express to replace stock |
(about 3 hours later) | |
All Heathrow Express rolling stock has been taken out of service after engineers found a structural fault on one of its trains. | All Heathrow Express rolling stock has been taken out of service after engineers found a structural fault on one of its trains. |
Trains from the Heathrow Connect fleet have been deployed on the route, while the slower Connect service has been suspended. | Trains from the Heathrow Connect fleet have been deployed on the route, while the slower Connect service has been suspended. |
Heathrow Express services are running at the same speed and frequency as usual. | Heathrow Express services are running at the same speed and frequency as usual. |
But travellers were warned to expect overcrowding at peak times. | But travellers were warned to expect overcrowding at peak times. |
More on this story and other news from London | |
Train drivers union Aslef told the BBC a crack was found in the underframe of one train on Sunday. | Train drivers union Aslef told the BBC a crack was found in the underframe of one train on Sunday. |
A spokeswoman for Heathrow Express said the fault was "passable" but that engineers had "decided to test every single train" as a safety precaution. | A spokeswoman for Heathrow Express said the fault was "passable" but that engineers had "decided to test every single train" as a safety precaution. |
Heathrow Express director Fraser Brown said: "We are working with Siemens engineers, who manage our depot site and the maintenance of our trains, to understand the extent of this issue. | Heathrow Express director Fraser Brown said: "We are working with Siemens engineers, who manage our depot site and the maintenance of our trains, to understand the extent of this issue. |
"When we are aware of what we are dealing with, we will be able to make a decision on when a full service will resume." | "When we are aware of what we are dealing with, we will be able to make a decision on when a full service will resume." |
Heathrow Express has cut its single fare from London Paddington to Heathrow from £22 to £17 to help compensate travellers who would otherwise have taken the cheaper Connect service, which costs £10.20. | Heathrow Express has cut its single fare from London Paddington to Heathrow from £22 to £17 to help compensate travellers who would otherwise have taken the cheaper Connect service, which costs £10.20. |
Business First travellers are entitled to a full refund. | Business First travellers are entitled to a full refund. |
'Smelly' | 'Smelly' |
Passengers who wish to travel to one of the stations on the Heathrow Connect route have been advised to take the 140 bus from Heathrow to Hayes & Harlington, followed by a Great Western Railway service to Paddington. | Passengers who wish to travel to one of the stations on the Heathrow Connect route have been advised to take the 140 bus from Heathrow to Hayes & Harlington, followed by a Great Western Railway service to Paddington. |
Great Western Railway will run extra trains between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington. | Great Western Railway will run extra trains between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington. |
Piccadilly line tube services to Heathrow are unaffected. | Piccadilly line tube services to Heathrow are unaffected. |
Travellers took to Twitter to complain about the replacement trains. | Travellers took to Twitter to complain about the replacement trains. |
"Why no mention in hex [Heathrow Express] app?" tweeted @xtianh. "I would have taken an earlier tube! Short train=Cramped. No power = no laptop use - like tube!" | "Why no mention in hex [Heathrow Express] app?" tweeted @xtianh. "I would have taken an earlier tube! Short train=Cramped. No power = no laptop use - like tube!" |
Another traveller, @marcusx, complained of "dirty, smelly replacement trains". | Another traveller, @marcusx, complained of "dirty, smelly replacement trains". |
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