That was likely a deer. I've had that exact experience a couple of times on that stretch of line. Both times I mentioned to the guard that I'd heard a bang and something under the train, and both times I was told it was "just a deer, I did check from the rear cab".
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EMR derailed train in Thetford area (06/02)
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dk1
Veteran Member
No 156s at Norwich but there are two ex-EMR 153s on the test train. One of the 158s was used to drag the unit involved to Brandon & was left with it when I passed around 22:00 last night. The line was supposed to reopen at 20:00 but further complications saw that become 21:30. I was sent in a taxi from Norwich to restart the 20:20 ex-Cambridge from Ely with a 755 dumped there the previous night & after a tedious trip of delays & cautions finally got back to Norwich at 22:57 81mins late. To add insult to injury we had just a couple of passengers as nobody could estimate when we might leave so they were all sent on a RR bus. Another crew was taxied to Cambridge for the 21:15 but I can’t see if that even ran in the end.
Also of note is 6L81 Tunstead-Brandon stone train has now been cancelled today as those 158s are blocking the sidings.
Yes loads of dead dear in the 4ft & sometimes some of the wild sheep. Rather a bang then you’ll hear them going round the wheels &/or hitting all the underframe equipment as the pass down.
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Fuel, yes. Basic maintenance, no. In any case, what is required here is beyond basic maintenance.
From the grapevine (believe of it what you will) the unit involved in this incident will eventually be taken to Potters at Ely to then be taken by road to wherever.
The unit is on wheel skates so this move to Ely will be at no more than 5mph.
What's required is road transport, wherever's most suitable for that. I understand that Crown Point wouldn't be suitable, but that's because of poor road access rather than it being a Stadler depot. Wymondham would probably have been a better option! The actual reason is that it couldn't be driven from that cab, so wherever it went, it had to be west.
It's off to Ely tonight. No idea why it's 5mph though – skates are usually good for 15mph or so on plain line?
dk1
Veteran Member
That surprised me too but must be a good reason. Private siding maybe?
I've been on a few trains over the years that have run over things. Usually quite trivial with a rattling sound under the train. The most serious was on a sleeper which hit a tree at Pewsey. The front coach was bouncing up and down somewhat as it ran over the debris. Quite impressive given the 120 ton class 47 in front of us. Luckily driver was okay and only minor damage to the loco.
As other have said, the most sensible recovery would be by road, given the extremely long journey that would need to be undertaken at 5mph on skates. It may also be the case that the damage is beyond the capabilities of Eastcroft (likely, I'd suggest) - I expect the vehicle will probably end up at Doncaster, Crewe, Eastleigh (or similar) for repairs (no idea who EMR generally contract to).
Of consideration here is how this absence will leave the EMR fleet - it's well known to be stretched reasonably thin currently.
Of consideration here is how this absence will leave the EMR fleet - it's well known to be stretched reasonably thin currently.
Anonymous10
Established Member
I did wonder that, of course its not like there aren't other 158 operators - namely GWR, SWR, Scotrail, Northern and tfw so I suppose a loan in is possible but TFW I doubt due to their additional systems and GWR due to their shortage of stock.
Used to be 15/20 on plain track, 5 over points and crossings. Had to move a loco on skates from Preston to Crewe once - took several hours and either 2 or (possibly) 3 traincrew!
Falcon1200
Established Member
And regular stops to inspect the wheelskates too! It was not unknown for even relatively short wheelskate moves to take more than one night to complete.
There was around 5 or so units sat on Etches Park today. Of course these could be waiting to have work done on them.
Failed Unit
Established Member
Could the form the good end into 3 car unit?
dk1
Veteran Member
Probably if they are interested in such a micro-fleet of one. Operationaly it might be easier to store it.
Failed Unit
Established Member
In the past when the 153s were about they did have 153+158, 153+156 and 158+156 combos due to various collision. But see your point a 2 car is easier to diagram then a 3 car. Although now EMR have 3 cars in the fleet, Norwich - Liverpool 3 car is better then 2 with EMRs current lack of stock.
pokemonsuper9
Established Member
And would 5 car 158s work for it?
Would also help capacity towards Norwich since it'd up from 2 to 3 cars.
Beech trees are notorious for shedding branches. Never, ever camp under one. And with Ash die-back, the tree becomes very brittle and doesn't take much to snap in. Most conifers are shallow rooted too.
Woodland is a dynamic environment.
TPO
I believe this 5Z99 path is the culprit train, it'll be moved from the stone terminal at Brandon to Ely Papworth Sidings
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Realtime Trains | 5Z99 1200 Brandon Down Goods Loop to Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings | 12/02/2024
Real-time train running information for 5Z99 1200 departure from Brandon Down Goods Loop to Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings on 12/02/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
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In the middle of the day, taking 4½ hours to get to Ely? Good luck trying to find a margin for thatI believe this 5Z99 path is the culprit train, it'll be moved from the stone terminal at Brandon to Ely Papworth Sidings
Realtime Trains | 5Z99 1200 Brandon Down Goods Loop to Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings | 12/02/2024
Real-time train running information for 5Z99 1200 departure from Brandon Down Goods Loop to Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings on 12/02/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
No margin, line is being blocked intentionally with buses provided and trains spinning at Ely.
Anonymous10
Established Member
Possibly it's for visibility so it can be monitored for damage?
It does feel rather unfortunate for the users of the line who have had a miserable week - with this disruption on Tuesday night and most of Wednesday, then the total signal failure at Ely on Friday afternoon/evening/Saturday morning, only half the timetabled service running all weekend as the EMR Ely-Norwich shuttles didn't run, and now this added weekday closure.
There were a couple of overnight paths last week but they ended up being cancelled.
YorkRailFan
On Moderation
Line has re-opened, as reported by EMR.
dk1
Veteran Member
I would imagine it’s being done for visual checks as on skates for quite a journey. Also EMR drivers at Norwich do not work nights.
Will finally release the other 158 to bolster the depleted 158 fleet. Also allows freight traffic to resume at Brandon.
Wonder if it was talked passed as the signal has been removed from Thetfords up platform in the wrong direction for quite a while as has the one in the up siding.
Will finally release the other 158 to bolster the depleted 158 fleet. Also allows freight traffic to resume at Brandon.
Wonder if it was talked passed as the signal has been removed from Thetfords up platform in the wrong direction for quite a while as has the one in the up siding.
YorkRailFan
On Moderation
Derailment of a passenger train at Thetford
Investigation into the derailment of a passenger train following a collision with fallen trees near Thetford, Norfolk, 6 February 2024.
I do love some crashworthiness tests of cabs, and I always find it really interesting to watch and look at the results of course. The management factors part will be particularly interesting, I am skeptical anything will happen because of it, but it will be interesting to see what the RAIB says on that front.
Nicholas Lewis
Established Member
Not sure anything new can be learnt but hopefully it will reveal how handicapped NR are by the system in dealing with trees near the lineside and some improvements to the process can be made.Derailment of a passenger train at Thetford
Investigation into the derailment of a passenger train following a collision with fallen trees near Thetford, Norfolk, 6 February 2024.www.gov.uk
I do love some crashworthiness tests of cabs, and I always find it really interesting to watch and look at the results of course. The management factors part will be particularly interesting, I am skeptical anything will happen because of it, but it will be interesting to see what the RAIB says on that front.