Report available at http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/120523_R072012_Kentish_Town.pdf
Makes for some interesting reading
Makes for some interesting reading
I can sort of see why you would want a diesel ETS generator on an EMU now.... if for no other reason than to keep the air con working in situations like this.
That said, diesel trains have the opposite problem (as yesterday with the FGW HST that hit the motorbike at Ufton Nervet) - if they stop in tunnels or confined spaces, or near other DMUs/diesel locos, fumes seeping into the coaches get unbearable.
Interestingly enough, high fume levels was being reported by some passangers on board a delay FGW HST yesterday via Twitter.
Lots of criticisms of the lack of support the driver received, paragraphs 126-130 in particular. Seems that having a guard on board would have helped, the driver could then have concentrated on rectifying the fault and arranging assistance and the guard on trying to keep the passengers happy.
I thought the biggest thing to take away from the report was that no one could be found to make a quick management decision. To me that screams reams about the type of organisation that they are working in if people are "afraid" to make a decision (ie. afraid of getting in trouble).
I imagine the previous problem was trying to detrain a packed commuter train onto a rush hour platform.
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Makes you weep that the might of the TOC and NR combined sat on their hands for three hours.......
You don't even have to read between the lines in that report to see that the driver has effectively become a scapegoat in this sad state of affairs..........the driver had retreated to the cab because of the level of abuse he was receiving and he's the one I feel the most sorry for...........
Also pretty amazing the decision to not kick the passengers off at St Pancras because of a previous incident where the station could not handle it? It's a brand new station and a key interchange, how could they fail so badly to design the station to handle a trainload of passengers leaving?
I imagine the previous problem was trying to detrain a packed commuter train onto a rush hour platform.
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In the mean time, surely bi-directional signalling was available to ensure one train at a time using the section to pass the failed train or use St Pancras International High Level, Blackfriars and City Thameslink to either terminate or hold services?