Rules for calling at a station during a local power cut

[brad465]

Back in 2009 there was a notable 2-3 day power cut in the Dartford area, due to what was believed to be an attempted cable theft on a National Grid cable bridge that caused a fire. During this time, while the surrounding area had little or no power supply, the ability to run trains was unaffected, as the third rail must have been supplied from outside the area, however until portable generators were brought in, all the affected stations could not sell tickets and drivers had to do lookback at each station.

If something like this were to happen again, would stricter procedures mean this could not be repeated? I suspect DOO trains with platform monitors no longer be allowed to serve affected stations, as lookback now seems to be unacceptable, though onboard cameras must be alright. I'm pretty sure night time calling would be a definite no-no (can't remember if this happened or not in 2009), but would daytime calling be also prohibited for safety reasons?

 

[Mattplans]

There have been some power cuts in the Kent region recently.

Just a couple months of ago there was a power cut at Falconwood, up the line from Dartford. I think some services had that stop cancelled, and ran non-stop through until emergency lighting was secured. I was also on a train at Blackheath (also up the line from Dartford) where the driver told us after stopping that he was contacting the signaller as it was 'a bit dark' at the station. I didn't notice.

A couple weeks back there was also a power cut at Gillingham (now down the line from Dartford!) and services ran through non-stop. Except 2Ks which terminate there probably for crew changes. So I find it a bit peculiar that the power cut prevented all but some services from calling there. I would've expected it to be an all or nothing situation.

And of course, there were some power cuts at Nunhead and Peckham Rye a couple months back as well. Southeastern couldn't call at Peckham Rye (presumably due to the monitor bank being out of action ), Thameslink could, I'm not sure if station lighting were affected. However, station lighting was definitely affected at Nunhead and after sunset all calls there were cancelled.

I think the guidelines about dispatch are generally applied inconsistently. I've witnessed more than one driver at Peckham Rye physically stand on the platform (towards Nunhead) looking back on a sunny day. I can't say if perhaps some cameras on the monitor bank were out of order or it was just too sunny to see well.

At these unstaffed suburban Southeastern stations, the services generally dwell for extra time to support customers alighting. Where the line is drawn between whether it's safe to call (Nunhead) or not, I guess might be the product of a risk assessment or on the spot assessment by a driver.

 

[D6130]

When I was a driver (1991-2012), the clear instruction was that we were not permitted to stop at through stations during the hours of darkness if the platform lighting was not working. Control had to be advised - if not already aware - and alternative arrangements had to be made for passengers intending to join or alight.

 

[Starmill]

If it's known in advance that there's no lighting at all, and the sun has set, but there are no staff at the station, usually the outcome is someone in a van is sent with emergency lights, and the stop gets cancelled until then.

If there are local staff they may have quicker access to some kind of back up lighting.