What if a passenger train breaks down

[34D]

Cause was identified as a dead pigeon jammed in a semaphore. Luckily marksmen were on hand.

If it was already dead, why we're marksmen needed?

 

[Lockwood]

Just out of interest do drivers receive any training to try and get their trusty steeds running again? For obvious reasons I'm considering diesel loco's and DMU's here. I'm just thinking that on somewhere like the S & C where a rescue loco is several hours away it might be worth trying to restart a loco / DMU rather than declaring it a failure on the windswept fells!

There are videos on YouTube showing how to fix a broken 455, and it looks like it is aimed at drivers.

 

[edwin_m]

Just out of interest do drivers receive any training to try and get their trusty steeds running again? For obvious reasons I'm considering diesel loco's and DMU's here. I'm just thinking that on somewhere like the S & C where a rescue loco is several hours away it might be worth trying to restart a loco / DMU rather than declaring it a failure on the windswept fells!

Yes drivers get training in basic fault-finding and most TOCs provide a "phone a friend" facility so they can get more expert advice. It's one reason crews have to be trained individually in each kind of traction they use.

 

[Crossover]

Just out of interest do drivers receive any training to try and get their trusty steeds running again?

I'm sure in the case of Northern that involves a company issue hammer and boot
(Actually, on a serious note, I have seen a boot be used to try fix a Pacer door before!)

I think some of the more modern units are somewhat self diagnosing and can give step by step details of what to do to fix - or I guess depots can probably "dial-in" to some of them remotely too

 

[455driver]

(Actually, on a serious note, I have seen a boot be used to try fix a Pacer door before!)

It also works on 455s doors as well!

 

[jon91]

I've lost count of the number of times I've seen a Northern guard giving a Pacer door a bit of encouragement to stay shut, normally a gentle shove with the hand or a boot.

 

[DJL]

It also works on 455s doors as well!

I've also seen it used on a bus many years ago

 

[tsr]

The average malfunctioning Networker door can occasionally be fixed with a sharp prod of an umbrella and then wiggling bits of the mechanisms in a generally irritable manner. Waving one's hands around and muttering at the same time has no ill-effects. Gentle prodding is usually less effective as it seems to make everything even more broken. This is all from experience...

 

[causton]

I've also seen it used on a bus many years ago

Although many buses don't have door interlock like trains (let's not get that HST argument involved in this thread ) so when it last happened, the driver just let the door stay open!

The average malfunctioning Networker door can occasionally be fixed with a sharp prod of an umbrella and then wiggling bits of the mechanisms in a generally irritable manner. Waving one's hands around and muttering at the same time has no ill-effects. Gentle prodding is usually less effective as it seems to make everything even more broken. This is all from experience...

One time I fixed a Networker door by pressing the open button! the doors were just going from 1/4 open to 3/4 open and cycling back and forth after someone pressed the Close button as they left, don't know if that had anything to do with it but there was certainly nothing stuck in it. The doors started closing then the hustle alarm sounded as the driver had pressed the close doors button, this seemed to stop the doors closing, or re-opening. Very odd!

 

[Kristofferson]

Just out of interest do drivers receive any training to try and get their trusty steeds running again? For obvious reasons I'm considering diesel loco's and DMU's here. I'm just thinking that on somewhere like the S & C where a rescue loco is several hours away it might be worth trying to restart a loco / DMU rather than declaring it a failure on the windswept fells!

I think with modern EMUs the instructions state "switch it off then back on again!" - certainly seemed to be the case when the 390 I was aboard suddenly stopped in the tunnels outside New Street and the power went off - it seemed to just reboot and we were on our way!

 

[tra1nsp0tter]

With regards to people 'self evacuating' the train, wasn't there an incident a few years ago, where a passenger evacuated himself from a HST that was on fire,& got struck by a train going the opposite way?...

I cant remember where & when this happened though , but I remember reading about it somewhere.

Personally, I would stay on the train until instructed to get off by the appropriate member of railway staff.

but, that is just my opinion.

 

[scotsman]

Personally, I would stay on the train until instructed to get off by the appropriate member of railway staff.

but, that is just my opinion.

I wouldn't wait for an instruction if there were flames coming toward my backside

 

[Clip]

I wouldn't wait for an instruction if there were flames coming toward my backside

If that ever happens at least get off where there is no running rails yeah

 

[Mojo]

If it was already dead, why we're marksmen needed?

Because the pigeon was what caused the signal arm to get stuck. The marksman shot the dead bird causing it to fall allowing the signal to move.

 

[edwin_m]

With regards to people 'self evacuating' the train, wasn't there an incident a few years ago, where a passenger evacuated himself from a HST that was on fire,& got struck by a train going the opposite way?...

I cant remember where & when this happened though , but I remember reading about it somewhere.

Personally, I would stay on the train until instructed to get off by the appropriate member of railway staff.

but, that is just my opinion.

Maidenhead. HST fuel tank fell off and soaked part of the train in diesel which then caught fire. Even in that accident it was probably safer to remain on board, as it usually is and hence why the safety cards say evacuating the train is a last resort.

 

[TEW]

From what I remember those who did self-evacuate jumped out on the track side rather than the cess side, you'd have common sense would suggest if you're going to jump out of a train you do it away from the other running lines.

 

[Muzer]

Although many buses don't have door interlock like trains (let's not get that HST argument involved in this thread ) so when it last happened, the driver just let the door stay open!



One time I fixed a Networker door by pressing the open button! the doors were just going from 1/4 open to 3/4 open and cycling back and forth after someone pressed the Close button as they left, don't know if that had anything to do with it but there was certainly nothing stuck in it. The doors started closing then the hustle alarm sounded as the driver had pressed the close doors button, this seemed to stop the doors closing, or re-opening. Very odd!

Was on a 150 at Rochdale. We kept trying to close the door because it was chilly - pressed the close button, the door took a long time to close, then closed so quickly it bounced back and opened again. This happened every time.

However, when the guard closed the doors, it worked fine.

 

[island]

From what I remember those who did self-evacuate jumped out on the track side rather than the cess side, you'd have common sense would suggest if you're going to jump out of a train you do it away from the other running lines.

What if it's quad-track and you're on a centre line?

 

[Lockwood]

Then aim to cross only one track not two?

 

[Yew]

What if it's quad-track and you're on a centre line?

Whichever one has better visibility?

 

[bolli]

With regards to people 'self evacuating' the train, wasn't there an incident a few years ago, where a passenger evacuated himself from a HST that was on fire,& got struck by a train going the opposite way?...

http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/HSE_Maidenhead1995.pdf

 

[merry]

Just out of interest do drivers receive any training to try and get their trusty steeds running again?

A couple of years ago I was on a Hope Valley express from Sheffield to Manchester on a freezing, foggy January morning. A little short of Edale we came to a stand, then crept up to the box (where the signaller had to lean out of the nice double-glazed windows - brr! - only box I've ever seen with UPC glazing, but reasonable given the location!).
Anyway, the horn had gone from a loud Hooot! to a weedy little squeak. The driver & guard detriined and tried to fix the problem, which turned out to be an iced up horn (due to the freezing fog) by application of 'percussive maintenance' with some kind of metal tool. This was to no effect so we proceeded through the tunnel to Chinley at 20mph where thank goodness the weather was warmer and the horn defrosted the 'natural' way. So yes, drivers do try to fix their trains - not always with effect - but 10/10 for trying with the tools to hand.

 

[edwin_m]

For information, most of the surviving boxes (at least in the north west) have had UPVC windows in the last decade or so, many in a way that totally spoils there appearance.

 

[Crossover]

I think with modern EMUs the instructions state "switch it off then back on again!" - certainly seemed to be the case when the 390 I was aboard suddenly stopped in the tunnels outside New Street and the power went off - it seemed to just reboot and we were on our way!

It is a computer so if in doubt, restart :P

I had one a few years ago (posted numerous times on here as it was 390010 Decade of Progress!!!) where the PA system failed between Rugby and Coventry. At Coventry the entire unit was shut down and rebooted and we were on our way within about 10 mins

 

[tra1nsp0tter]

http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/HSE_Maidenhead1995.pdf

That's the one, Thank You Bolli I could not remember where I had read that..