Severn tunnel emergency train

[BritishRail83]

Does this still exist? I remember there was a plan to use class 121 bubble cars a few years ago. I know a few were converted but never deployed? If it still exists is it still an 08 with coaches and a water tanker?

 

[krus_aragon]

I believe current evacuation plans involve the use of road-rail units.

There's a snippet of video footage from an exercise on Youtube.

 

[bolli]

I believe current evacuation plans involve the use of road-rail units.

There's a snippet of video footage from an exercise on Youtube.

Theres a specialist road rail fire engine based at caldicot fire station for this reason.

 

[D6975]

The review of rescue operations began after the accident of course. The bubble cars were converted and were stationed on the Welsh side for a while. It was only a temporary measure though. Road access was improved on both sides of the tunnel and the switch to ro-rail made. I'm not sure exactly how long the bubbles were there, but it must have been at least a couple of years.

 

[StripeyNick]

The bubbles replaced the 08 and associated stock but were only ever used for training in the end and were eventually taken to Cardiff Canton for storage a few years back.

Last year they were purchased by the Barry Tourist Railway with the view to using the two units to make one good one and convert it back into passenger use however, after assessment, it was decided to scrap that plan so they were put up for sale.

They were then purchased by the Eccelsbourne Valley Railway and were transported up there in the autumn. I think the plan now is similar to our plan in Barry but rather than converting one into passenger use, I think one is going to stay as a departmental vehicle with the other being used for spares.

Severn Tunnel bubbles at Barry. 9/7/14 by Nick Wilcock, on Flickr

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Wasn't 09027 a dedicated rescue loco for a while in the late 1980s?

 

[theageofthetra]

What is the maximum speed of road rail vehicles? The plant looks v.slow but would assume the fire engine and other rescue vehicles have a resonable speed. Given the length of the tunnel surely a min of 20-30mph would be needed?

 

[BestWestern]

It depends on the nature of the incident - crews are told that the 'Tunnel is the one place that if you have a fire, nobody will be coming down there to get you out. It's simply too dangerous, and probably rather futile by the time they've gotten to you. Similarly if the Sudbrook pumps were to stop (they won't), rumour/legend has it you probably won't make it to the other end before the place floods...

Other than that, a slow bimble on a road/railer is probably just fine!

 

[DarloRich]

It depends on the nature of the incident - crews are told that the 'Tunnel is the one place that if you have a fire, nobody will be coming down there to get you out. It's simply too dangerous, and probably rather futile by the time they've gotten to you. Similarly if the Sudbrook pumps were to stop (they won't), rumour/legend has it you probably won't make it to the other end before the place floods...

Other than that, a slow bimble on a road/railer is probably just fine!

those pumps shift a massive amount of water - around 10 million gallons! I can well believe if they stopped you wouldn't make it out! I belive that AMCO recently overhauled the 16 pumps

This link will show you details of the RRV fire engine: http://www.ontrackplant.com/road-railers/network-rail/193

 

[221129]

There are 3 Road Rail Fire appliances. One used by Avon F&RS at Avonmouth and 2 operated by South Wales F&RS at Caldicot and Malpas.

 

[DarloRich]

There are 3 Road Rail Fire appliances. One used by Avon F&RS at Avonmouth and 2 operated by South Wales F&RS at Caldicot and Malpas.

quite right. I have only had dealings with the "English" one! I think there are also some John Dere Gator type things

 

[BestWestern]

What exactly is on board these beasties?

 

[snowball]

those pumps shift a massive amount of water - around 10 million gallons!

Is that per millisecond or per millennium?

 

[nottsnurse]

Is that per millisecond or per millennium?

Per day. A quick Google was all it took.

The refurbished pumping system is a critical asset to Network Rail; it removes more than 10 million gallons of water every day to maintain the rail link between England and Wales for passenger and freight traffic.

Source= http://www.amco-construction.co.uk/project/12/Sudbrook-Pumping-Station

To add: I'm surprised they didn't quote the amount in that old reliable press release measure, Olympic Swimming Pools (which would be approximately 18, fact fans).

 

[DarloRich]

Is that per millisecond or per millennium?

dropped per day off the end! Apologies. Fat finger syndrome.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Per day. A quick Google was all it took.



Source= http://www.amco-construction.co.uk/project/12/Sudbrook-Pumping-Station

To add: I'm surprised they didn't quote the amount in that old reliable press release measure, Olympic Swimming Pools (which would be approximately 18, fact fans).

I didn't know it had gone on the AMCO web site. Would have been easier just to link that really!