Derailment on festiniog railway

[Zontar]

Derailment 11/09/21

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10165703331775716&id=240578110715

On Friday the 10th of September, a train on the Ffestiniog Railway was the subject of a minor low speed derailment affecting one carriage wheelset. There were no injuries resulting from the incident. As a result though, an earlier train running ahead of the affected train was stranded at Tan-y-Bwlch station.
The RAIB were informed of the incident and the FFWHR team have worked with them in working to restore normal services.
A further train was despatched to bring the passengers on the affected train back to Porthmadog and road transport used to collect passengers from Tan-y-Bwlch station. Passengers for Coed y Bleiddiau were also accommodated by special trains.
As a result of this incident, train services were suspended for the rest of the day. Recovery operations were completed before dusk and the railway company wishes to thank the staff that worked extra hours to ensure this was completed safely and effectively.
Work to repair the affected infrastructure is in hand on Saturday 11th September. All FR trains have been cancelled until Sunday 12th of September to allow sufficient time for repairs to be completed and all safety checks made. Welsh Highland Railway services are not affected.

Seems to be an incident a year for this railway at the moment.

2019 - level crossing smashed into by loco
2020 - run away loco driven by general manager
2021 - derailment on mainline with passenger service.

 

[eldomtom2]

2020 - run away loco driven by general manager

Is that really relevant? IIRC it wasn't his fault, it was a bodge-job on the brakes that hadn't been properly documented.

 

[Cowley]

Derailment 11/09/21

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10165703331775716&id=240578110715

Seems to be an incident a year for this railway at the moment.

2019 - level crossing smashed into by loco
2020 - run away loco driven by general manager
2021 - derailment on mainline with passenger service.

Not quite sure what you’re hinting at here?

 

[Elwyn]

If the account given by the company on Facebook is accurate, this was a pretty minor incident. In news terms it’s close to “Washing line breaks in Tan-Y-Bwlch.” 50 years ago I doubt it would have merited a news report at all. Nothing I have read in the FB message gives me any anxiety. Indeed it sounds as though the company handled the whole matter very professionally. I’d travel with them tomorrow.

 

[Cowley]

If the account given by the company on Facebook is accurate, this was a pretty minor incident. In news terms it’s close to “Washing line breaks in Tan-Y-Bwlch.” 50 years ago I doubt it would have merited a news report at all. Nothing I have read in the FB message gives me any anxiety. Indeed it sounds as though the company handled the whole matter very professionally. I’d travel with them tomorrow.

Likewise I wouldn’t hesitate to travel on the line whatsoever. It’s always seemed like a very professionally run operation.

 

[the sniper]

2020 - run away loco driven by general manager

Is that really relevant? IIRC it wasn't his fault, it was a bodge-job on the brakes that hadn't been properly documented.

How did that one play out?

 

[341o2]

Minor low speed derailment of one axle....can't really be bothered to read the comments in Farcebook

 

[Zontar]

Not hinting at anything, just stating facts.

What I will hint at is that as a rail enthusiast, I do wish them many years of incident free running.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Sep 2021 ==

How did that one play out?

Very basically the brake blocks were adjusted at overhaul (can't remember why) and as a result didn't provide adequate grip of wheel.

Was noted poorly documented and inadequate brake testing processes in place.

On a side note, it was also found driver had isolated dsd. Not that this would have helped regardless, but draws speculation.

 

[Worf]

Speculation, on here or indeed on Farcebook is a pastime for the under employed. Such threads only lead to more pointless uninformed speculation and should be heavily moderated.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Speculation, on here or indeed on Farcebook is a pastime for the under employed. Such threads only lead to more pointless uninformed speculation and should be heavily moderated.

The Speculative Ideas forum exists for speculating, and so those such as yourself who don't appreciate it can decline to read it.

 

[Worf]

I thought I was on the "Railtours and Preservation" forum?

Is there a "Speculative Ideas" forum? Maybe you should start one.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I thought I was on the "Railtours and Preservation" forum?

You are.

Is there a "Speculative Ideas" forum? Maybe you should start one.

https://www.railforums.co.uk/forums/speculative-ideas.172/

More for "what should/shouldn't the railway do" rather than speculation about causes of incidents, though.

Something like "How should the FfR change its safety procedures, if indeed it should" would fit there, though.

 

[Zontar]

Something like "How should the FfR change its safety procedures, if indeed it should" would fit there, though.

That's not a bad shout to be honest.

But for clarity of others, my post is/was to obtain some facts about a recent incident.

Clouded by my error to include recent historical incidents.

 

[Worf]

That's not a bad shout to be honest.

But for clarity of others, my post is/was to obtain some facts about a recent incident.

Clouded by my error to include recent historical incidents.

Not a problem, except "facts" are rarely obtained from an open forum, unless you work for the RAIB, or are a witness to an event, either as a member of the public, or a member of staff/volunteer.

Anything else is just someones opinion. Although that might not be a problem in itself, further speculation could harm the reputation of the "operator" of the concern, based on nothing more than rumour.

(I am in no way involved with the FfR, just a supporter)

 

[Cowley]

I think we’ll leave this for now until there’s a bit more solid information. If anyone sees anything that’s relevant then get in touch with me and I’ll reopen it. Thanks.