Class 334/Juniper jolts/stutters whilst braking/accelerating?

[Ben Glasgow]

Hello!

Since storm Ali hit Scotland (and I think northern England) these trains have been slow to accelerate and during acceleration and braking the train quite noticeably shudders/stutters as if it’s lost power or slipping.

Anyone want to weigh in what possible cause there is? Could a damaged overhead supply cause this or is it likely mechanical or environmental?

Every 334 has done this since the storm a few days ago, just curious if it’s definitely a direct effect from the storm.

 

[43096]

Hello!

Since storm Ali hit Scotland (and I think northern England) these trains have been slow to accelerate and during acceleration and braking the train quite noticeably shudders/stutters as if it’s lost power or slipping.

Anyone want to weigh in what possible cause there is? Could a damaged overhead supply cause this or is it likely mechanical or environmental?

Every 334 has done this since the storm a few days ago, just curious if it’s definitely a direct effect from the storm.

Wheelslip and wheelslide due to leaves brought down by the storm, perhaps?

 

[Ben Glasgow]

Wheelslip and wheelslide due to leaves brought down by the storm, perhaps?

I’d have thought that but it’s been a few days since (Wednesday) and it’s a mainline so it’s been used a few timers per hour per day minus at night.

 

[43096]

I’d have thought that but it’s been a few days since (Wednesday) and it’s a mainline so it’s been used a few timers per hour per day minus at night.

If the railhead treatment trains haven't started running yet, then the leaves get crushed against the railhead as trains pass so that it becomes a Teflon-like coating - no amount of trains since will shift it - it will need the treatment train to clear it.

 

[Ben Glasgow]

If the railhead treatment trains haven't started running yet, then the leaves get crushed against the railhead as trains pass so that it becomes a Teflon-like coating - no amount of trains since will shift it - it will need the treatment train to clear it.

I did think that too actually, you’re more than likely right I think.

 

[Highlandspring]

Last night was exceptionally bad for poor rail adhesion in Scotland (particularly on the North Electrics and round Hamilton, Newton and down Inverclyde way) from around 2000 to close of service, with more than 50 reports from drivers and numerous station overruns and trains slipping to a stand or unable to pull away. It seems to have been down to the rain as all bar a couple of sites were wet rails only, no contamination.

 

[Surreytraveller]

With a bit of luck it'll mean most of the leaves are already off the trees and the rest of the autumn will be relatively smooth

 

[driver9000]

I think you answered your own question by mentioning wheel slip and wheel slide. It's been a rough few days and the RHTT programme hasn't started yet and simply running one train along a route isn't going to clear the rails for other trains in fact it can make it worse as the leaves get compacted onto the rail. I experienced a lot of slipping the other night with a 350 climbing a steep gradient reaching the top much slower than normal and then slid down the other side with the WSP active constantly. Both are locations where wheel slip is not normally an issue.