Damaged Azuma being hauled by a Class 67 at Ranskill (19/10)

[ryan125hst]

I caught the 10:49 from Retford to York this morning. Having accelerated out of Retford, we soon started to slow down again. I then noticed that we were on the down loop at Ranskill. I thought we were allowing a late running express to overtake, but then saw an Azuma (9 car I think) with a Class 67 attached on the fast line.

Does anyone know what was going on? The Azuma looked empty so it can't have recently failed, so i'm assuming either being returned to the depot after an earlier failure or a test run?

 

[1D53]

Failed after being involved in a fatality last night. Has some serious damage.

 

[LowLevel]

It can only be moved at 5 mph top and tailed by 2 class 67s. Consequently it's waiting till after the last service tonight to be tripped to Doncaster.

 

[800001]

I caught the 10:49 from Retford to York this morning. Having accelerated out of Retford, we soon started to slow down again. I then noticed that we were on the down loop at Ranskill. I thought we were allowing a late running express to overtake, but then saw an Azuma (9 car I think) with a Class 67 attached on the fast line.

Does anyone know what was going on? The Azuma looked empty so it can't have recently failed, so i'm assuming either being returned to the depot after an earlier failure or a test run?

Last nights 1N34 (2100 Kings Cross - Newcastle). Customers were evacuated onto 1n35, past York at 0520 this morning.

As post above me too a, trains has suffered some serious damage which has made it impossible to be moved last night, either by thunderbird or by another Azuma whixh attempted to rescue the train.

Can imagine there will be some very serious conversations goong on after this between Network Rail, Lner and Hitachi, over how a fatality can cause such damage.

If the train had stopped one signal earlier or later, the disruption today on Ecml would of been immense.

 

[800001]

It can only be moved at 5 mph top and tailed by 2 class 67s. Consequently it's waiting till after the last service tonight to be tripped to Doncaster.

As a result of Bounds Green Thunder Bird is on scene, the Bounds Green TBird is currently a 91

 

[Failed Unit]

Last nights 1N34 (2100 Kings Cross - Newcastle). Customers were evacuated onto 1n35, past York at 0520 this morning.

As post above me too a, trains has suffered some serious damage which has made it impossible to be moved last night, either by thunderbird or by another Azuma whixh attempted to rescue the train.

Can imagine there will be some very serious conversations goong on after this between Network Rail, Lner and Hitachi, over how a fatality can cause such damage.

If the train had stopped one signal earlier or later, the disruption today on Ecml would of been immense.

Must admit that is a concern. Sadly it isn’t going to be the last thing these trains hit. Animals are a lot bigger and heavier as well.

 

[Bayum]

Anyone know the nature of the ‘serious damage’?

 

[trainmananthon]

Anyone know the nature of the ‘serious damage’?

Damaged nose cone, fractured air pipes, damaged underfloor electronics and damaged pantograph. Possibly more but that’s what I’ve heard so far.

 

[Keithheller]

Far too much plastic involved!

 

[FQTV]

Now that we know why a Thunderbird was attached, I’d like to observe that:

A person died.

If you like to speak to someone, talk to your friends first. They will help. If you’re not sure that they will, talk to The Sams: https://www.samaritans.org

If you appreciate that there are folks that you don’t know but who are unsure of themselves, and if you’d like to lend some support, click the above link and/or: https://www.thecalmzone.net

I don’t know of a link that assists others involved; the driver, probably the guard; the police and paramedics, and station staff.

Perhaps others can suggest opportunities in that regard.

 

[ryan125hst]

Having heard about the fatality on Friday I feared that would be the case.

There has seems to have been several fatalities on the ECML in the last couple of weeks which is very sad indeed. My thoughts are with everyone affected.

Regarding the Azuma, it is concerning that such an incident should damage the train so seriously.

 

[GB]

Regarding the Azuma, it is concerning that such an incident should damage the train so seriously.

Wait till the new GA units enter full service....the coupling components under the cab seem hugely exposed.

 

[LOL The Irony]

How could the pantograph get damaged in a fatality?

 

[DarloRich]

How could the pantograph get damaged in a fatality?

I am not sure we need to get into specific details but it seems obvious to me.

 

[LOL The Irony]

I am not sure we need to get into specific details but it seems obvious to me.

Well it must be a crap design then. I've only heard of pantographs coming off in collisions with other vehicles or derailments.

 

[800001]

Well it must be a crap design then. I've only heard of pantographs coming off in collisions with other vehicles or derailments.

Who said the Pantograph came off?
Multiple ways it could be damaged due to impact damage.
But as Darlo Rich says, it's seems pretty obvious how the damage could occur.

 

[trainmananthon]

The pantograph didn’t come off. It suffered damage due to quite frankly obvious reasons.

 

[GB]

The pantograph wasn’t damaged. It simply developed a fault. That said, during a high energy impact it’s quite possible to have debris roll over the top of a cab and strike the pantograph.

 

[noddingdonkey]

As a result of Bounds Green Thunder Bird is on scene, the Bounds Green TBird is currently a 91

I thought one of the duties of TBird loco was assisting stranded electric trains if the OHLE fails?

 

[TheEdge]

Wait till the new GA units enter full service....the coupling components under the cab seem hugely exposed.

No more exposed than the air pipes and electrical kit on a BSI or any other autocoupler.

 

[superjohn]

I thought one of the duties of TBird loco was assisting stranded electric trains if the OHLE fails?

It is, but if the dedicated Thunderbird is in use rescuing the damaged Azuma a class 91 is better than nothing.

 

[221129]

All these posts about how its concerning that an azuma could be damaged so easily. So can any train! I'm aware of a HST being disabled by a pheasant. A person at high speed at an awkward angle can do significant damage to any train. And in the past has... so let's stop the anti Azuma nonsense shall we?

 

[GB]

No more exposed than the air pipes and electrical kit on a BSI or any other autocoupler.

The space between the coupling and the body seem a lot bigger than previous stock and extends right the way through under the cab.

While certain things are exposed on other types there seems more chance of objects being deflected.

 

[221129]

The space between the coupling and the body seem a lot bigger than previous stock and extends right the way through under the cab.

While certain things are exposed on other types there seems more chance of objects being deflected.

They look not much worse than a Voyager in that respect IMO.

 

[TheEdge]

The space between the coupling and the body seem a lot bigger than previous stock and extends right the way through under the cab.

While certain things are exposed on other types there seems more chance of objects being deflected.

Yes, there is space behind the coupler but there is not a huge amount of stuff there. From memory (I've not looked under one for a few weeks and didn't pay much attention to this) the actual piping and cabling is within the coupler bar, not hanging loose.

When trains get immobilised by impacts its more often than not the coupler head itself that's been damaged rather than things further behind it. And by its very nature the head is one of the most exposed parts of a train.

 

[M60lad]

Considering the amount of damage done am I right are these trains still under warranty and if so where will this Azuma go to be fixed?

 

[Pete_uk]

Dare I ask how long it took to get the passengers off??

 

[37057]

Wait till the new GA units enter full service....the coupling components under the cab seem hugely exposed.

From my experience (seen a fair few trains post-fatality), trains with exposed structure & auto-couplers tend to be less problematic in your average fatality as there's no fibre glass nose cone to deal with - which can actually cause damage to other components when impacted. Bodily remains can also find their way into unclean-able areas inside nose cones, so if they have to come off for repair there can be some nasty surprises inside.

 

[37057]

Considering the amount of damage done am I right are these trains still under warranty and if so where will this Azuma go to be fixed?

Network Rail will get the bill no doubt.

 

[ainsworth74]

Dare I ask how long it took to get the passengers off??

As per a post earlier in this thread:

Last nights 1N34 (2100 Kings Cross - Newcastle). Customers were evacuated onto 1n35, past York at 0520 this morning.