Full train timetable restored through Dorset following fuel problems
Services have been affected for a week
Trains running through Dorset will be back on their full timetable again from today (Friday 28th April), following a week of problems caused the diesel fuel they use.
South Western Railway say the issues were caused by fuel filters on trains' engines becoming blocked, meaning they had acceleration problems and couldn't reach top speeds.
The train company say the issue's still under investigation, but engineers at the Salisbury depot have been carrying our extra maintenance of the affected trains.
Fuel tanks at the depot, which provide 35,000 litres of fuel to the diesel fleet every day, have been deep cleaned and are also using fresh fuel.
That's meant train performance has been restored, allowing for services to gradually stepped up.
Neil Drury, SWR’s Engineering Director, said:
“We’re sorry for the disruption that customers in the Basingstoke, Exeter, Romsey, Salisbury and Yeovil areas have felt since last Friday. It was a difficult decision to amend our timetables and we have worked hard to restore services as quickly as we can.
“We have taken a number of steps to mitigate the problem, which we believe is related to the contamination of diesel fuel. Many of our trains have returned to the levels of performance that we expect and while there is still work to do, we are pleased to be able to restore the full timetable on Friday 28th.
“Once again we’re very sorry for the disruption and grateful for the continued patience of our customers."
Chris Loder, MP for West Dorset, said:
“It's been a tough week for train users locally and throughout the whole line. But I’ve been engaging closely with SWR to find a prompt solution and am pleased they have worked quickly to restore a full service in time for the bank holiday weekend.”