Class 144 Catches Fire

[Manchester77]

Around 100 commuters had to be evacuated from a train after it caught fire.

The Leeds-bound Northern Rail train ground to a halt around Clegg Hall in Wardle after passengers began to see smoke coming from below the carriage at around 3.30pm on Thursday.

The fire caused the line to be shut as fire crews and police officers rushed to extinguish the blaze last night. No one was hurt.

For those who can't see the image on the MEN site:


Full article here: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...mmuters-evacuated-train-after-catches-6329310

I suspect we'll see more on the North West news tonight as well as flood of comments on here with people calling for every pacer to be scrapped now(!)

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Hmmm. Class 144 in '143-syndrome' shock!

Seriously though, glad that no-one's been hurt in this. If there's anything Northern didn't need it's losing another DMU! :roll:

 

[Manchester77]

Hope it doesn't mean it's a right off, image doesn't look like its very extensive but it depends on how much damage has been done to the engines.

Quite I'd imagine there'll be some shirt formed trains tomorrow to cover the loss. At least it was close(ish) to Newton Heath to clear the line.

Does anyone know if the RAIB will be doing an investigation or is this not their area of investigations?

 

[Crossover]

That looks like quite a fire! Hope everyone got out OK

Shame it has happened to a 144 rather than 142

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Anyone know which unit was involved? Can't tell from the image whether it's a 2-car or 3-car unit. Looks like a 2, but can't tell if there's another car obscured by all that smoke!

 

[pdq]

Would this be the reason for the cancellations that Real Time Trains endearingly describe as due to a 'mishap'?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y45898/2013/11/21/advanced

 

[Manchester77]

Appears so fits in with the time stated in the article.

I guess it'd be better to be a two car (that way it won't result on too many shirt formed services etc)

 

[theblackwatch]

Anyone know which unit was involved? Can't tell from the image whether it's a 2-car or 3-car unit. Looks like a 2, but can't tell if there's another car obscured by all that smoke!

It was a 3-car - 144023 I believe.

 

[yorksrob]

Oh dear, I wonder how long that will be out of circulation. Very bad news.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

(that way it won't result on too many shirt formed services etc)

That'll iron out the delays...

 

[Harlesden]

Wondering why the MEN article states
The fire caused the line to be shut as fire crews and police officers rushed to extinguish the blaze last night.

 

[Manchester77]

It's the MEN, they're not known for their top notch journalism! Also it's worded in the future almost stating that the incident happened on Thursday Afternoon as opposed to this afternoon which would have been used normally.

 

[Donny Dave]

I know there had been problems keeping passengers warm recently, but I think the new air con system is a bit extreme! hock:

 

[185]

That'll iron out the delays...

I bet Northern Rail Control aren't creasing laughing at this :P

 

[Solent&Wessex]

As it appears to be the centre car on fire it should be fairly easy just to use it as a 2 car instead. No fancy computers to reconfigure here!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

As it appears to be the centre car on fire it should be fairly easy just to use it as a 2 car instead. No fancy computers to reconfigure here!

Fair point, assuming there's not much damage to the undersides of the neighbouring vehicles.

 

[1D53]

As it appears to be the centre car on fire it should be fairly easy just to use it as a 2 car instead. No fancy computers to reconfigure here!

The centre vehicle is the most damaged although the rear vehicle also has some damage, subject to a full depot assessment.

 

[TOCDriver]

Either the oil or the fuel line has broken in my humble opinion. Very rare occurrence, nevertheless

 

[Silv1983]

Kudos to the train crew for obviously dealing with it in such a way that even the most obtuse of passengers didn't feel the need to flock onto to twitter to proclaim that they "nearly died".

 

[MetroDriver]

I don't often comment, but after seeing the BBC report online, and the above typo's references, this just HAD to be included
The BOLD text highlighted by me:

About 150 train passengers fled a train in Greater Manchester after it caught fire.
The Northern Rail service between Manchester and Leeds stopped in Clegg Hall in Wardle, Rochdale after passengers reported smoke coming from beneath a carriage at 15:30 GMT.
Greater Manchester Fire Service said no-one was hurt in the blaze, which involved a diesel tack under the train.
Northern Rail said there was no damage to the line and services have resumed.
Station manager Andy Bracken said: "The fire involved a diesel tack underneath the train on the middle carriage and because the fire was so intense it had spread up through the flooring.
"There was quite a lot of smoke because of the diesel involved but there were no reports of any injuries."
Fire crews remained on the scene for more than three hours to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.

Quoted from here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-25042831

 

[Manchester77]

Fixed it now, must've seen your post

They BBC article says it ripped through the floor, I guess that means the centre coach could be a complete right off.

 

[yorksrob]

We can't afford to lose a centre carriage. Is there anything spare that could potentially replace it ?

 

[Manchester77]

Not that I can think of, maybe the carriage will get repaired since porterbrook do see a future for their 144s..?

 

[455driver]

They BBC article says it ripped through the floor, I guess that means the centre coach could be a complete right off.

So you are taking a BBC report as gospel and assuming the coach is a write off!

 

[Crossover]

The things are probably just bolted together. Bit of new wood for the floor and a lick of paint and it'll be reet...oh, and maybe a new tack (maybe it could just go horse drawn in that case... :P)

 

[90sWereBetter]

Looks like a fairly substantial fire. Great to hear that everyone got off safely. I suppose the unit can be used as a two-car from now on in.

How long until the inevitable Daily Mail article appears about this? Wonder what their take will be.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Wardle is not exactly well-known for railway exploits such as this. This incident will enter the annals of local folklore. We may even see a campaign to open a railway station between Smithy Bridge and Littleborough..

 

[Eagle]

How long until the inevitable Daily Mail article appears about this? Wonder what their take will be.

Pacers give you cancer.

 

[YorkshireBear]

This is surely the fault of the privatised rail system. Where is good old Bob?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Pacers give you cancer.

And benefits to people who don't deserve it.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Now, I like pacers, but given the mess this ones in after this, its probs quite lucky it didnt happen in the summer with 25c pluss heat making things worse? Hope the old girl recovers!