Engines kept running while at a stand

[trainophile]

Been sat on a LM at Ledbury for over 40 minutes while they check the track at Malvern, and the engine has been running the whole time. It's starting to make me feel sick.

Is there a reason they don't switch it off, especially once they know there's going to be a substantial delay?

 

[Nestor]

Heating & Air con require power!

 

[trainophile]

Oh fair enough. Going to be another hour apparently as replacing a broken rail .

 

[Cherry_Picker]

Air too. Not sure what particular unit you are on, but if you are a driver and are waiting to be given the road then you better be ready when it is handed over.


- Go on then drive, off you go mate.

- Just give me five minutes, this thing has only got two bar of air in the main res.

 

[broadgage]

As well as the need for compressed air and power for heating and air conditioning, another reason for not stopping an engine is the slight fear that it might not start again !
Not really that likely, but an awful lot of diesel fuel can be purchased for the cost of the delay minutes inccured of a loco or DMU failed to start.

 

[trainophile]

Thanks everyone, I never thought of the obvious!

Journey abandoned as track couldn't be fixed quickly enough so we returned to Hereford. Now on an ATW to Manchester - I'll get to Southport eventually!

Mustn't grumble, we could be in the south west .

 

[O L Leigh]

Air pressures and heat/vent notwithstanding, the real reason is that you cannot immobilise a train on the running line, never mind shutting down the engines. You can only do this at certain locations such as stations, depots and stabling points unless specifically instructed otherwise.

O L Leigh

 

[trainophile]

We were at a station (Ledbury), but as it is on a single track section I suppose immobilising a train would be a no no, for understandable reasons.

At least the doors weren't locked, so people could escape the vibrations for a while if it got too much. It was not knowing how much longer we'd be stuck there that added to the discomfort. It also highlighted the lack of available refreshments on LM trains. The two lads in front of me who were on their way to a football match nearly ran out of Budweiser!

 

[merlodlliw]

When class 57s pulled the "Wag Express" between Holyhead & Cardiff,the 57s were left idling all night at Holyhead due to start up problems.