Chiltern disruption - 8th October

[md2016]

Chaos tonight as a herd of cows got onto the tracks near Denham. National rail workers with torches eventually got the cows off the tracks, but sadly once the track was opened hours later a subsequent train hit a cow.

Does anyone know how fast the train was travelling at the time, or what the risk of derailment was?

Thoughts for the driver for what must have been a pretty stressful incident.

Edit for context: I was stuck and ended up getting a cab from Denham Golf Club, where I could see men in the distance with flashlights but it was very dark. The other information was provided by Chiltern via X.

 

[12LDA28C]

Chaos tonight as a herd of cows got onto the tracks near Denham. National rail workers with torches eventually got the cows off the tracks, but sadly once the track was opened hours later a subsequent train hit a cow.

Does anyone know how fast the train was travelling at the time, or what the risk of derailment was?

Thoughts for the driver for what must have been a pretty stressful incident.

I don't know about the speed of the train but an adult cow can weigh over half a ton. Not too much chance of derailment but certainly scope for severely damaging / disabling a train, particularly if hit at anything near line speed.

 

[JustPassingBy]

Various diversions via Aylesbury taking place...

One example: Oxford - Princes Risborough - High Wycombe - Princes Risborough - Aylesbury- Marylebone

Realtime Trains | 1Y81 2049 Oxford to London Marylebone | 08/10/2024

Real-time train running information for 1Y81 2049 departure from Oxford to London Marylebone on 08/10/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

143 late at Marylebone

Another example: Marylebone - Aylesbury - Princes Risborough - Birmingham:

Realtime Trains | 1R69 2202 London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street | 08/10/2024

Real-time train running information for 1R69 2202 departure from London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street on 08/10/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[12LDA28C]

Various diversions via Aylesbury taking place...

One example: Oxford - Princes Risborough - High Wycombe - Princes Risborough - Aylesbury- Marylebone

Realtime Trains | 1Y81 2049 Oxford to London Marylebone | 08/10/2024

Real-time train running information for 1Y81 2049 departure from Oxford to London Marylebone on 08/10/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

143 late at Marylebone

Another example: Marylebone - Aylesbury - Princes Risborough - Birmingham:

Realtime Trains | 1R69 2202 London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street | 08/10/2024

Real-time train running information for 1R69 2202 departure from London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street on 08/10/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

That happens quite often when there's a line block south of Princes Risborough although it causes a problem for Birmingham crews as they don't sign the Aylesbury - Princes Risborough branch.

 

[Horizon22]

A train did appear to hit a cow but not at full speed as there was already a caution. Also there was the risk of the cows falling down the embankment and near the M25…

That happens quite often when there's a line block south of Princes Risborough although it causes a problem for Birmingham crews as they don't sign the Aylesbury - Princes Risborough branch.

Chiltern isn’t exactly the most extensive route and okay such incidents as this are rare, but it would seem reasonable for all crews to sign (almost) every diversion.

 

[zwk500]

Chiltern isn’t exactly the most extensive route and okay such incidents as this are rare, but it would seem reasonable for all crews to sign (almost) every diversion.

How often would a Birmingham crew need the branch? Trying to maintain that knowledge instead of just swapping crews at Risborough seems slightly ott.

 

[Class2ldn]

A train did appear to hit a cow but not at full speed as there was already a caution. Also there was the risk of the cows falling down the embankment and near the M25…



Chiltern isn’t exactly the most extensive route and okay such incidents as this are rare, but it would seem reasonable for all crews to sign (almost) every diversion.

Yeah but they don't, in this case they had to get an Aylesbury driver to conduct over the branch to Risborough.
The only depots that sign from Aylesbury to Risborough are Aylesbury and Marylebone

 

[paok]

The cows got onto the line where there has been extensive vegetation clearance by NR in past few months and temporary accesses created.

 

[LowLevel]

A train did appear to hit a cow but not at full speed as there was already a caution. Also there was the risk of the cows falling down the embankment and near the M25…



Chiltern isn’t exactly the most extensive route and okay such incidents as this are rare, but it would seem reasonable for all crews to sign (almost) every diversion.

The caution had been removed it seems following trains in each direction reporting no sign of the cows.

The farce continues as they're apparently back on the line this morning.

 

[12LDA28C]

How often would a Birmingham crew need the branch? Trying to maintain that knowledge instead of just swapping crews at Risborough seems slightly ott.

When diversions happen such as this, which is a reasonably common occurrence and happens once or twice a year. Evidently not frequently enough to make it cost-effective for them to retain route knowledge.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I don't know about the speed of the train but an adult cow can weigh over half a ton. Not too much chance of derailment but certainly scope for severely damaging / disabling a train, particularly if hit at anything near line speed.

In the Thorpe le Soken derailment in July 2022, the train had reduced speed to around 27 mph at the point of impact and was derailed. A lot depends on angles as well as speed; every instance is different.

 

[i00I6h6N]

Morning all. I found this thread via Google as I was on the affected train last night and wondered if there was any further news.

To answer what happened, we were travelling at full speed. The 20.40 to Oxford was the first to leave MYB after the line opened and was due to get to my station on time. We had crossed the M25 when we were stopped.

I was in the driver’s carriage and we were jolted about quite a bit as the wheels went over but not so much that anyone fell. It was quite scary though. I think we possibly hit more than one cow. The train is apparently very damaged.

I have to say that the driver was an absolute class act in what was a very difficult situation. He had to assess the damage and situation by himself and got us all safely to GX, and kept us up to date.

 

[12LDA28C]

In the Thorpe le Soken derailment in July 2022, the train had reduced speed to around 27 mph at the point of impact and was derailed. A lot depends on angles as well as speed; every instance is different.

Indeed however that incident involved the train hitting four cows, probably with a combined mass of around 2 tons. Although as you say, every incident is different.

 

[Carlisle]

The caution had been removed it seems following trains in each direction reporting no sign of the cows.

The farce continues as they're apparently back on the line this morning.

Yes, didn’t a similar collision occur in Kent a few years ago where a caution was removed prior to a proper inspection to check the line was fully clear of all cattle .

 

[The exile]

I don't know about the speed of the train but an adult cow can weigh over half a ton. Not too much chance of derailment but certainly scope for severely damaging / disabling a train, particularly if hit at anything near line speed.

Polmont?

 

[cambsy]

Cows could derail a train, in right circumstances as at Polmont, where the light DBSO was leading, so derailed, was very nasty accident at the time.

 

[sammyg901]

The 2202 left early without any indication on the boards and people still making their way to the train which was not ideal. I didn't twig they were diverting via Aylesbury or I'd have chanced it and then the 2157 was cancelled last minute so I ended up going over to Euston. Noticed the last "mainline" trains were cancelled too which is unusual, difficult night !

 

[Lurcheroo]

Does anyone know how fast the train was travelling at the time, or what the risk of derailment was?

I don't know about the speed of the train but an adult cow can weigh over half a ton. Not too much chance of derailment but certainly scope for severely damaging / disabling a train, particularly if hit at anything near line speed.

Cows are big and certainly can derail a train.
It happened 2 years ago to a GA train.
Link:

Kent train derailed after hitting herd of cows

A passenger train in Kent is derailed when it hits cows that had strayed on to the tracks.

www.bbc.com

There are plenty of other examples if you do a google search.

 

[Horizon22]

Cows are big and certainly can derail a train.
It happened 2 years ago to a GA train.
Link:

Kent train derailed after hitting herd of cows

A passenger train in Kent is derailed when it hits cows that had strayed on to the tracks.

www.bbc.com

There are plenty of other examples if you do a google search.

Think you mean Southeatern if it was in Kent!

Yes cows are probably the largest animal/item on track m a train can hit so perfectly possible to cause a derailment

 

[12LDA28C]

Cows are big and certainly can derail a train.
It happened 2 years ago to a GA train.
Link:

Kent train derailed after hitting herd of cows

A passenger train in Kent is derailed when it hits cows that had strayed on to the tracks.

www.bbc.com

There are plenty of other examples if you do a google search.

I'm aware what a cow looks like thankyou, I've seen one before. Your link is to a report of a train hitting 'a herd of cows' whereas the OP in this thread mentioned a single cow being struck which would give less chance of a derailment.

Polmont?

I believe the DBSO at Polmont struck a single cow, as per the Chiltern incident described by the OP in this thread, although derailment from hitting one animal is pretty rare.

 

[Dan G]

Chaos tonight as a herd of cows got onto the tracks near Denham. National rail workers with torches eventually got the cows off the tracks, but sadly once the track was opened hours later a subsequent train hit a cow.

Does anyone know how fast the train was travelling at the time, or what the risk of derailment was?

Thoughts for the driver for what must have been a pretty stressful incident.

Edit for context: I was stuck and ended up getting a cab from Denham Golf Club, where I could see men in the distance with flashlights but it was very dark. The other information was provided by Chiltern via X.

So, apparently all but one cow was accounted for last night. They've just found the other one... Via the front of the 1837 Marylebone to Snow Hill. It's currently stopped while it's checked for damage.

 

[yellow52]

So, apparently all but one cow was accounted for last night. They've just found the other one... Via the front of the 1837 Marylebone to Snow Hill. It's currently stopped while it's checked for damage.

Came here to say the same. I’m on that train and we’re apparently coming out of service as the damage is more severe than first anticipated

 

[Dan G]

Pretty poor that between the farmer and Network Rail not all the animals were accounted for.

 

[Horizon22]

Pretty poor that between the farmer and Network Rail not all the animals were accounted for.

Apparently yesterday they knew that 1 or 2 cows were missing but they could not be located in the dark and the steep embankment in the area.

 

[yellow52]

Apparently yesterday they knew that 1 or 2 cows were missing but they could not be located in the dark and the steep embankment in the area.

There have been many hours of daylight since then though

 

[Horizon22]

There have been many hours of daylight since then though

True. It does seem to be a rather protacted incident.

 

[Dan G]

Apparently yesterday they knew that 1 or 2 cows were missing but they could not be located in the dark and the steep embankment in the area.

Quite. Did no-one think to look at first light? I guess we know the answer to that...

Anyone know what happened last night? If 1G55 can get to Gerrard's Cross, what would be the plan from there?

 

[i00I6h6N]

They were able to take us to GX fairly quickly last night - we were only sitting around for about 15 minutes, despite the train being too damaged to continue service. Hopefully the same for you.

The poor drivers. Totally reprehensible that between Network Rail and the farmer that they’ve managed to hit two cows in two days.

From GX - I was collected by car but I think it was make your own way home and be reimbursed otherwise. Apparently the platform staff were quite helpful.

 

[Dan G]

They were able to take us to GX fairly quickly last night - we were only sitting around for about 15 minutes, despite the train being too damaged to continue service. Hopefully the same for you.

The poor drivers. Totally reprehensible that between Network Rail and the farmer that they’ve managed to hit two cows in two days.

From GX - I was collected by car but I think it was make your own way home and be reimbursed otherwise. Apparently the platform staff were quite helpful.

Thank you

Train is proceeding to Gerrard's Cross with parts hanging off the underside

 

[LowLevel]

I'm aware what a cow looks like thankyou, I've seen one before. Your link is to a report of a train hitting 'a herd of cows' whereas the OP in this thread mentioned a single cow being struck which would give less chance of a derailment.



I believe the DBSO at Polmont struck a single cow, as per the Chiltern incident described by the OP in this thread, although derailment from hitting one animal is pretty rare.

Yesterday 2 cows were hit of around 15 loose, with one coming to rest on the bridge over the M25 and the other being sent down the embankment. This morning there were further reports of hitherto unlocated missing cows, and this evening 1G55 hit a further unaccounted for cow in the 4 foot at line speed causing significant damage.

If I was representing those drivers I'd be asking serious questions of Network Rail I think!