rogercov
Member
Back in the 80s, before the days of health and safety, I had a strange and potentially dangerous experience on a service from Birmingham New Street to Coventry. I boarded the rear coach of the train as it looked interesting since it was considerably older than the rest of the train. I cannot recall whether it was a diesel-hauled service via Reading or an electric-hauled service to Euston.
Anyway, I was intrigued that an old coach should be attached to the rear this train. I think it was a Mk1 saloon and was in pretty rough condition. It was a quiet time of day and I was the only person in the coach. I soon realised that I could not access the rest of the train as the forward corridor connection door was locked. Out of curiosity, I tried the rear corridor connection door and was somewhat surprised that it opened.... out onto the track which was passing beneath me at around 80mph!
By this time I realised that this coach was not supposed to be in service. I discovered that all of the passenger doors were locked apart from the one I had used to board. Fortunately when I arrived at Coventry the platform was on the correct side so I was able to escape.
How common was it for a passenger service to be used to transfer stock in this way and where was this coach likely to be going? Maybe a preservation society?
Anyway, I was intrigued that an old coach should be attached to the rear this train. I think it was a Mk1 saloon and was in pretty rough condition. It was a quiet time of day and I was the only person in the coach. I soon realised that I could not access the rest of the train as the forward corridor connection door was locked. Out of curiosity, I tried the rear corridor connection door and was somewhat surprised that it opened.... out onto the track which was passing beneath me at around 80mph!
By this time I realised that this coach was not supposed to be in service. I discovered that all of the passenger doors were locked apart from the one I had used to board. Fortunately when I arrived at Coventry the platform was on the correct side so I was able to escape.
How common was it for a passenger service to be used to transfer stock in this way and where was this coach likely to be going? Maybe a preservation society?