Eurostar accident

[Oswyntail]

.... You can't have it so anyone can pull the lever and automatically apply the brakes in the middle of the channel tunnel.

Why should that be different from anywhere else?

 

[Barrett M95]

Why should that be different from anywhere else?

In the UK, there is an emergency door release. If activated by a passenger while the train is moving, this initiates an automatic emergency brake application, (and traction interlock prevents traction being taken if the train is stationary) but the door itself will not unlock and open until the speed drops below 5km/h (for newer stock). During this time, the instructions posted on the train next to the door ask the passenger initiating the emergency stop to talk to the driver. This gives the driver the information he/she may need to evaluate the situation further.

On 373 - the train is designed to a myriad of channel tunnel regulations dating back from the early ninties. One of which is a desire that a passenger activated door release does not automatically initiate an emergency brake application - thus the driver maintains control of the train (important in the tunnel) - although they are aware that a door has been opened. This is common to TGV's incidentally - the french philosophy is that if someone is determined enough to jump from a moving train, they accept the consequences because there is more emphasis placed (in Belgium too particularly) on making sure that passengers can always get OUT in the event of fire etc. This is seen as more important than trying to prevent the rare case of a potentially suicidal/crazy/desperate person from wanting to jump from a moving train. After all, they can do this if they really want to by using the emergency hammer and smashing a window too - and that also applies to UK trains.

In short - this is no malfunction of the train, it is a result of complex international and IGC regulations.

 

[ileikcaek]

What made me laugh was the BBC South East Today report says the eurostar goes up to speeds of 124mph

 

[Barrett M95]

What made me laugh was the BBC South East Today report says the eurostar goes up to speeds of 124mph

It's true. Only, it keeps on going from there...

 

[Tracky]

After all, they can do this if they really want to by using the emergency hammer and smashing a window too - and that also applies to UK trains.

Can they, or have they been removed...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
And even if it was on fire, I would wait for it to get below 3mph before trying to alight...

 

[Nym]

plenty of hammers, last time I saw one used the conductor was made aware when it was, as was I suspect, the driver. (Stupid O Clock MAN - MIA).

But TBH I don't see that many passengers knowing how to use a hammer, especially around the 'officeland' worker belts.

 

[jon0844]

Thanks for all the explanations about how different trains work with regards to the emergency door releases. I totally agree that you don't modify the entire working of a train, that was made before certain regulations, for the sake of someone determined to kill themselves (by their stupidity).

Hopefully this death will serve as a reminder to others and we won't see it happen again for another 15-20 years.

 

[mallard]

And even if it was on fire, I would wait for it to get below 3mph before trying to alight...

The problem is that the more complex the system is (it's now got to be connected to some form of speedometer, etc.) the more likely it is to fail or otherwise malfunction. You really don't want the doors to refuse to open when the train is on fire!

I suppose you could have a "fail-safe" speed interlock by mounting a small dynamo on one of the axles that powers an electromagnetic lock though, but I bet it's not done that way. Probably some overcomplicated and error-prone computer system involved.

Personally, I say keep them as simple as possible. Just a release that unlocks the door and severs the brake pipe will do. Failing that, the hammer to the window approach works well.

It's a shame that the "powers that be" seem to think that people can't be trusted with unlocked doors on trains anymore, despite that being the status quo for ~150 years... Wonderful how the idea of personal responsibility seems to be a quaint memory in today's dumbed-down society isn't it?