Ice isn't the cause of poor rail conditions. There has been no ice over the past few days.
In steam days vegetation which causes the problems was cut back so caused less of a problem.
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"Poor rail conditions" meaning?
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Ice isn't the cause of poor rail conditions. There has been no ice over the past few days.
In steam days vegetation which causes the problems was cut back so caused less of a problem.
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R
RailUK Forums
As mentioned ice is not commonly the problem - steam engines (top of my head thinking) are like 'big bang' GP motorbikes - they deliver pulses of torque which allow some time per rotation for the driven wheels to grip - modern traction delivers continuous torque and a continuous problem.
From what I understand the RHTT's routes have allocated areas which may involve water jetting & applying adhesion modifier, or just one or the other and some areas obviously will be allocated nothing. It will likely be taken from previous years figures on performance. So some areas might have their treatment upped others may find it reduced.
The other thing is one or other of the modules may fail so only one type of treatment is happening.
The other thing is one or other of the modules may fail so only one type of treatment is happening.
tsr
Established Member
Be thankful they haven't had to switch from leaf clearance to deicing in about 3 minutes*, which is what I seem to remember happened at the start of last winter. IIRC, a load of leaves were blown onto lines in rather damp conditions, followed by a very severe frost (or similar).
My comments apply specifically to the area South of London, but I think similar effects may have been seen elsewhere.
*It obviously didn't actually work that quickly. At all.
My comments apply specifically to the area South of London, but I think similar effects may have been seen elsewhere.
*It obviously didn't actually work that quickly. At all.
I thought it must have been cold enough for ice but it must all be leaf related then or are there other non ice related poor conditions affecting trains.
Can they change route's based on recent data or do they need to plan months in advance?
They may have applied treatment on the reading to Gatwick line and it's failed to work. Are all passenger lines considered for treatment based on weather or do they take passenger numbers into account as well?
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Can they change route's based on recent data or do they need to plan months in advance?
They may have applied treatment on the reading to Gatwick line and it's failed to work. Are all passenger lines considered for treatment based on weather or do they take passenger numbers into account as well?
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Eagle
Established Member
Light rain can be a problem, as it forms a layer of droplets on the rail surface which can reduce grip. Heavier rain (somewhat counterintuitively) is less of a problem, as there's enough water for it to form a film and run off the railheads.
(Of course when you get really heavy rain, that's a different kind of problem entirely.)
L&Y Robert
Member
This thread is running parallel to another called "Rail and Wheel Design" in 'Infrastructure and Stations', where I've just posted a, er - post about it.
Mods, do we need to tidy this up?
Mods, do we need to tidy this up?
I don't remember thefe being any lght rain this morning or heavy wing you bring down leaves, yet trains were running late and I'm sure it had to be poor rail conditions, given the different lines involved.
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Not sure whereabouts you are but the fog this morning in many parts of the country can have a similar effect to light drizzle. Plentiful tiny droplets of moisture on the running rails.
This time of year the leaves don't just need heavy wind to come down. Plus early morning before the sun has had a chance to 'work it's magic' and start drying the rails you get all the moisture from overnight laying on the rails to.
This time of year you don't need noticeable weather like the couple of storms we have had to cause problems. Plus the water jetting trains are being withdrawn at the moment and that makes a huge difference if one hasn't been out.
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