alexf380
Established Member
I was reading the latest update on thejunction.org and it said that 3 car sets are being formed by inserting 57209 & 57212 into other trains. I was wondering what has happened to these trains.
Ah, I see. Thanks anyway.
Yup.
If memory serves me correctly, one of these units hit a road vehicle on a crossing at Seamer in Yorkshire while the other jumped the tracks at St Helens and collided with a bridge.
I was reading the latest update on thejunction.org and it said that 3 car sets are being formed by inserting 57209 & 57212 into other trains. I was wondering what has happened to these trains.
It does look a bit odd that the snowplough has been left on, but just say for instance 52127 or 57127 had a fault, then the unit could still operate as a two car unit (if its the wrong end then 57209 would need turning round) and a snowplough wouldnt need refitting as its already there. Im sure its been left on for some kind of operational reason.
They aren't snowploughs. They are obstacle deflectors.
57209 newly painted and looking very smart, is now part of FGW's 150127 see here at Exeter St David's station on 9.2.2012 with a service for Paigton!
pity they couldn't get the coach numbers at the same height ...
When I was trained on the 15x fleet we were explicitly taught that they are not snowploughs due to their height from the rail. This was to avoid confusion when applying the regulations for working in snow with miniature ploughs. The plates fitted to 15x are not considered to be snowploughs for working in snow, they are obstacle deflectors and the units are not allowed in traffic as a leading end without them.
However, some Scottish region 156 and 158s are fitted with modified deflectors which are considered to be miniature snowploughs as demonstrated by the link.
When I was trained on the 15x fleet we were explicitly taught that they are not snowploughs due to their height from the rail. This was to avoid confusion when applying the regulations for working in snow with miniature ploughs. The plates fitted to 15x are not considered to be snowploughs for working in snow, they are obstacle deflectors and the units are not allowed in traffic as a leading end without them.
However, some Scottish region 156 and 158s are fitted with modified deflectors which are considered to be miniature snowploughs as demonstrated by the link.
Sorry old chap, but that just sounds like smoke and mirrors.
These plates as you call them would make lousy obstacle deflectors for the same reason you say they are not miniature snowploughs. They are just too high. Besides, the Cl15X units have the same obstacle deflectors that our EMUs have in the form of metal arms attached to the leading bogie that run just ahead of the leading wheelset, and we don't have these plates fitted to any of our units and can happily run at speeds up to 100mph.
No matter what you've been told I have to agree with the majority that these are indeed miniature ploughs. If your TOC has decided to call them something different in order that they wriggle out of running in difficult conditions then fair play to them and good luck.
However, if you look at the Rules there is only a 100mm window in which trains with miniature ploughs can run. Yes they can be authorised to run in snow depths up to 450mm if, but normally they would only be cleared to run in snow depths up to 300mm. Given that normal running can continue in depths up to 200mm the plates on a Cl15X unit don't have to be that close to the rail in order to provide sufficient snow clearance for normal running to continue.
O L Leigh