Fire at Laira Depot (17/04)

[uvarvu]

The Evening Herald is reporting that a fire took place at Laira this morning, it started on one of the HSTs. Hope there wasn't any major damage.

http://m.plymouthherald.co.uk/fire-...-early-hours/story-30275048-detail/story.html

A fire broke out on board a high-speed train inside a Plymouth railway shed in the early hours of Easter Monday.

Four fire crews spent hours on the scene in Mullet Road, Laira, after flames were spotted coming from the shed at about 2.39am.

The blaze, which has been deemed accidental, damaged the shed's roof and the train's traction unit.

A spokesperson for Greenbank fire service told The Herald: "It took us a couple of hours to resolve as it was awkward to get to, but there is little damage to the train - it was mainly the roof above the train which was damaged.

"They were servicing it as it had been travelling up and down the tracks all evening.

"Its hard to say exactly what would have started it, I think it would be to do with overheating in the engine....

 

[PHILIPE]

The Evening Herald is reporting that a fire took place at Laira this morning, it started on one of the HSTs. Hope there wasn't any major damage.

http://m.plymouthherald.co.uk/fire-...-early-hours/story-30275048-detail/story.html

Power Car 43195, but don't know the extent of the damage or the cause at this stage

 

[sprinterguy]

Well the exhausts on them could certainly get a bit 'lively' (see attached image) back in Valenta days, but I didn't think that had been an issue since they were MTU fitted.

 

[GW43125]

I've heard on social media that fast food packaging was found in the vicinity of the engine, which could have contributed to it.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

What's the part that's most likely broken (presumably a part of the engine), resulting in the fire?

 

[43096]

Well the exhausts on them could certainly get a bit 'lively' (see attached image) back in Valenta days, but I didn't think that had been an issue since they were MTU fitted.

You couldn't be more wrong. More of an issue with fires now than there was back in Valenta days.

 

[sprinterguy]

You couldn't be more wrong. More of an issue with fires now than there was back in Valenta days.

Well well, that's news to me - I'll readily admit my error if that's the case.

 

[Cowley]

You couldn't be more wrong. More of an issue with fires now than there was back in Valenta days.

Why's that then 43096? Do the MTUs run at a higher temperature?

 

[richw]

Fire brigade media spokesperson reported most damage was to the building roof, but no visible damage to the train, although he expects some engine service required

 

[Spartacus]

Suspected injector failure from what I can gather. My first thoughts were that a birds' nest in either the exhaust or roof vent might have caused it, something not unknown in the past, though it's usually something that only starts to be a problem after being stood for a while.

 

[43096]

Why's that then 43096? Do the MTUs run at a higher temperature?

It's largely been due to the temperature the turbos run at, and it was in notch 3 (rather than in notch 5 as you'd expect) that the biggest issues were experienced with.

There were some serious fires early on in the MTU programme, which saw some go back to Brush for repair. 43025, in particular, was seriously damaged; reported as the most serious fire damage a power car has ever had.

 

[Temple Meads]

I've heard on social media that fast food packaging was found in the vicinity of the engine, which could have contributed to it.

That was almost certainly a joke!

 

[GW43125]

That was almost certainly a joke!

I'll get my coat, let myself out, and shut the door behind me.

 

[Cowley]

It's largely been due to the temperature the turbos run at, and it was in notch 3 (rather than in notch 5 as you'd expect) that the biggest issues were experienced with.

There were some serious fires early on in the MTU programme, which saw some go back to Brush for repair. 43025, in particular, was seriously damaged; reported as the most serious fire damage a power car has ever had.

Thanks for that. Would it be that notch 3 was allowing carbon to build up and ignite whereas in 5 it would be running hotter and would be producing a nice clean exhaust maybe?
I must admit I hadn't heard about 43025 being damaged like that, I'll look it up later.

 

[GW43125]

Thanks for that. Would it be that notch 3 was allowing carbon to build up and ignite whereas in 5 it would be running hotter and would be producing a nice clean exhaust maybe?
I must admit I hadn't heard about 43025 being damaged like that, I'll look it up later.

I heard there was a similar issue with the deltics-solution to an exhaust fire was thrash it to buggery!

 

[No Fault Found]

Was it 43025 that had the fire that was believe it or not, down to a coolant leak? I believe coolant had leaked onto the turbo and ignited.

 

[37038]

43195 already out on test from LA