Rear Ended 159 at Exeter and some sunny 67s

[Stacey]

Started the day off going to Barn Owl Bridge between Newton Abbot and Torre for a sunny shot of 67016 leading towards Paignton: http://staceys-fots.fotopic.net/p62803921.html
Did the return at Langstone Rock (glint): http://staceys-fots.fotopic.net/p62803923.html and (away): http://staceys-fots.fotopic.net/p62803925.html

Then in the evening at Exeter St Davids the 1927 SWT to London Waterloo formed of 159022 leading 159010 got rear ended by 142029. Neither unit had an discernable damage and looked fine. They were separated and later at 2147 the SWT left. The original service was restarted from Yeovil Junction and the crime scene at Exeter was released around 2115 or so.
Got a couple of shots anyway: 142029 and 159 cab: http://staceys-fots.fotopic.net/p62803929.html
People and cabs: http://staceys-fots.fotopic.net/p62803927.html
and (perhaps exchanging insurance details...?!! LOL ): http://staceys-fots.fotopic.net/p62803977.html

Happy New Year Everybody!!

 

[DepotCat]

You're lucky that the copper didn't stop & search you under Section 44...:roll:...

 

[Stacey]

Well, to start with there was a questioning as to why the camera was out and we weren't allowed to go to the other end of the 142 either. He said that shots could be grabbed after the scene had been released. (Which he said could be a while) - waited about a bit and as soon as it had, out came the camera
True though, didn't want to be searched though they had other things on their mind, and a lot of the staff present I recognised (esp SWT) as it's my depot station

 

[visibleimagery]

So what happened here then?

Surely the driver wouldn't have been stupid enough to do this and a failure would be the likely cause?

Thanks for this by the way Stacey, I created a link earlier to see if anyone knew about this?

 

[Stacey]

Well, this isn't 100% as I was just speaking to the SWT driver, he said that he was sat in 159022 at the front when the 142 came in and just hit the 159s sending them moving 3-4ft. Bear in mind that a 3 coach 159 is (I think) 140tonnes so that's 280tonnes shunted 3-4ft... we'll have to wait and see officially though mind...

 

[royaloak]

So the SWT driver was sat 6 coaches away, facing the wrong direction and saw the donkey coming in too fast and still ended up with whiplash?
If the brakes on the 159 were in full service and the train was shunted 3-4ft, you would expect to see more damage to both units as the couplings would fold up absorbing most of the impact, be interesting to see the download from the donkey then all will be revealed.

159s weigh about 35.5 tonnes per coach so 106.5 per 3 coach set.

 

[visibleimagery]

Either way, it will be interesting to see what the outcome is?

All, thanks again for the info...

 

[DriverPumba]

159008 not 022

 

[mbonwick]

RAIB are apparently doing their nut that they weren't informed sooner (they were only told lunchtime today), that the units were separated, and released back into traffic.

 

[45378]

Glad to see no injuries but a pity that the Pacer fleet wasn't reduced.
Are we going to be stuck with these dreadful things forever.....

Rgds 45378

 

[louis97]

according to my cousin who works for BTP, the driver was braking, but nothing happened!

 

[royaloak]

Glad to see no injuries but a pity that the Pacer fleet wasn't reduced.

Oh yeah much better having no train at all rather than a pacer :roll: