Could you steal a train?

[Lawman]

Folks,
This may sound a daft question but could it be possible for someone to steal a loco. Before anyone dials 999 the Lawman in not about to hot wire a train


l was wondering, say for instance a freight loco is parked within its yard, and is not blocked by any other unit, could a "Bad boy", or a disgruntled employee just hop in and take it away?

 

[mr williams]

you'd have difficulty in hiding it once you got it home

 

[Lawman]

you'd have difficulty in hiding it once you got it home

ive got an awfy big garden shed!!!!

 

[MidnightFlyer]

The signalman would see something occupying the track once it got moving, and would have I assume contacts to inform if not a schedualled train/freight service. Then you've got to hope that points are set for you to get out of the sidings/yard, and hope that no extensive CCTV catches you, that no-one sees you, and that you can get pover the fence un-noticed. Then you've gotta get in (T-key?), start it, and get it moving... So no, I highly, highly doubt you could.

 

[Intermodal]

Folks,
This may sound a daft question but could it be possible for someone to steal a loco.Before anyone dials 999 the Lawman in not about to hot wire a train
l was wondering, say for instance a freight loco is parked within its yard,and in not blocked by any other unit,could a Bad boy,or a disgruntled employee just hop in and take it away.

Yes, there is nothing stopping anyone except skill and any ignition keys/driving handles/tools. Signals could be set against the train to try and stop it but if you know how automatic systems can be isolated and you can carry on. The real way to stop the train would be to divert the train into a siding with facing (meaning you are going onto another line from the main line, instead of coming off another line from the main line) points (trailing points can be forced through with the weight of the train).

 

[Metroland]

You wouldn't get it very far, you'd either be stopped at signals or derailed.

 

[northernrail]

Course if you dont mind catch points

 

[anthony263]

Didnt someone do something like this a good few years ago? I think it was a 08 where the person broke into the yard or something

 

[dviner]

Where would you go with it? I'm pretty sure that would get caught by catch/trap points before you got out of the yard.

 

[TomJ93]

I saw a 47 at Nuneaton yesterday, the driver got out and went up the steps, leaving the loco running and the door unlocked!

 

[mumrar]

Didnt someone do something like this a good few years ago? I think it was a 08 where the person broke into the yard or something

Can't find the story but I think it was Tinsley. Apologies if this all turns out to be inaccurate.

 

[Intermodal]

I saw a 47 at Nuneaton yesterday, the driver got out and went up the steps, leaving the loco running and the door unlocked!

I think this is pretty standard practice. I don't know if 47s even have locks on the doors?

 

[185]

FirstGroup managed to lose a 142 during 1999. There was a required audit by the leasing company and they genuinely didn't know where it was S

 

[ainsworth74]

FirstGroup managed to lose a 142 during 1999. There was a required audit by the leasing company and they genuinely didn't know where it was

Firstly just how can you lose an entire train! Granted 142s are pretty small but still... Secondly did they ever find it again or is there still a 142 lost somewhere

 

[Ibex]

Well to be honest I think that the Great Train Robbery proved that you can hijack a train, but actually steal one, I very highly doubt it.

I doubt that it's difficult to get hold of all the appropriate keys, after all a T-Key is just a square, and number 1 / 7 keys are very common. Even cleaners use them.

 

[anthony263]

if this is true, then how many other DMU'S have been lost?

 

[scotsman]

Well to be honest I think that the Great Train Robbery proved that you can hijack a train, but actually steal one, I very highly doubt it.

I doubt that it's difficult to get hold of all the appropriate keys, after all a T-Key is just a square, and number 1 / 7 keys are very common. Even cleaners use them.

T-Keys have been adapted to have a circular section with a prong in the centre to make the older ones less useful.

 

[jimbof]

Being a LawBoy myself, I think it would hinge on whether the "BadBoy" had firstly trespassed the Depot, as for the "Disgruntled Employee", I'm sure many an Employment Tribunal would love to get their teeth into that one !!!:

 

[ralphchadkirk]

T-Keys have been adapted to have a circular section with a prong in the centre to make the older ones less useful.

And you would need a master (EP) key to open the desk of a loco/unit. Which s
isn't a t-key.

You would also need lots of associated knowledge to be able to even start one - priming the engine, brakes, brake pressure etc.

 

[tbtc]

When I read in the Daily Record of the TESCO train disappearing into thin air outside Wishaw, I'll think of this thread...

It happens often with buses, but the signals/ track means you wouldn't get far on a train (without insider help)...

 

[MCR247]

if this is true, then how many other DMU'S have been lost?

None :?

 

[GearJammer]

I was told you can start up a 47 with a long nose pair of pliars, is this true?

 

[EM2]

FirstGroup managed to lose a 142 during 1999. There was a required audit by the leasing company and they genuinely didn't know where it was S

Why not just search for it on TOPS? Should tell its location, no?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Can't find the story but I think it was Tinsley. Apologies if this all turns out to be inaccurate.

It was, in 2006.
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Locomotive-joyride-could-land-Corus.1565734.jp

 

[AlexS]

I'm sure I once read that an ex EWS driver got dismissed, went shortly after to Wembley or Willesden, coupled up a few class 90s, rang the signaller and announced he was a light engine Freightliner for Crewe Basford Hall, and indeed off he went. Apparently it took EWS several weeks to work out where these locos had gone to?

 

[The Barlow Boy]

In theory (it's a fantastic place where everything works) it's fairly easy to get into a traction unit and drive it off providing that you have the knowledge on how to start it and have the key to do it in the first place. How far you'd get is a matter of the track layout over the route that you're off on your jaunt.

 

[185]

Firstly just how can you lose an entire train! Granted 142s are pretty small but still... Secondly did they ever find it again or is there still a 142 lost somewhere

They'd loaned it to another operator, who returned it and it took them 11 weeks to realise it was in the back of Stockport Sidings.

 

[91101]

Why not just search for it on TOPS? Should tell its location, no?

Its not an automated system, it requires input from a controller to tell it what diagram a unit is on and then keep it updated with swaps, changes and disruptions through the day.

Even with the most sophisticated control programmes, such as Genius for Stock that is used nowadays there is a still a LOT of manual input!!

 

[Mex]

Firstly just how can you lose an entire train! Granted 142s are pretty small but still... Secondly did they ever find it again or is there still a 142 lost somewhere

Maybe ScotRail could use it on the A2B line if they manage to find it!

 

[mindfeeder]

I seem to remember EWS losing a 66 around ten years ago. I think it turned up in South Wales somewhere. It was reported in RAIL.

Don't think it was stolen though, just went missing. If that's possible.

 

[scotsman]

I was told you can start up a 47 with a long nose pair of pliars, is this true?

I find the start button works just as well!