Broken Rail, Grantham. 21/09/15

[Red Dragon]

Did an Edinburgh to Kings Cross train make an additional stop at Grantham today to cover for the disruption?

A friend of mine was there and he said they did although it was crammed but RTT is showing it as a stop that dosen't allow passengers to board.

Yes I was on it - it was rammed to the gunnels. It had stopped to pick up at Doncaster and all the pax from the Leeds to Kings Cross trains which terminated at Donny tried to board.
Very cosy - I now understand what FGW or gWr passengers have to put up with every morning.

 

[Ploughman]

Was it the collapse of the sleeper that caused the IBJ to break rather than the other way round?

 

[455driver]

Was it the collapse of the sleeper that caused the IBJ to break rather than the other way round?

I would guess that the joint went first and then the sleeper got hammered to death.

 

[Mugby]

I would guess that the joint went first and then the sleeper got hammered to death.

No, actually it's more likely to be the condition of the sleeper which caused the joint to break. If the sleeper had been sound and tightly packed, it shouldn't have happened, especially this weather. It is utterly shameful though, if joint sleepers are allowed to get in such a state on the ECML.

Such incidents are not easily or quickly dealt with, these insulated joints are factory made, 30ft long (15ft either side) a complete unit with plates and bolts glued in with extremely high strength resin. If the bolts were burnt off and the plates removed (again, very difficult) some temporary clamp plates could have been fitted but an ESR would have been necessary, such action could buy some time and keep the line open until a new joint could be delivered to site and welded in.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

What's the typical lifespan of a concrete sleeper?

 

[DaleCooper]

these insulated joints are factory made, 30ft long

Are they really 30ft long? Looks more like 3ft in the photo.

 

[Mugby]

Are they really 30ft long? Looks more like 3ft in the photo.

No, what I meant was the complete unit is 30ft long, that is two pieces of rail, both 15ft, joined by the plates and assembled in the factory. Apart from the superior strength of these joints, it is not permissible for rails of less than 15ft length to be welded into CWR.

 

[455driver]

Are they really 30ft long? Looks more like 3ft in the photo.

Yes they are, there are 15ft rails at either end, they are manufactured in a factory to ensure they are as strong as possible and the whole thing is welded in as one unit, they are not assembled on site bar the welding in.

 

[steamybrian]

I got caught in the delays.!!
When I arrived Kings Cross at 1040 the only northbound ECML trains were the half hourly Edinburgh (and beyond).
I tried to catch the 1100 Kings Cross to Edinburgh but at 1050 it was already full and standing. Boarded the 1130 Kings Cross to Inverness and got a seat (just) in the first class as I had a first class pass. Called additionally Stevenage.
Left Kings Cross on time but was held at Peterborough for about 45 minutes. Got checked south of Newark which I presume was the broken rail site. Because we lost our path got checked outside York and Newcastle. Arrived Edinburgh 70 minutes late.

 

[DaleCooper]

No, what I meant was the complete unit is 30ft long, that is two pieces of rail, both 15ft, joined by the plates and assembled in the factory. Apart from the superior strength of these joints, it is not permissible for rails of less than 15ft length to be welded into CWR.

Yes they are, there are 15ft rails at either end, they are manufactured in a factory to ensure they are as strong as possible and the whole thing is welded in as one unit, they are not assembled on site bar the welding in.

Thanks to both of you for that information.

 

[Ploughman]

No, what I meant was the complete unit is 30ft long, that is two pieces of rail, both 15ft, joined by the plates and assembled in the factory. Apart from the superior strength of these joints, it is not permissible for rails of less than 15ft length to be welded into CWR.

15ft is the minimum as stated however it is more likely that the actual complete joint rails will be 36ft as a minimum to allow for cutting in to suit conditions.
Also I think on sharper curves 60ft may be the minimum.

Joints can also be supplied in any length combinations ie short one end and long the other. Twists can also be incorporated.

 

[wensley]

Another broken rail at Corey's Mill (Hitchin) this morning. Less severe and easily worked round on the Down Slow. A bad two weeks on the ECML keep getting worse...

 

[LowLevel]

Another one today on the up fast at Loversall causing chaos. 5 mph ESR.

 

[gavin]

A horse was hit by a train near Alnmouth earlier this morning and now safety checks of the line are being made between Doncaster and Retford though this is mainly affecting trains going south

I don't think the ECML has had one day problem free this week

 

[wensley]

I don't think the ECML has had one day problem free this week

The last two weeks have been dire. Not good news for the passengers, and I know plenty of staff that are feeling the strain after some very disruptive incidents.

The rail break at Loversall Carr Jn resulting in the line stopped until 5mph could be authorised, a further block is now being taken of the Up Main in order to allow the break to be plated and permit trains to pass at higher speed. SLW in place for trains via the Down Main while this work is carried out.

 

[gavin]

signalling problems between Doncaster and Leeds now with lines blocked

 

[Bungle965]

VTEC day just gets better and better.
Sam

 

[gavin]

All services subject to 30 minute delays through Doncaster due to a signal problem this is on top of the 20 minute delays a bit further south in the Retford area

 

[Scott M]

Bit worrying that rails can get to that condition before being noticed, as that had clearly been damaged for some time. Is the ECML safe?

 

[ainsworth74]

My mother is going to London this weekend and I must admit I have studiously failed to mention, at all, that rather disastrous performance of the ECML of late...

 

[yorksrob]

Gor Blimey, I'm supposed to be getting the train to the Cross tomorrow.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
My Grand Central service has just gone over the flyover at the south end of Donny station. Wonder if that has anything to do with the problems.

 

[gavin]

Overhead wire problems between Stevenage and Peterborough now services maybe delayed between these stations

EDIT

Thankfully things have returned to normal quite quickly and delays were only minor

 

[wensley]

Gor Blimey, I'm supposed to be getting the train to the Cross tomorrow.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
My Grand Central service has just gone over the flyover at the south end of Donny station. Wonder if that has anything to do with the problems.

1A70 is booked via P4 and the Flyover due to a schedule clash running into the Up platforms ex-Adwick!

 

[yorksrob]

1A70 is booked via P4 and the Flyover due to a schedule clash running into the Up platforms ex-Adwick!

Ah thanks. It was certainly a novelty for me!

 

[wensley]

Overhead wire problems between Stevenage and Peterborough now services maybe delayed between these stations

EDIT

Thankfully things have returned to normal quite quickly and delays were only minor

A bit of minor damage to droppers on the DFL. Thankfully no dramas there!
There's a TCF on the Down at Peascliffe now ... marevllous.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

A bit of minor damage to droppers on the DFL. Thankfully no dramas there!
There's a TCF on the Down at Peascliffe now ... marevllous.

What's TCF short for?

 

[Crossover]

What's TCF short for?

Track Circuit Failure, I believe

 

[GB]

Yes, TCF is Track Circuit Failure. But a more accurate terminology is a track circuit showing clear when occupied (SCWO) or a track circuit showing occupied when clear (SOWC)

 

[Domh245]

Of course, SOWC is preferable to SCWO, as SOWC is a fail-safe, whilst SCWO isn't! Any ideas which one it is?

 

[Bald Rick]

Almost certainly the former, as wrong side track circuit failures form somewhat less than 1% of all track circuit failures.