Animals on the line - Duffield 29th August

[Scott W]

Was having a walk round the Millennium Meadow and footpaths to the shops earlier this evening when spotted three sheep on the line. Two had unfortunately already been hit, and the other kept returning to the scene at the trackside. I called Network Rail who confirmed they were aware and someone was on their way.

I was a little surprised to witness for around an hour the mixed approach to the incident of passing trains. Southbound trains appeared to continue at line speed, with northbound somewhat random. Some appeared to pass quite quickly, although not line speed, whilst others much slower even when sometime after the last train, and a crosscountry train made an emergency break application coming to a stop in Duffield station.

We left at dusk with no sign of Network Rail over an hour after my call, but was left intrigued by the apparent different approach by drivers and what felt like a slow response to get anyone to site.

 

[Llanigraham]

I seem to remember the Rule Book states that you only caution for 6 sheep.

 

[LCC106]

I imagine it would depend where the Mobile Operations Manager was at the time of the call in terms of response time. I believe they have a large patch. That coupled with bank holiday traffic could explain not seeing anyone. In terms of the trains and speed etc who knows?

 

[JustPassingBy]

Re: line speed - probably one of those times where there isn't an exact rule to cover it since every situation is different. So presumably each driver making their own decision about what's appropriate.

 

[youngiecj]

I noticed one on the track as we passed on a charter. Shame to hear a couple were killed.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Meanwhile, having traveled from Derbyshire, I am stuck on a train held up by sheep on the line at Whittlesford Baarkway.

 

[Falcon1200]

Re: line speed - probably one of those times where there isn't an exact rule to cover it since every situation is different.

There is an exact rule, as per Llanigraham's Post #2 ! A small number of sheep is not regarded as hazardous to train running, therefore there is no requirement for the Signaller to caution trains. However, individual Drivers may slow down on sighting the sheep.

 

[JustPassingBy]

Your last sentence is the point I was trying to make, i.e. it sounds like there is no hard and fast rule for exactly how drivers should approach the situation.

 

[Falcon1200]

Your last sentence is the point I was trying to make, i.e. it sounds like there is no hard and fast rule for exactly how drivers should approach the situation.

Fair enough, thanks.

 

[Llanigraham]

Your last sentence is the point I was trying to make, i.e. it sounds like there is no hard and fast rule for exactly how drivers should approach the situation.

How can there be a "hard and fast rule" when they aren't going to know there are 6 or less sheep on the track? The first they are going to know about them is when they see them at whatever the line speed is, and that could be anything up to 125 mph.

 

[Edsmith]

Animals on the line? That's no way to talk about Network Rail staff!

Seriously though it's happened a few times between Ashford and Canterbury West including a very serious incident a few years ago.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

There was a brief discussion of sheep on one of the general threads a few weeks back. "Not the smartest of animals" would be a massive understatement.

 

[Spartacus]

There was a brief discussion of sheep on one of the general threads a few weeks back. "Not the smartest of animals" would be a massive understatement.

Yeah, knew someone who went from cattle into sheep farming. I think 'always looking for new and inventive ways to kill themselves' were his words.

 

[TUC]

There must be potentential for a nursery rhyme about this.

Three little sheep on a railway line....

 

[61653 HTAFC]

There must be potentent for a nursery rhyme about this.

Three little sheep on a railway line....

Splat! Splat! dead sheep
Have you any meat?
An unexpected feast for the train driver to eat...

 

[Scott W]

Slightly surprised this evening to see at least one of the carcasses still laying trackside...