AWC Derailment at Shap Summit 03/11/25

[cats_five]

https://x.com/networkrailWCML/status/1985596877199303158

Network Rail posted an update on twitter showing excellent progress during the night

View attachment 191688View attachment 191689View attachment 191690

So that's where the photos on the North Yorkshire etc. FB group came from

 

[43096]

As suggested above I've looked at the N. Yorks weather facebook page and an image on there is of 57309 obviously rescuing the 390. Will this loco still have a functioning Dellner coupler or will it be using an adaptor from its hook coupler?

Yes, 57309 is one of the four Thunderbirds (57304/307/308 are the others) that DRS have for Pendolino rescues.

 

[304033]

To Polmadie from Carlisle at 22:25 as 8X39

---

Train 39207435 ( 26114) 8X39 22:25 Carlisle to Polmadie Carriage Maintenance Depot
Update ID: 0 VSTP
Created: 04/11/25 10:18:04
Deleted:
Bank holiday running:
STP Indicator: N New
Train UID: 26114
ATOC code:
UIC code:
Days runs: Tu
Schedule Dates: 04/11/25 - 04/11/25
Signalling ID: 8X39
Deduced headcode:
Train category: DH Unrecognised
TOC Headcode:
Train service code: 22109001
Business Sector:
Power type: EMU Electric Multiple Unit
Timing Load:
Speed:
Operating Characteristics: Q Runs as required
Seating Class:
Sleepers:
Reservations:
Connection Indicator:
Catering Code:
Service Branding:
Train Status: 2 STP freight

Location Arr Dep P PathLine
Carlisle 22:25 Train begins.
Gretna Junction 22/48
Quintinshill 22:55 23:05
Kirkpatrick Signal MC863 23/15
Lockerbie Down Passenger Loop 23:46 00:40
Lockerbie 00/42
Beattock 01/17
Beattock Summit 01/41
Abington 02/06
Carstairs South Junction 02/46
CARSTAIRS NORTH JN 02/50
Lanark Junction 02/58 [2]
Law Junction 03/21
Shieldmuir 03/31 (1)
Motherwell 03/37
Uddingston Junction 03/52
NEWTON EAST JN 03/55
Newton (Lanarks) West Junction 03/58 {1}
Rutherglen East Junction 04/06
Rutherglen Central Junction 04/08
Shawfield 04/14 [1]
Larkfield Junction 04:18 04:48
Polmadie Carriage Maintenance Depot 04:52 Train finishes.

[] Engineering allowance. () Pathing allowance. {} Performance allowance.

 

[Harpo]

Universal padlock which a MOM would have been able to unlock in plenty of time for the passengers getting to the gate.

Or the fire brigade will usually oblige with what they call a ‘universal key’. It’s in the shape of an axe……

 

[trainophile]

In the evacuation photo I saw one person appeared to have a rucksack and other luggage, although it might have been a stock photo. I just wondered whether people were able to be reunited with their suitcases etc. before onward transfer? Not the sort of thing you'd want to be dragging along the ballast.

 

[800001]

Or the fire brigade will usually oblige with what they call a ‘universal key’. It’s in the shape of an axe……

Yes, but from the initial
Incident to the time people were evacuated, let alone walked to the access point, that is more than enough time to get someone from NR thwre to open gate.

That will of all be assessed before the decision is made to walk people to that access point.

 

[357]

Or the fire brigade will usually oblige with what they call a ‘universal key’. It’s in the shape of an axe……

Highly unlikely during a controlled evacuation.

 

[Annetts key]

Or the fire brigade will usually oblige with what they call a ‘universal key’. It’s in the shape of an axe……

That's not what they would use, there is a much safer tool. But as others have said a railway worker with a key is far more likely than waiting for a fire fighter. Especially as some train crew may also carry the correct key and the MOM, P.Way, S&T and other staff that go trackside would all have keys.

 

[Harpo]

That's not what they would use, there is a much safer tool.

I speak from trackside experience but am aware that there are other options.

 

[357]

Especially as some train crew may also carry the correct key and the MOM, P.Way, S&T and other staff that go trackside would all have keys

Can confirm as a driver I carry the access point key for the areas I drive. It also opens loads of other stuff!

 

[68000]

Keys for access gates are standard issue to anyone who would be involved in a controlled evacuation from a train

 

[sharpener]

That's not what they would use, there is a much safer tool. But as others have said a railway worker with a key is far more likely than waiting for a fire fighter.

If Fire and Rescue have been called to the scene they may well have "unlocked" the gate themselves from the outside rather than wait for a railway worker in order to get in.

 

[cats_five]

I'm just glad that for once BTP didn't feel the need to arrest the driver

Wouldn't be at all surprised if he was drink & drug tested

 

[357]

Wouldn't be at all surprised if he was drink & drug tested

That's normal. What isn't normal is the trend of arresting staff that's been emerging over the last few years.

 

[dk1]

Wouldn't be at all surprised if he was drink & drug tested

I was not tested after any incident or any of the three fatalities I was involved in as a driver as none were my fault.

 

[fgwrich]

Yes, 57309 is one of the four Thunderbirds (57304/307/308 are the others) that DRS have for Pendolino rescues.

Though 304 has been stored at Eastleigh for some time.

WCML set to reopen tonight with the Caley Sleepers all booked to pass through.

 

[stuving]

If Fire and Rescue have been called to the scene they may well have "unlocked" the gate themselves from the outside rather than wait for a railway worker in order to get in.

The passenger walked north to the nearest access point (Wickersgill?) and were taken by vehicles to the hotel. The access close to the hotel's road entrance is a very steep staircase down a high embankment, and would not be advisable anyway.

 

[madannie77]

The 4M48 Coatbridge to Daventry seems to be the first train south over Shap, passing the summit at 2144, with two Coatbridge to Basford Hall trains close behind.

Realtime Trains | 4M48 1838 Coatbridge (Drs) to Daventry Drs (Tesco) | 04/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 4M48 1838 departure from Coatbridge (Drs) to Daventry Drs (Tesco) on 04/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[GordonT]

Probably just as well the sleepers are reverting to the WCML given the ECML signal problems at York.

 

[a_c_skinner]

Another daft question. There is obviously a lot of ??fibreglass missing from the front end. Do we keep a load of spares? Do more get made from time to time?

 

[Harpo]

Another daft question. There is obviously a lot of ??fibreglass missing from the front end. Do we keep a load of spares? Do more get made from time to time?

It may depend what got bought as ‘initial spares’. There were a couple of spare 373 noses at North Pole in Eurostar days and I remember a senior manager who was apoplectic about the vast collection of plastic-wrapped ‘initial spares’ 158 engines that he had to store at Doncaster.

Another ‘cost of contingency’ discussion?

 

[a_c_skinner]

It may depend what got bought as ‘initial spares’. There were a couple of spare 373 noses at North Pole in Eurostar days and I remember a senior manager who was apoplectic about the vast collection of plastic-wrapped ‘initial spares’ 158 engines that he had to store at Doncaster.

Another ‘cost of contingency’ discussion?

One assumes the makers will be able, perhaps obliged, to deliver spares? Plastic wrapped of course.

 

[M60lad]

Not to sure if its been asked but will having a Pendalino out of what could be long term possible use have an effect on services over the next couple of days/weeks/months?

 

[E100]

The 4M48 Coatbridge to Daventry seems to be the first train south over Shap, passing the summit at 2144, with two Coatbridge to Basford Hall trains close behind.

Realtime Trains | 4M48 1838 Coatbridge (Drs) to Daventry Drs (Tesco) | 04/11/2025

Real-time train running information for 4M48 1838 departure from Coatbridge (Drs) to Daventry Drs (Tesco) on 04/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I was about to say there is quite the procession of freight trains running over the WCML. I assumed most had been diverted by the S&C or even ECML but evidently they believe in NR ambitious reopening and to their credit in under 48 hours (barely 36 hours) they've achieved it. In appalling conditions and in a remote site they are to be commended.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Nov 2025 ==

Not to sure if its been asked but will having a Pendalino out of what could be long term possible use have an effect on services over the next couple of days/weeks/months?

This will depend on the 390 availability e.g. if any have wheel flats etc one would presume. Considering that they did just refurbish them which would have required at least a set out for a while I would have thought in general they are ok but will be tight so if another failure occurs then it'll become much more difficult.

 

[takno]

Not to sure if its been asked but will having a Pendalino out of what could be long term possible use have an effect on services over the next couple of days/weeks/months?

The damage looked pretty minor apart from the nose cone having disappeared. Obviously there's the potential for something more serious to have happened, but on the face of it there's no reason to expect it to be out for months.

Shorter term it reduces contingency, which increases the risk of cancellations if not enough units are serviceable on a given day. Not sure it would be that impactful compared to the usual litaby of delays and cancellations that afflict an ageing line with a rather unambitious operator.

 

[SansHache]

Another daft question. There is obviously a lot of ??fibreglass missing from the front end. Do we keep a load of spares? Do more get made from time to time?

Sadly the fibre glass nose cones are replaced on a regular basis so there is a stock at all depots.

 

[Yorkshire09876]

Sadly the fibre glass nose cones are replaced on a regular basis so there is a stock at all depots.

Why sadly? They are designed to be the easily replaceable bit. Much better than having to replace or repair the whole cab structure.

 

[PG]

Why sadly? They are designed to be the easily replaceable bit. Much better than having to replace or repair the whole cab structure.

Have a think?...Impact damage which can sometimes affect a drivers future career.

 

[JohnMartins]

The railhead treatment train (3j11) has just run down Shap successfully. Was that the first?

Amazing recovery. Respect to everybody who got it done.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Line now fully open, with only a handful of cancellations through the area? Amazing to get this all sorted within less than 48 hours.