EC Train vs. Deer yesterday near Peterborough (1.11.14)

[Tomnick]

That's true, at least the Thunderbird could get around to the other end even if it did take an hour to do so.

Anyone have any idea how often this happens? I guess striking an animal is quite common but for that to disable the train?

It's relatively rare for a train to become completely disabled mid-section and require assistance - even more so for a passenger train. I couldn't put a more precise figure on it,
I'm afraid!

Regarding the ability of the modern railway to respond, as raised by Taunton - I'd suggest that it's more efficient but less flexible nowadays. Yes, it'd be wonderful to have spare locos and crews everywhere - but, as always, who pays?

 

[MichaelJP59]

It's been interesting reading some of the info on this thread about what might have happened on the engineering side and associated rescue.

After incidents like this, is there an investigation and report done to learn about the different factors and how to improve incident management? Or is that only done if someone has been injured or killed?

 

[Aictos]

Actually DBS are required to provide 5 class 67's to EC for thunderbird duties, usually their is two at Doncaster but in reality the fifth can be either at KGX/BN, DON, NCL or EDB/EC.

I'm sorry I didn't realise Doncaster had two on standby, least I got the locations right though.

 

[wensley]

It's been interesting reading some of the info on this thread about what might have happened on the engineering side and associated rescue.

After incidents like this, is there an investigation and report done to learn about the different factors and how to improve incident management? Or is that only done if someone has been injured or killed?

All signifincatly disruptive incidents are reviewed by NR and the affected TOCs as a 'lessons learnt' exercise for future incidents of a similar nature. However, this is very different and much more straigtforward than an RAIB investigation following a more serious incident.

GC 1A69 struck a deer in the same sort of area the week previous and was delayed 90mins after damage to the train required attention from the Driver at Peterborough.

Horses on the line at Doncaster as well over the weekend - animal incursions are fairly common, although this level of damage to a train is more unusual.

 

[MichaelJP59]

All signifincatly disruptive incidents are reviewed by NR and the affected TOCs as a 'lessons learnt' exercise for future incidents of a similar nature. However, this is very different and much more straigtforward than an RAIB investigation following a more serious incident.

GC 1A69 struck a deer in the same sort of area the week previous and was delayed 90mins after damage to the train required attention from the Driver at Peterborough.

Horses on the line at Doncaster as well over the weekend - animal incursions are fairly common, although this level of damage to a train is more unusual.

Are the reports accessible by the public, as all the aviation industry reports are, for the benefit of all?

Animal incursions of course can often be a simple case of ensuring fence and boundary integrity. I guess this is done on a very regular basis.

 

[ainsworth74]

Are the reports accessible by the public, as all the aviation industry reports are, for the benefit of all?

Reports by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch can be found here and reports from earlier accidents can often be found here.

 

[wensley]

Are the reports accessible by the public, as all the aviation industry reports are, for the benefit of all?

Animal incursions of course can often be a simple case of ensuring fence and boundary integrity. I guess this is done on a very regular basis.

Unfortunately not, they're used internally only. Common practice is for a teleconference to be called between NR and TOCs and issues discussed with action generated for relevant owners.

As for fencing checks, they do take place, and after an animal incursion the local MOM is normally tasked with checking the boundary is secure and trying to locate the access point so it can be attended to!

 

[class 9]

Really!
So what are you going to do to release the brakes because the main res governer won't let them release!
Please post your evidence that it is possible to isolate the main res and get the train moving because (as a driver trying to be polite) that sounds like absolute tosh to me!

Assisting loco operates the AFT cock enabling the main res to be fed via the brake pipe.
Also vast majority of freight operates single piped..... Tosh? I don't think so.

 

[455driver]

So the main res is still fed just from the brake pipe, you posted that the main res would be isolated which is not the case.

 

[BestWestern]

It is eye opening how much damage can be caused so several hundred tons of train by a stray beastie. Indeed even an unfortunate collision with one of the human variety cam cause damage in a particularly unlucky situation. And of course we've seen more than once the potentially catastrophic results of hitting a couple of tons of cow at speed. With regard to damage disabling a train, with the limited contingency resources available and the massive distuption caused by a train sitting down on a main line somewhere, one does wonder how much consideration is given in modern train design to 'damage-proofing' these seemingly vulnerable areas to attempt to reduce the consequences of hitting obstructions.