Forth Rail Bridge trespasser 28/01 - could more be done to improve security?

[Clansman]

Was on the 10:03 Perth to Edinburgh service on Saturday which incurred an hours delay on the Forth Rail bridge due to a trespasser in front of us. It took 5 policemen to carry him down the middle of both tracks along with the company of a Network Rail worker.

It's most likely that the trespasser hopped onto the tracks at Dalmeny station, however, couldn't have this been prevented if there had been barriers in place on the platforms, fences erected between the bridge and the station, and a gate on the platform ends (like newer built stations)?

In light of this, could more be done to improve security on the railways from trespassers, particularly on landmark sections where traffic is heavy such as the Forth Bridge; where trains were pegged back as far as Aberdour/Dunfermline/Haymarket during the hour where the line was plunged into gridlock?

 

[Marklund]

Unless you've got doors that'll open when the train comes, there's nothing that will prevent people from walking on to structures, be it a bridge, or a tunnel.

See Calais and the problems they've had in a much more secure environment.

 

[Clansman]

Unless you've got doors that'll open when the train comes, there's nothing that will prevent people from walking on to structures, be it a bridge, or a tunnel.

See Calais and the problems they've had in a much more secure environment.

I did think of Calais at first, using its security model as a more last resort to improving general railway security. Couldn't imagine an electrified Forth Rail Bridge with barbed wire wrapped round it...

 

[PaulJ]

Who was it? Richard Hannay?

 

[Moonshot]

Was on the 10:03 Perth to Edinburgh service on Saturday which incurred an hours delay on the Forth Rail bridge due to a trespasser in front of us. It took 5 policemen to carry him down the middle of both tracks along with the company of a Network Rail worker.

It's most likely that the trespasser hopped onto the tracks at Dalmeny station, however, couldn't have this been prevented if there had been barriers in place on the platforms, fences erected between the bridge and the station, and a gate on the platform ends (like newer built stations)?

In light of this, could more be done to improve security on the railways from trespassers, particularly on landmark sections where traffic is heavy such as the Forth Bridge; where trains were pegged back as far as Aberdour/Dunfermline/Haymarket during the hour where the line was plunged into gridlock?

A determined trespasser will get on the network - never ceases to amaze me the numbers that get onto Stockport Viaduct in my neck of the woods. There are llimits to what can be done I m afraid...

 

[route:oxford]

Was on the 10:03 Perth to Edinburgh service on Saturday which incurred an hours delay on the Forth Rail bridge due to a trespasser in front of us. It took 5 policemen to carry him down the middle of both tracks along with the company of a Network Rail worker.

It's the Forth Bridge.

There are 3 rail bridges across the Forth.

 

[najaB]

Unless you've got doors that'll open when the train comes...

They'll just walk past the end of the platform.

 

[blackhill]

Was on the 10:03 Perth to Edinburgh service on Saturday which incurred an hours delay on the Forth Rail bridge due to a trespasser in front of us. It took 5 policemen to carry him down the middle of both tracks along with the company of a Network Rail worker.

It's most likely that the trespasser hopped onto the tracks at Dalmeny station, however, couldn't have this been prevented if there had been barriers in place on the platforms, fences erected between the bridge and the station, and a gate on the platform ends (like newer built stations)?

In light of this, could more be done to improve security on the railways from trespassers, particularly on landmark sections where traffic is heavy such as the Forth Bridge; where trains were pegged back as far as Aberdour/Dunfermline/Haymarket during the hour where the line was plunged into gridlock?

Was the 09.56 hst not running?

 

[farci]

It's the Forth Bridge.

There are 3 rail bridges across the Forth.

Are there two more rail crossings of the River Forth? At that location there are twobridges -one rail and the other road. A third bridge (road) opens in May 2017

 

[Scotrail84]

Are there two more rail crossings of the River Forth? At that location there are twobridges -one rail and the other road. A third bridge (road) opens in May 2017

Yes, both are just North of Stirling station, one carries the main line to Perth via Dunblane and other the carries the S and K lines via Alloa to Dunfermline.

 

[signallerscot]

There were folk BASE jumping off it one night the other week. Polis were called but they packed up their parachutes and legged it before they arrived.

 

[AlterEgo]

Are there two more rail crossings of the River Forth? At that location there are twobridges -one rail and the other road. A third bridge (road) opens in May 2017

It'll get confusing if they ever open a fourth.

 

[AndyPJG]

The Second Road Crossing will be the third Forth bridge at this point.

 

[Altnabreac]

The Second Road Crossing will be the third Forth bridge at this point.

I was hoping they would name it the Third Forth Bridge.

 

[Clansman]

I was hoping they would name it the Third Forth Bridge.

or the Fourth Bridge...

 

[PaulLothian]

There were five rail bridges over the Forth! The second largest was the Alloa Bridge (aka The Throsk Viaduct) - (http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/bridges/gallery/alloa.html, which preceded the Forth Bridge.

The four big rail bridges were built in date order going down stream - in essence each formed part of a short cut for the lines that preceded it, in terms of traffic from Fife to south of the river.

There was a fifth Forth Bridge over the upper reaches near Aberfoyle, at Grid ref NS 543 980.

 

[theironroad]

According to one of the Portillo episodes shown on Sunday about the famous Forth rail bridge, it is the only rail bridge in the uk that is not numbered as is apparently known only as 'The Bridge'.

 

[farci]

I was hoping they would name it the Third Forth Bridge.

Had they not lost the franchise we could have had a press release:

Five polis carried a trespasser from the Forth Bridge. one of three crossings near Edinburgh after the second road bridge opens in May - announced First Scotrail

I'll get my coat

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Had they not lost the franchise we could have had a press release:

Five polis carried a trespasser from the Forth Bridge. one of three crossings near Edinburgh after the second road bridge opens in May - announced First Scotrail

I'll get my coat

A First Scotrail spokesman added "I had a sixth sense that something was going to happen tonight, although I'd have been in seventh heaven had it not done so. However, our precautions proved that we were right behind the eight ball, and prevented the man from losing one of his nine lives. I'm now off down the pub for ten pints!"

I'll join you outside with my coat!

 

[Welshman]

A First Scotrail spokesman added "I had a sixth sense that something was going to happen tonight, although I'd have been in seventh heaven had it not done so. However, our precautions proved that we were right behind the eight ball, and prevented the man from losing one of his nine lives. I'm now off down the pub for ten pints!"

I'll join you outside with my coat!

....And when he eventually sobered-up the following morning, it would have been time for elevenses.

[My coat's already on]