Stopping at Unlit Stations

[nr758123]

What are the rules regarding trains stopping at unlit platforms?

I ask because several trains have missed out Marsden this evening, eastbound, because the platform lighting on platform 1 isn't working.

Yet the lights haven't been working for several weeks now, so it's not obvious what has changed between yesterday and today which means that trains can't stop after dark.

 

[Bletchleyite]

You'd think NR would have a few 110V gennies and festoons they could stick up for cases like this.

 

[Killingworth]

Good question. TPE introduced a 5.15 stop at Dore & Totley for the first time today but it seems nobody told Northern to turn the lights on.

Two huddles waiting, one around the light from the TVM and the other by the Amazon locker!

Northern are now aware and presumably will fix the timers.

 

[Llama]

If it's anything like the lights on stations on the Styal line which got later stopping services last May, don't hold your breath.

 

[Aictos]

As I understand and drivers please correct me but when a driver of service first reports lighting not working at a platform they are meant to keep the train in the platform long enough to allow passengers to get on/off safely using the lighting from the train as well as report it to the signaller?

After which it’s the responsibility of the nearest hub station to ensure emergency lighting is in place until a engineer can be on site?

 

[Llama]

As far as I know there's nothing specific these days but when I was trained I remember being told that the train shouldn't leave the station platform until all passengers were clear of it.

 

[Bletchleyite]

As far as I know there's nothing specific these days but when I was trained I remember being told that the train shouldn't leave the station platform until all passengers were clear of it.

I'd imagine the risk varies massively based on what other lighting is around (e.g. street lighting), whether it's a clear night with a full moon, what hazards exist on the platforms and access to them, whether the train lights will light up a safe path to the exit etc.

It's probably also worth taking into account that pretty much everyone now carries a torch on their phone - this was not the case 20 years ago.

 

[randyrippley]

When Lancaster was flooded and lost power for several days in December 2015 after Storm Desmond, trains were allowed to stop in daylight hours only. From memory they had a 4pm cutoff. Was a bit of a pain because for a couple of days Carlisle bridge was the only bridge open between Lancaster and Morecambe - the road bridges were both closed

 

[noddingdonkey]

The particularly rickety steps up and down from the platform probably play a part in this decision

 

[BJames]

Lighting problem at Dormans tonight as well. No trains stopping at the moment.

 

[LowLevel]

It depends a lot on location. Trains with guards can continue to call at most locations and they assist passengers as required. Some stations have specific reasons for not to call being implemented, long driveways, bridges etc or to avoid excessive delay from the guard walking people out.

Driver only operated services generally don't call as the cameras require a certain lighting level to work for dispatch.

 

[Bletchleyite]

When Lancaster was flooded and lost power for several days in December 2015 after Storm Desmond, trains were allowed to stop in daylight hours only. From memory they had a 4pm cutoff. Was a bit of a pain because for a couple of days Carlisle bridge was the only bridge open between Lancaster and Morecambe - the road bridges were both closed

As I noted above, in that case I was similarly surprised Network Rail don't have some trailer gennies and 110V festoons to solve that specific problem.

 

[randyrippley]

As I noted above, in that case I was similarly surprised Network Rail don't have some trailer gennies and 110V festoons to solve that specific problem.

in BR days they would have used an old loco as a genny - anyone remember the Blue Pullman power car at Temple Meads during the miners strike?

 

[southern442]

We should count ourselves lucky - take a look at this video of Kiev (typical of Ukrainian suburbs it seems)

completely unlit stations in some cases!

 

[Aictos]

Driver only operated services generally don't call as the cameras require a certain lighting level to work for dispatch.

Some locations just have mirrors so guess the same applies, I can think of a number of locations that don't have cameras but have mirrors instead.

 

[Cameron Bowden]

Just stopped at swanley which is currently closed due to power failure, doors opened and at least one person got off into the darkness. I wouldn’t have fancied it much myself!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Just stopped at swanley which is currently closed due to power failure, doors opened and at least one person got off into the darkness. I wouldn’t have fancied it much myself!

Not got a torch on your phone?

 

[Ashley Hill]

There was a short lived instruction in Regional Railways days in my area where trains were not allowed to stop if the station lights had failed. This was then changed to guards had to escort passengers off the station,then that was changed to not leaving until the passengers had left so the train lights lit the platform. Of coarse that is ok for small stations. Bigger stations nowadays would probably be shut.

 

[Elecman]

Why would NR supply generators for non managed station power failure? That is the TOCs responsibility.

 

[jon0844]

Not got a torch on your phone?

Some LEDs on phones are incredibly weak, or have a very poor spread, making them pretty poor as torches. I used to carry a small torch but now use whatever phone(s) I may be carrying, and to be honest I think I should go back to carrying a torch.

They're fine for looking for something in the dark at home, but not when out and about.

You can get some really powerful torches that are still small and light, with exceptional battery life and adjustable beams.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Why would NR supply generators for non managed station power failure? That is the TOCs responsibility.

Because it's something that isn't needed often so a central "known good" emergency resource would make sense even if the TOC had to pay to hire it.

 

[Llanigraham]

Because it's something that isn't needed often so a central "known good" emergency resource would make sense even if the TOC had to pay to hire it.

Probably quicker for the ToC (or NR) to go to the local hire shop anyway.
The problem with a "central resource" is you then need staff to be available with the required expertise and the neccessary transport to get these things done.
And where do you define "central"??

 

[Elecman]

NR has a supply of emergency generators and a call off contract for standby generators, there is nothing stopping a TOC doing the same thing.