Class 158/159 recovery following Salisbury collision

[reddragon]

Using the nylon strap seems a little "elastic" to me but I guess heavy duty chains are no longer HASAW approved. Seeing 59003 bounce on the end of the strap is a little unnerving but the guys on the ground are professionals and know what they are doing.

When I did serious off roading in Land Rovers a long elastic rope was used for recovery. It gave you both traction and momentum of the mass of the recovery vehicle to pull things out. I am surprised that they didn't give the 59 more of a run up at it but I suppose being around if the rope snapped! A small rope snapping and hitting a Land Rover was messy enough

 

[alxndr]

The wheelmarks dug into the track from the 59 on the second video are horrific.

It's a joke—they're not from this incident. Not even the same country by the looks of things.

 

[Wyrleybart]

The wheelmarks dug into the track from the 59 on the second video are horrific.

I suspect that those wheelmarks are from another video and added for effect. I am sure I have seen that image before - from the USA

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I suspect that those wheelmarks are from another video and added for effect. I am sure I have seen that image before - from the USA

I haven't seen the bit you are all talking about because it has been deleted, but from the way you're all talking about it... is it the famous image of rails almost completely worn through with spin?

 

[Crossover]

I did wonder why they used a train to pull another out of some wreckage rather than a crane or something

I would presume because it is pretty inaccessible for a crane and lifting it could damage the tunnel roof. Once it is out of the tunnel, life will be, at a guess, a lot easier

 

[hwl]

I haven't seen the bit you are all talking about because it has been deleted, but from the way you're all talking about it... is it the famous image of rails almost completely worn through with spin?

yep

 

[Ash Bridge]

There was a comment on Twitter suggesting that the class 59 had its creep-control disabled during this rescue attempt for fear that due to the extra traction there was a risk that the chains/ropes likely would have snapped had it been enabled, could anyone more knowledgeable advise on this please?

 

[Llanigraham]

Using the nylon strap seems a little "elastic" to me but I guess heavy duty chains are no longer HASAW approved. Seeing 59003 bounce on the end of the strap is a little unnerving but the guys on the ground are professionals and know what they are doing.

They are using a Kinetic Recovery Rope, which is designed to stretch and then shrink, thereby providing additional "pull". They are also safer if they get overloaded and break. Very common in many recovery situations nowadays.

 

[Trackman]

Given where it is (ie next to the welfare prefab and within the cordon, the owner/staff member is wearing a hi viz) it'll have been rented specifically for the staff.

It's FW catering, I've seen a Fish and Chips van on the railways too.
--
Going back on topic, I would have thought they would have winched it out with some massive land anchors or something.
Possible in this situation if you use too much force it could damage the tunnel lining.

 

[RPI]

I belive the second vehicle has now been craned out

 

[Suraggu]

I belive the second vehicle has now been craned out

That is indeed correct.

 

[FOCTOC]

There was a comment on Twitter suggesting that the class 59 had its creep-control disabled during this rescue attempt for fear that due to the extra traction there was a risk that the chains/ropes likely would have snapped had it been enabled, could anyone more knowledgeable advise on this please?

No, that is wibble.

 

[Signal Head]

The wheelmarks dug into the track from the 59 on the second video are horrific.

That image was doing the rounds on the Internet at least 10 years ago, maybe 15 or more. From memory it's CSX in the US.

 

[Crossover]

The Salisbury Journal are covering the recovery operation again

Latest news on London Road reopening and train crash site recovery efforts

Live updates from the recovery after the Salisbury Train Crash

www.salisburyjournal.co.uk

 

[Trackman]

Just read on Twitter they seemed to have moved the wedged unit, if it's clear or not is a different story.

The recovery is continuing today with the removal of more train carriages. As you can see we’ve had a real challenge dragging this one from the tunnel, but after several attempts it finally budged.

 

[357]

I wonder if theres anything healthy on that menu.

If there was, traditionally rail staff won't buy it

 

[VEP3417]

i did wonder about the elastic tow line but hadnt considered it might be better than a solid chain, as someone has said that could have snapped and most likely flung back into the 59 or in a random direction and looking at photos there is a group of workers quite near by

i suppose when we think of recovery we just think of brute force and a metal chain

 

[rebmcr]

Just read on Twitter they seemed to have moved the wedged unit, if it's clear or not is a different story.

Which Twitter, please?

 

[Trackman]

Which Twitter, please?

Network Rail Wessex
- found the link..

https://twitter.com/NetworkRailWssx/status/1456633256758104065?s=20

edit: The video is from yesterday (I think!)

 

[Towers]

I see the injury claims have started...

Screenshot from the Salisbury Journal page linked above:

(Image is a screenshot from the Salisbury Journal website page previously linked to up-thread, with text: Two Salisbury train crash victims are pursuing a personal injury claim. One of the Fieldfisher serious injury solicitors representing them, Jill Greenfield, said: "It may be that psychological injuries are much more serious for people trapped on a train thinking they might die.” )

 

[Gloster]

In the 1980s a Class 47 ran down an embankment and was recovered by quite a collection of its class mates, and a clever arrangement of steel cables. Was it 47 522 at Forteviot in July 1982?

On 31 October 1977 31 273 went through the end of the loop at Hanwell and down the embankment. It took six Class 47, including two on the Relief Lines to prevent them being pulled out of alignment, and a lot of Kelbus gear to get it back on the track.

EDIT: googling Kelbus gear and choosing images finds some photos.

 

[swt_passenger]

Just read on Twitter they seemed to have moved the wedged unit, if it's clear or not is a different story.

The local paper reported (at 1316) that it was craned out earlier this afternoon. Network Rail have since posted (at 1628) a photo of the 159 middle car on a low loader. Can’t link to the exact Twitter post, sorry.

NR also posted the third car is now ready to lift, presumably in daylight tomorrow morning.

 

[reddragon]

Network Rail Wessex
- found the link..

https://twitter.com/NetworkRailWssx/status/1456633256758104065?s=20

edit: The video is from yesterday (I think!)

No, the props have gone from the side of the coach and its moving

 

[swt_passenger]

Rear coach of the 158 is visible here, presumably the next lift tomorrow morning:

https://twitter.com/vickycahoy/status/1456677842851356672?t=-pRO-geO_N8jKC2ztDxKVw&s=19

It looks very much as though it was stopped by the tunnel portal?

 

[superalbs]

Rear coach of the 158 is visible here, presumably the next lift tomorrow morning:

https://twitter.com/vickycahoy/status/1456677842851356672?t=-pRO-geO_N8jKC2ztDxKVw&s=19

It looks very much as though it was stopped by the tunnel portal?

That looks really nasty...

 

[reddragon]

Rear coach of the 158 is visible here, presumably the next lift tomorrow morning:

https://twitter.com/vickycahoy/status/1456677842851356672?t=-pRO-geO_N8jKC2ztDxKVw&s=19

It looks very much as though it was stopped by the tunnel portal?

The end of the coach is badly twisted from hitting the tunnel portal. I did notice that the roof looked bent in earlier pics.

Did you also notice that the crossing has been replaced by plain line?

Maybe to save it and until after the coaches have been dragged out then put it back so it doesn't get damaged?

 

[AndyPJG]

Did you also notice that the crossing has been replaced by plain line?

Maybe to save it and until after the coaches have been dragged out then put it back so it doesn't get damaged?

Or with RAIB for evidence / analysis maybe?

 

[swt_passenger]

The end of the coach is badly twisted from hitting the tunnel portal. I did notice that the roof looked bent in earlier pics.

Did you also notice that the crossing has been replaced by plain line?

Maybe to save it and until after the coaches have been dragged out then put it back so it doesn't get damaged?

Yes. the roof does look bent, IMHO that will probably mean it’s written off.

Regarding the crossing, I did notice but not sure why it was removed, perhaps it was already damaged?

 

[RPI]

Ouch, that looks nasty!

 

[reddragon]

Yes. the roof does look bent, IMHO that will probably mean it’s written off.

Regarding the crossing, I did notice but not sure why it was removed, perhaps it was already damaged?

The collision was past the crossing so no.