Fire on Train Caerphilly

[Robertj21a]

Yes - I've seen it many times and not once has any member of staff shown any interest when it's been mentioned to them... I am guessing on leaky exhaust system joints being very common?

Certainly been a regular sight when I've been at Cardiff Central. The amount of smoke quite surprised me when I first saw one but, as you say, it seemed to be acceptable to the rail staff.

 

[83G/84D]

Don't forget that many DMUs including the Turbostars? Have Webasto Auxiliary underfloor heaters which burns a small amount of diesel to supply heat and to a pre-heat a colder engine in cold weather. They can tend to be a little bit on the smokey side too, more often than not you'll smell it then hear it before you see the smoke from them.

A few signalmen have had trains stopped and examined for what turned out to be smoky heaters. Better to be safe than sorry I suppose. Pictures of the 142 on Canton available on wnxx site.

 

[bramling]

A few signalmen have had trains stopped and examined for what turned out to be smoky heaters. Better to be safe than sorry I suppose.

To be fair, it's a balancing act.

I don't work with DMUs, but the EMUs I work with quite frequently get reports of "smoke" and "smells of burning".

In virtually every case it turns out to be dust drawn in through the heating/cooling system, heavy friction braking, or the brake resistors heating up. As an aside, this then leads to a lot of behind-the-scenes arguing over who pays for the delay, if the rolling stock comes back NDF.

But you can't dismiss a report without investigating, although it's fair to say that reports from "trains" people are taken more seriously than station staff or passengers.

 

[2HAP]

although it's fair to say that reports from "trains" people are taken more seriously than station staff or passengers.

That type of attitude has led to numerous aviation accidents. All reports made in good faith should be investigated, no matter what the source.

 

[edwin_m]

That type of attitude has led to numerous aviation accidents. All reports made in good faith should be investigated, no matter what the source.

The degree of risk is a bit different on a train - it's much less flammable, passengers can be evacuated immediately anywhere if necessary, and it doesn't fall out of the sky if damaged too badly.

 

[83G/84D]

As a member of staff observing trains for a number of years you generally get the feel for what is normal and what is something out of the ordinary requiring further investigation.

 

[Crossover]

If the fire brigade had to take an axe to the floor then surely it's a write off?

I think the floors are only something "basic" like wood under the tactile flooring so probably not a huge job to replace relatively

 

[PHILIPE]

Following info from ATW, the RAIB are not investigating this incident but have confirmed that ATW must continue with their investigations.

 

[broadgage]

Shouldn't this be the final nail in the coffin now to get the 142s at least scrapped ASAP, like right now?
Mind you, apart from their appearance, I don't see how 143s are any better. I was on one earlier this evening, before I found out about this fire but after it had happened, and honestly, the noises that come from Pacers just don't sound safe!
On pulling out of stations, it sounded like the underframe of the 143 was going to separate from the main body.
It's total madness that Wales is locked in to this no growth franchise with ATW for another 2 years and absolutely nothing can be done to get us out of it. Complete and utter madness. :-x

They are horrible so called trains, but I still cant support scrapping them until suitable replacement stock is available.
I would still rather sit on a pacer or similar than stand on a less frequent and therefore more crowded replacement.
Even when new(er) stock becomes available I would support retaining the wretched units for a few years as a reserve for breakdown cover and peak flows.
The fire was no doubt alarming, but let us remember that everyone got out OK.

 

[gareth950]

They are horrible so called trains, but I still cant support scrapping them until suitable replacement stock is available.
I would still rather sit on a pacer or similar than stand on a less frequent and therefore more crowded replacement.
Even when new(er) stock becomes available I would support retaining the wretched units for a few years as a reserve for breakdown cover and peak flows.
The fire was no doubt alarming, but let us remember that everyone got out OK.

Well according to Modern Railways this month the Welsh Govt have no plans to start upgrading any the current Welsh fleet ready for 2020, so I suspect that Wales will become the retirement home for Pacers, not just the ones ATW currently has, but for Pacers from GWR and Northern to by the end of this decade, operating in Wales with mass derogations well into the mid 2020s.

It'll either be that or bustitution on Welsh railways until the new franchise has been going for a few years for improvements to kick in.

 

[PHILIPE]

Well according to Modern Railways this month the Welsh Govt have no plans to start upgrading any the current Welsh fleet ready for 2020, so I suspect that Wales will become the retirement home for Pacers, not just the ones ATW currently has, but for Pacers from GWR and Northern to by the end of this decade, operating in Wales with mass derogations well into the mid 2020s.

It'll either be that or bustitution on Welsh railways until the new franchise has been going for a few years for improvements to kick in.

This has more or less been posted already on this thread:-

www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=137111