HOOOOONK - train cancelled!

[jopsuk]

Well, that's unusual- via the Virgin Trains Lancaster twitter account

Our 16:14 train to Glasgow central is unfortunately cancelled due to a 'constant horn' Apologies. ^SH

Virgin, constant horn, the jokes write themselves

 

[jon91]

It probably needed to be parked away in a siding somewhere to calm down...

One hell of a reason for a train cancellation though, I can imagine some head scratching on platforms along the WCML.

 

[Strathclyder]

That's a new one on me. Don't think I've heard of a train being cancelled due to 'a constant horn' before.

 

[ushawk]

For the record - the service was this - 1S71 1500 Manchester Airport to Glasgow Central (http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G34643/2014/09/25/advanced)

So Virgin have #ArriveAwesome, it seems TPE now have #ArriveDeaf......

 

[83G/84D]

Used to be quite a frequent occurance on HST's and DMU's in the West Country but not so much now.

I think I recall a Class 47 horn sounding continually a good few years back, but the driver put upo with thye din and the train carried on.

 

[GadgetMan]

Wonder if it may have started off as a constant AWS horn....

 

[1018509]

Well, that's unusual- via the Virgin Trains Lancaster twitter account


.........constant horn,...........

I know the feeling.

Will Virgin get a stiff fine?

 

[Nym]

Well, if the whistle valve jams in one position and you need to operate the isolating cock you can't continue in service as you have no whistle in that cab...

 

[Crossover]

A train I was on in Anglia at the weekend I thought had developed a horn fault - turns out the driver was just giving it a ruddy good blast at someone who walked across the unbarriered side of the closed AHB crossing ahead of us at the station. Saw her stood with her bag unable to pass the next barrier...

 

[fusionblue]

Can you give an ASBO to a train?!

 

[GarethJohn]

Whats wrong with Ear Muffs?

 

[PermitToTravel]

Would it have hypothetically been permissible for them to run it with the horn jammed on?

 

[Welshman]

I seem to remember in one of Harold Gasson's footplate memoirs of a Castle with the whistle valve stuck in the open position.

That was remedied by the fireman climbing on to the boiler and giving the offending valve an almighty bash with the coal hammer.

I don't suppose that's possible these days.

 

[Crossover]

I seem to remember in one of Harold Gasson's footplate memoirs of a Castle with the whistle valve stuck in the open position.

That was remedied by the fireman climbing on to the boiler and giving the offending valve an almighty bash with the coal hammer.

I don't suppose that's possible these days.

I'm sure a hammer would still work. Would probably require PTS though :P

 

[HarleyDavidson]

If you isolate the horns, the train is out of service as the horns are safety critical.

If it happens en-route/in service between stations: Rule Book TW5 Sect.26.3 comes into effect immediately.

26.3 When in service

a) Complete failure

If the warning horn becomes completely defective on a train, you must:

• tell the signaller immediately
• not move the train until instructed to do so
• carry out the instructions given.

If permission is given to proceed, you must make sure the train does not exceed 20 mph.

The train is then removed from service or it can be fixed by a RST or the defective cab is buried (in case of multiple units).

 

[dk1]

If you isolate the horns, the train is out of service as the horns are safety critical.

If it happens en-route/in service between stations: Rule Book TW5 Sect.26.3 comes into effect immediately.

26.3 When in service

a) Complete failure

If the warning horn becomes completely defective on a train, you must:

• tell the signaller immediately
• not move the train until instructed to do so
• carry out the instructions given.

If permission is given to proceed, you must make sure the train does not exceed 20 mph.

The train is then removed from service or it can be fixed by a RST or the defective cab is buried (in case of multiple units).

Exactly. No big deal. Anything can become defective and the rule book must be followed regardless how trivial it seems to a layman.

 

[PermitToTravel]

Shame, I'd have liked to see the train run in that condition!

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Perhaps you may like to explain that to a lawyer acting on behalf of a a PW worker or someone who's legitimately using a foot crossing that you hit & killed, because you hit them and didn't/couldn't sound the warning horns!

 

[BantamMenace]

The point in the horn is to be used to warn of the train's presence. The horn constantly sounding is just constantly performing this use, why should it be deemed unsafe if constantly performing it's roll?

 

[dk1]

The point in the horn is to be used to warn of the train's presence. The horn constantly sounding is just constantly performing this use, why should it be deemed unsafe if constantly performing it's roll?

And who is going to drive the train with the horn blasting constantly?

 

[HarleyDavidson]

The point in the horn is to be used to warn of the train's presence. The horn constantly sounding is just constantly performing this use, why should it be deemed unsafe if constantly performing it's roll?

It's not performing its role, it's defective. By definition to sound a warning to trackworkers, passing through a station platform at high speed to warn passenger standing too close to the edge or even someone who's on a foot crossing, the warning is TWO TONES (H & L).

 

[Carlisle]

Used to be quite a frequent occurance on HST's and DMU's in the West Country but not so much now.

I think I recall a Class 47 horn sounding continually a good few years back, but the driver put upo with thye din and the train carried on.

Yes 47s must have been a bit prone to horns being stuck on as I can remember that issue with at least a couple of them during the 90s

 

[dk1]

It's not performing its role, it's defective. By definition to sound a warning to trackworkers, passing through a station platform at high speed to warn passenger standing too close to the edge or even someone who's on a foot crossing, the warning is TWO TONES (H & L).

Horn sounding constantly also indicated to signallers and others that the train was in distress & possibly was out of control.

 

[edwin_m]

Someone on/crossing the track probably wouldn't be aware of the horn gradually appearing in the distance and getting louder. Certainly much less attention-grabbing than the horn starting suddenly when operated by the driver.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Also you get reported by those who're living next to the railway as well.

 

[muz379]

The point in the horn is to be used to warn of the train's presence. The horn constantly sounding is just constantly performing this use, why should it be deemed unsafe if constantly performing it's roll?

if the valve is stuck so it is only constantly sound one tone and it cant be used to sound the other tone it still isn't performing its function .TW1 lists different horn tones and codes that are to be used in different situations .

For instance how would the driver perform the short high tone blasts needed to warn someone on or near the line in an emergency when the horn is stuck on the low tone ?

 

[BantamMenace]

Understood, thank you all.

Is a horn still classed as defective and would a service be cancelled if only one of the two tones were working then?

 

[driver9000]

Understood, thank you all.

Is a horn still classed as defective and would a service be cancelled if only one of the two tones were working then?

Yes it would still be classed as defective but a train can continue normally with only one tone of the horn working.

 

[Des Iroman]

Would it have hypothetically been permissible for them to run it with the horn jammed on?

It'd be impossible to find a driver to take it like that!

 

[mrpsb]

operate the isolating cock

*spits tea*