notverydeep
Member
- Joined
- 9 Feb 2014
- Messages
- 888
Does anyone on the forum know what guidance is given to the National Rail drivers of diverted trains about whether they should exercise caution passing crowded platforms?
I ask, because this morning, while waiting at Welwyn Garden City for a train delayed by the person under a train at Hatfield this morning, I observed 1A06 the late running 0640 Leeds – King’s Cross formed of a VTEC HST come through platform 2 (the up slow line) rather than its normal route on the up fast line (which does not have a platform at Welwyn Garden City). The train was powering and passed at what appeared to be near the line speed, which I understand to be 75 mph. The platform was crowded with passengers waiting for 2T93 07:20 Cambridge North to King’s Cross which was at the time showing an estimated time of only a couple of minutes after 1A06 passed (although in the event it would be another 10 minutes or so before it did arrive). The driver of 1A06 did not sound their horn at any stage approaching or passing the crowded platform.
1A06 was followed in quick succession by GTR’s 1T11 0651 Kings Lynn / Ely – Kings Cross (387s) and then VTEC 1Y05 0525 Newcastle – Kings Cross (Class 91 and Mark IVs). Both of these trains passed at a lower speed (I would say between 40 and 50 mph) and both drivers gave a long blast on the horn approaching the platform. Although I have seen non stopping trains (including VTEC) trains diverted to the up slow at Welwyn Garden City, it is infrequent and almost all sound their horn approaching the platform. In 11 years of commuting, I had never previously seen one pass at what I would judge to have been the 75 mph line speed, let alone do so when the platform was crowded.
Many of the waiting passengers, mostly regular commuters were, visibly taken aback by 1A06’s speed and many moved back as the front of the train reached them, although certainly those near me where already behind the yellow line. The Passenger Information System at Welwyn Garden City does run a “stand clear of the platform edge, the next train is not scheduled to stop at this station” in this situation and did in this case, but this seems a rather inadequate warning for such a passing speed, where this is a pretty unusual occurrence. Welwyn Garden City does not have the yellow, “High Speed Trains pass this platform…” signs that you see at locations where this is a frequent occurrence.
Having read several RAIB reports in recent years, highlighting the risk of turbulence from trains, even travelling at lower speeds, to passengers push chair and wheel chair users such as this report https://www.gov.uk/government/news/report-012017-wheelchair-contacting-a-train-at-twyford-station, this seems to me to have been a dangerous occurrence, although I accept it may well be within what is permitted. Even if so, given that the information system suggesting until shortly before 1A06’s passage that the passengers on the platform could reasonably expect the next service to be their train slowing to a stand, it does seem to me that passengers were not adequately prompted that the platform edge risk was greater in this situation and they should take action to make sure they were well clear and that drivers of diverted trains should be instructed to use their horns liberally in such a situation...
I ask, because this morning, while waiting at Welwyn Garden City for a train delayed by the person under a train at Hatfield this morning, I observed 1A06 the late running 0640 Leeds – King’s Cross formed of a VTEC HST come through platform 2 (the up slow line) rather than its normal route on the up fast line (which does not have a platform at Welwyn Garden City). The train was powering and passed at what appeared to be near the line speed, which I understand to be 75 mph. The platform was crowded with passengers waiting for 2T93 07:20 Cambridge North to King’s Cross which was at the time showing an estimated time of only a couple of minutes after 1A06 passed (although in the event it would be another 10 minutes or so before it did arrive). The driver of 1A06 did not sound their horn at any stage approaching or passing the crowded platform.
1A06 was followed in quick succession by GTR’s 1T11 0651 Kings Lynn / Ely – Kings Cross (387s) and then VTEC 1Y05 0525 Newcastle – Kings Cross (Class 91 and Mark IVs). Both of these trains passed at a lower speed (I would say between 40 and 50 mph) and both drivers gave a long blast on the horn approaching the platform. Although I have seen non stopping trains (including VTEC) trains diverted to the up slow at Welwyn Garden City, it is infrequent and almost all sound their horn approaching the platform. In 11 years of commuting, I had never previously seen one pass at what I would judge to have been the 75 mph line speed, let alone do so when the platform was crowded.
Many of the waiting passengers, mostly regular commuters were, visibly taken aback by 1A06’s speed and many moved back as the front of the train reached them, although certainly those near me where already behind the yellow line. The Passenger Information System at Welwyn Garden City does run a “stand clear of the platform edge, the next train is not scheduled to stop at this station” in this situation and did in this case, but this seems a rather inadequate warning for such a passing speed, where this is a pretty unusual occurrence. Welwyn Garden City does not have the yellow, “High Speed Trains pass this platform…” signs that you see at locations where this is a frequent occurrence.
Having read several RAIB reports in recent years, highlighting the risk of turbulence from trains, even travelling at lower speeds, to passengers push chair and wheel chair users such as this report https://www.gov.uk/government/news/report-012017-wheelchair-contacting-a-train-at-twyford-station, this seems to me to have been a dangerous occurrence, although I accept it may well be within what is permitted. Even if so, given that the information system suggesting until shortly before 1A06’s passage that the passengers on the platform could reasonably expect the next service to be their train slowing to a stand, it does seem to me that passengers were not adequately prompted that the platform edge risk was greater in this situation and they should take action to make sure they were well clear and that drivers of diverted trains should be instructed to use their horns liberally in such a situation...