'World's most dangerous commute' - Manila's trolley boys

[Shimbleshanks]

From the BBC website - people offering a hand-pushed trolley rail service, dodging in between the regular commuter services in Manila, Philippines. Get caught on the bridge, and it's a 30-metre drop to the river below...

Manila's 'trolley boys'
One way to travel in the Philippine capital, Manila, is by trolley. Passengers choose this unofficial transport service because it's quicker and cheaper than other options. For the homeless community that runs the illegal service, it puts food on the table. But it's also incredibly dangerous.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-46828430/manila-s-trolley-boys

 

[306024]

This is currently on BBC World Asia TV too. Now where in the UK would such a service be possible

 

[theageofthetra]

This is currently on BBC World Asia TV too. Now where in the UK would such a service be possible

Grove Park Bromley North on a Sunday (with the juice off obviously) Gravity worked on the up service too.

 

[Whattraintoday]

Saw the piece and at one stage there's a bloke sat on a bridge truss as a train passes him. My first thought was "In the UK that alone would shut down the entire line and have an emergency team dispatched to deal, never mind the trolleys!!"

Not that I'm saying that's a bad thing, just an indicator of a very different attitude to trespass.

 

[pdeaves]

Presumably the railway has no track circuits (or equivalent) that would detect the 'obstruction' trolley. Try it in most places in the UK and the chances are everything will stop whilst the trolley and people are unceremoniously removed!

 

[AlexNL]

Track circuits work by closing a circuit between the two rails, which allows current to flow through the train's axles and thus close a circuit. It looks like those trolleys are made out of mostly wooden parts, apart from the part which actually slides along the rails. If there's no path to conduct the track circuit currents from one wheel to the other, the current won't flow and train occupation won't be noticed by the protection system.

I think axle counters might be able to detect these devices, as they detect when a magnetic field is disturbed by a passing wheel.

 

[AndrewE]

It must be a nightmare for the real train drivers. Even if speeds are slow they probably can't stop on sight, and you can't have a permanent speed restriction "just in case," but maybe they do.
Seeing as they run after dark you would think the trolley pushers would rig up a strong tail light...

 

[Bayum]

It must be a nightmare for the real train drivers. Even if speeds are slow they probably can't stop on sight, and you can't have a permanent speed restriction "just in case," but maybe they do.
Seeing as they run after dark you would think the trolley pushers would rig up a strong tail light...

I'm sure with all the money they earn, buying luxuries like lights is the first thing that crosses their mind.

 

[AndrewE]

They seem to be interested in self-preservation, so investment in an LED torch might not be out of the question.
Maybe they have learnt to listen out for a train catching them up - and to get off the track quickly.