Kirklees Light Railway

[9K43]

Quite recently the KLR had an incident where the fuseable plug on a boiler went.
THe driver and person I/C had no idea what to do.
http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/loca...t-at-kirklees-light-railway-86081-29158846/2/

This is a report in a local newspaper about the incident.

 

[umontu]

You've linked to page 2, the more detailed section is on page 1.
http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/loca...ent-at-kirklees-light-railway-86081-29158846/

Sounds worrying and unsettling.

 

[9K43]

You've linked to page 2, the more detailed section is on page 1.
http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/loca...ig its heavy and if it hits you it does hurt.

 

[umontu]

Agreed. I think the line's future will be at risk now.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

To put matters into perspective for those who do not know of this line, it is a 15 inch gauge line covering a distance of 3.5 miles, which has the 511 yard long Shelley Woodhouse tunnel which is the longest tunnel in Britain used by 15 inch gauge trains.

When one considers the size of the boilers concerned, what will be the immediate effect of this very dangerous incident. Will an immediate cessassation of all services be ordered by a statutary body, subject to the findings of an enquiry?

 

[9K43]

If the RAIB are going to do something, they have not done anything yet, as the trains have been running all week.
This Railway was the brain child of Brian Taylor, with the help of Ann Taylor MP, who helped steer the Light Railway Order through Parliament.
The track bed is owned by the Local Authority and rented back at a peppercorn rent.

 

[HitlersTash]

Agreed. I think the line's future will be at risk now.

I find it hard to believe that the KLR will be affected by this incident.

The professionalism and friendliness of this railway are second to none.

With regard to earlier comments, the line was open and busy as ever on our last visit at the weekend.

Those commenting should pay a visit before mouthing off, and ruining its reputation!!!

 

[9K43]

I find it hard to believe that the KLR will be affected by this incident.

The professionalism and friendliness of this railway are second to none.

With regard to earlier comments, the line was open and busy as ever on our last visit at the weekend.

Those commenting should pay a visit before mouthing off, and ruining its reputation!!!

I stand by my observations in past posts, And I put my money where my mouth is.
For incidents to happen as mentioned, it shows how good these people are at running a railway.
The reputation is lost by what has happened.
They should stick to playing trains , it might be a lot safer for all concerned.

It would shock you to know how well I do know this railway.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The incident that occurred was a very serious matter. I shall be interested to read the report of the enquiry.

 

[HitlersTash]

I stand by my observations in past posts, And I put my money where my mouth is.
For incidents to happen as mentioned, it shows how good these people are at running a railway.
The reputation is lost by what has happened.
They should stick to playing trains , it might be a lot safer for all concerned.

It would shock you to know how well I do know this railway.

Playing trains? what are you talking about!?!?! You sound like a very patronising, arrogant individual.

If you knew the railway as claimed, you would therefore know what a great set up they have. As far as their reputation- staff mentioned being busier than ever in August, so i am afraid you are wrong.

I have never heard any bad reports prior to this incident so this must be an isolated occurance.

The KLR are doing the right thing in working with the RIAB to get to the bottom of this, their honesty and integrity should be respected.

Regards - Staunch supporter and customer of KLR

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Interesting that your account was suspended at Nat Pres isn't it HitlersTash? And your only post was on the Kirklees incident over there. Same as your only posts are on the Kirklee's incident here. I wonder if you are more than what you say you are.

Oh, by the way, it's RAIB. Not RIAB.

Any engine driver should know what to do when a fusible plug drops. So should the PIC-Railway.

 

[umontu]

so this must be an isolated occurance.

Oh that's fine then I'm sure. Jeez you're a poor troll.

 

[HitlersTash]

Interesting that your account was suspended at Nat Pres isn't it HitlersTash? And your only post was on the Kirklees incident over there. Same as your only posts are on the Kirklee's incident here. I wonder if you are more than what you say you are.

Oh, by the way, it's RAIB. Not RIAB.

Any engine driver should know what to do when a fusible plug drops. So should the PIC-Railway.

Yes i have registered on both these sites to defend the KLR (ralphchadkirk your detective skills are impressive, the new Miss Marple perhaps??). I am merely a customer of the railway, and will continue to be so.

However i seem outnumbered by those insistant on critising them.

Again i am confident the KLR will follow the right and proper course of action after this incident.

 

[ChrisCooper]

Funny how people are taking such notice of a sensational report in a local rag when usually these will be dismissed out of hand. I think it's best to wait for the RAIB to publish their investigation into the event before speculating. Also those who think the RAIB will shut down the railway clearly don't have a clue how the RAIB works. They have no power in that respect, they can only make recommendations.
This is not the first time a heritage railway has had an incident that the RAIB has investigated, and won't be the last, yet not a single railway has been closed due to these things. Some have been potentially serious. One was fatal.

 

[9K43]

Yes i have registered on both these sites to defend the KLR (ralphchadkirk you obviously have the time to notice such things). I am merely a customer of the railway, and will continue to be so.

However i seem outnumbered by those insistant on critising them.

Again i am confident the KLR will follow the right and proper course of action after this incident.

They could start by having training for those who were involved so if this type of incident happens again, this time they could manage it in a proper safe manner.
These people are carrying passengers and they need to know whats going on is safe.
They should stop playing at trains and work in a safe manner.
End of.

 

[ChrisCooper]

They could start by having training for those who were involved so if this type of incident happens again, this time they could manage it in a proper safe manner.
These people are carrying passengers and they need to know whats going on is safe.
They should stop playing at trains and work in a safe manner.
End of.

I'm sure the RAIB will make recommendations regarding training and procedures, as they do for all incidents.

Would I be right in thinking you have a personal vendetta against this particular railway, as you are very harsh with criticism of them, particularly this assertion that they are "playing trains"? I don't get that impression from what I have read of the RAIBs initial statement into the incident, just that in this case an incident was not handled as well as it should have been. This is true of many other incidents the RAIB deals with, both on the mainline, light rail and heritage railways.

 

[Yew]

Could someone explain what a disable plug is? And why it's bad?

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Could someone explain what a disable plug is? And why it's bad?

A fusible plug is in the crown plate of the firebox, extending into the water space above. If the water in the boiler drops below a certain level the temperature rises and leads to the risk of explosion. The fusible plug is designed to melt at a specific temperature, releasing steam into the firebox. It's not designed to put the fire out, or release the steam pressure - it just serves as a warning.

The driver and fireman should notice it and drop the fire immediately and fill the boiler with water quickly to prevent a catastrophic failure of the boiler.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I think it's best to wait for the RAIB to publish their investigation into the event before speculating.

Does anyone know of the date when the RAIB will be holding their investigation?

 

[ChrisCooper]

Does anyone know of the date when the RAIB will be holding their investigation?

No. It will be an ongoing thing and they will publish when they are ready. If it's straightforward it could be pretty soon, if not it could be a long time (they still have 3 investigations from a year or more ago). I imagine this will be one of the quicker ones, but even then it's unlikely to be that quick, a few months I imagine.