How would passengers be rescued in this situation?

[wintonian]

This one's easy. Thunderbird 2 with Pod 5!

Not Quantum teleportation then?

 

[Roverman]

Wait patienly until another engine / train arrives!!
A friend was stuck for 6 hrs+ on the M6 yesterday because of a bad accident.

That was absolutely farcical. M6 had been closed North of the accident so they could have easily escorted vehicles off via the slip road at the last junction, ok the first lot of vehicles might have had to reverse down but Highways Officers could have acted as banksmen. There is no reason at all why people not involved in the incident had to sit there in freezing temps for 6 hours, what would they have done if someone died?

 

[LE Greys]

I don't know I could think of a good few miles of the Far North Line that would qualify - and no getting a boat in there either.

The glaringly obvious one is the Severn Tunnel. It may be double-track, but if something catches fire down there (the worst possible situation) it clearly wouldn't be safe to approach and there is no convenient service tunnel to escape to. IIRC, there used to be a special rescue train kept at Severn Tunnel Junction with fire-fighting equipment and a means to get passengers out speedily. Not sure if that's still the case.

 

[158747]

I believe the local fire service now has a special road/rail vehicle for use in the Severn Tunnel in case of emergency.

 

[DarloRich]

I believe the local fire service now has a special road/rail vehicle for use in the Severn Tunnel in case of emergency.

here it is : http://www.fire-engine-photos.com/picture/number31164.asp

supported bythis beast: http://www.fire-engine-photos.com/picture/number33294.asp

 

[D1009]

Offer them free refreshments if facilities exist to do so.

Of course there are, from the pub!!

 

[Cliveblackpool]

Of course there are, from the pub!!

Sods Law it would be closed!!! (Winter)
Looks like a fair walk along unlit paths.
Now if they had facilities onboard to make a brew..

 

[W230]

The glaringly obvious one is the Severn Tunnel. It may be double-track, but if something catches fire down there (the worst possible situation) it clearly wouldn't be safe to approach and there is no convenient service tunnel to escape to. IIRC, there used to be a special rescue train kept at Severn Tunnel Junction with fire-fighting equipment and a means to get passengers out speedily. Not sure if that's still the case.

Due to the obvious difficulties in that scenario, the driver would (if possible), most likely continue with the train until they had exited the tunnel.

 

[Jim_]

I did hear a story once (possibly apocryphal) of a late night Norwich to Yarmouth train failing and the depot staff having to drive up the Acle straight with a strong torch trying to find it.

 

[LE Greys]

here it is : http://www.fire-engine-photos.com/picture/number31164.asp

supported bythis beast: http://www.fire-engine-photos.com/picture/number33294.asp

Very interesting, thanks.

I've found an image of the rescue train, which looks active at the time. Not sure when it was taken.

http://www.departmentals.com/photo/977975

 

[Garmoran]

...that must be reachable in some form or another for track/ signal maintenance or re-fencing etc.

Network Rail road-railers seem to get everywhere on the West Highland for such purposes...

 

[marks87]

What about breaking down near Altnabreac?

Miles from anywhere, and three hours from Inverness for a rescue. Could get a bit chilly in the middle of winter...

 

[tsr]

What about breaking down near Altnabreac?

Miles from anywhere, and three hours from Inverness for a rescue. Could get a bit chilly in the middle of winter...

I think it's true that this would be a bit of a challenge - and a breakdown at several of the stations on that line might lead you to be in a similar predicament. Other remote Scottish locations such as Corrour might also be a bit problematic.

I suppose the only consolation is that the unit involved might be able to be shoved out of the way into the siding there (depending on the severity of the breakdown), so another one could run the full length of the route until the broken down one could be fixed or towed all the way back.

How long would it take for a train to run fast from Inverness to Altnabreac (not the sort of thing you see every day!) at linespeed? Would it actually be 3 hours, or slightly under that?

 

[O L Leigh]

What about breaking down near Altnabreac?

Miles from anywhere, and three hours from Inverness for a rescue. Could get a bit chilly in the middle of winter...

Click.

O L Leigh

 

[tsr]

Click.

O L Leigh

I think the point here is the time that it would take to get a rescue sorted.

The technical method may be the same as it would be anywhere else, but if (in this highly unlikely example) you had a train stranded here on a freezing winter's evening with deteriorating heating and lighting for the passengers and a tree stuck in the bogie... you'd be hard-pressed to keep people comfortable and get things fixed quickly.

In addition, what about waiting passengers? Again, this is seriously unlikely. However, Altnabreac is very high on my list of "Remote and/or generally desolate stations at which I would not enjoy being stranded in winter without camping equipment and thermal clothing".

 

[O L Leigh]

Are there any trees up at Altnabreac...?

Joking aside, the chances are that the next train along would provide the assistance, even if it comes from the "wrong" direction, so the wait may not be as long as you suggest. But the chances are that the circumstances you describe are highly unlikely.

One of the advantages of DMUs are that each car is effectively self-contained. Even if one car is in the ditch, if the second car is the right way up there is a very good chance that it can still run to provide heat and light. If things really are as bad as you suggest, it's below freezing, there is no heat and light and no prospect of an assisting train, I would imagine that alternative arrangements would be made, even if it means coming via an RAF search and rescue helicopter.

O L Leigh

 

[tsr]

Are there any trees up at Altnabreac...?

Joking aside, the chances are that the next train along would provide the assistance, even if it comes from the "wrong" direction, so the wait may not be as long as you suggest. But the chances are that the circumstances you describe are highly unlikely.

One of the advantages of DMUs are that each car is effectively self-contained. Even if one car is in the ditch, if the second car is the right way up there is a very good chance that it can still run to provide heat and light. If things really are as bad as you suggest, it's below freezing, there is no heat and light and no prospect of an assisting train, I would imagine that alternative arrangements would be made, even if it means coming via an RAF search and rescue helicopter.

O L Leigh

I just had a look at Panoramio, which showed that my suspicions of trees near Altnabreac are correct ...it's actually in an area heavily used by the Forestry Commission.

What you have said does detail the most predictable options

 

[John55]

I think the point here is the time that it would take to get a rescue sorted.

The technical method may be the same as it would be anywhere else, but if (in this highly unlikely example) you had a train stranded here on a freezing winter's evening with deteriorating heating and lighting for the passengers and a tree stuck in the bogie... you'd be hard-pressed to keep people comfortable and get things fixed quickly.

In addition, what about waiting passengers? Again, this is seriously unlikely. However, Altnabreac is very high on my list of "Remote and/or generally desolate stations at which I would not enjoy being stranded in winter without camping equipment and thermal clothing".

How long were the passengers trapped on the train stuck in the cutting between St Pancras and Kentish Town a couple of years ago? Remote location appears to be irrelevant as to how long passengers are trapped on board.

 

[O L Leigh]

Kentish Town was a LOT more complicated, primarily because the passengers took matters into their own hands making it difficult for the traincrew and outside assistance to deal with the stranding.

But that incident (together with other similar ones) got discussed at great length at the time, so I don't propose we revisit that particular topic.

O L Leigh