DMUs driven from rear cab

[Whistler40145]

I once travelled on a Class 156 between Blackpool North & Preston whereby the front cab controls were out of use. The Guard announced we had a fault, which couldn't be fixed, so the driver went to the rear cab and drove the train in reverse.

Would a second driver sit in the front cab or would the Guard do this and relay signal instructions to the main driver or what would have happened?

Has anyone else come across this unusual problem?

 

[asylumxl]

I would imagine it works as you described.

Is there a reversal involved shortly after? I can't see them keeping the train in service otherwise.

 

[Whistler40145]

It was either a service that was terminating at Preston, otherwise it may have received attention by a Fitter or a replacement DMU was provided.

Does anyone know if DMUs can run at normal speed if driven in reverse from the rear cab or whether a reduced speed applies?

 

[Cherry_Picker]

It's known as propelling. Out of curiosity, when did this happen?

 

[Whistler40145]

Could have been pre-privatisation or mid 2000s.

Why?

 

[W230]

Does anyone know if DMUs can run at normal speed if driven in reverse from the rear cab or whether a reduced speed applies?

No they can't. I'm a bit confused by the driver reversing though? Normally with a multiple unit you would have to drive it wrong direction from the working cab or get an assisting unit from the rear. :?

 

[Cherry_Picker]

Could have been pre-privatisation or mid 2000s.

Why?

I just find the story difficult to believe is all. The implication is that the train was driven from the rear cab all the way from Blackpool to Preston? At line speed? And the guard announced over the PA to the passengers that they were going to do it? There are an abundance of platforms at Blackpool North, plus a drivers depot so I would presume the presence of fitters and maybe even a spare unit. Why would anybody in their right mind propel a train all that way instead of cancelling it?

I've been a train driver for more than ten years, I've propelled trains scores of times for shunting purposes but never with passengers on board.

 

[Whistler40145]

The Guard only announced we had a fault & we would be delayed whilst a Fitter attempted to fix it, which he couldn't.

In fact, I think two members of Traincrew were in the rear cab, one was Driving with the other looking out of the cab window to acknowledge the Guards actions from the front, so operating in reverse of normal.

The service was booked non stop to Preston, so without any intermediate stops, would this make a difference to operating conditions?

Also, it was the only unit on the platform at Blackpool North & no other units were available to couple up with.

Would control give permission to operate to where assistance could be provided.

 

[158801]

It happened to me a number years ago.

The driver drove in reverse from the rear cab between (I think) Settle and Skipton where the unit was taken out of service.

This must be about 16-17 years ago.

 

[D6975]

Driving from the rear cab is expressly forbidden in some places. There used to be signs in the carriage sidings at Longsight warning drivers not to do it. I once saw a collision between a DMU and a 31/4 that was a direct result of the DMU driver not changing cabs while doing a shunt onto shed.

 

[Silv1983]

It's known as propelling. Out of curiosity, when did this happen?

Isn't propelling when you move another unit that is 'dead'? i.e. no power/brake/air or control over the same.

The op is describing what sounds like 'driving from other than the leading cab': which is different to propelling.

Back to the OP - it sounds like the Train Control circuit breaker tripped. It's very rare to be allowed to drive from the rear cab on the mainline. Usually you make a wrong direction move or get assistance from another unit. When it is authorise: a competent person (i.e. another driver who signs the route) has to sit in the front cab and relay instructions via the cab to cab phone.

 

[12CSVT]

I've been on a class 105 DMU (late 1970s as far as I can remember) which developed a fault somewhere between Blackburn and Preston. The guard sat in the front cab while the driver drove from the rear cab at reduced speed all the way to Preston.

As an aside I was once on a train hauled by a class 40 which failed between Newcastle and Hexham. The rescue loco (a class 47) propelled the train to Hexham, at considerably faster speed than the permitted 20 mph for such a move; actual speed was probably nearer 50 - 60 mph.

 

[scotraildriver]

Have a read of section 13 here:

http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/Rule_Book/Rule Book Modules/TW - Train Working/GERT8000-TW1 Iss 8.pdf

 

[t_star2001uk]

It's known as propelling. Out of curiosity, when did this happen?

Its not called propelling because a 156 vehicle is powered it is classed as driving from other than the leading cab.

Rule book TW1 Preparation and movement of trains.

10.4 driving a traction unit from other than the leading driving cab

You may drive a traction unit from other than the leading cab only when:

*The driving controls are defective.
*Propelling (see below)
*Shunting

13.1 definitions

A propelling movement applies when VEHICLES WHICH ARE NOT CAPABLE OF SELF POWERED movement are pushed by a traction unit.

A 156 vehicle with defective driving controls is still a powered vehicle and would still behave the same irrespective of which cab the train is being driven from....

 

[455driver]

I just find the story difficult to believe is all. The implication is that the train was driven from the rear cab all the way from Blackpool to Preston? At line speed?

And?

I can remember when 2x2HAP units were driven from the font cab of the rear unit because the front cab was defective, it went all the way to Staines (then the terminus of the Weybridges) like that and only lost 2 minutes on the schedule, I still work with the driver!

edit-

I see the pedants are in fine form on here again! :roll:

 

[Cherry_Picker]

I stand corrected then. I just found it difficult to believe. I certainly wouldn't do it myself in passenger service though.

 

[TDK]

It's known as propelling. Out of curiosity, when did this happen?

Experienced drivers will call it propelling Cherry when in fact it isn't. I have always known it as propelling but knew it wasn't. It's the new shiny trainees just out of their rule training quoting the facts LOL

 

[t_star2001uk]

Experienced drivers will call it propelling Cherry when in fact it isn't. I have always known it as propelling but knew it wasn't. It's the new shiny trainees just out of their rule training quoting the facts LOL

MMMM 20 years ago was when i did my drivers rules training....... Does that make me a shiny new trainee......

And i was taught the difference between propelling and driving from other than the leading cab......