School kiddies learn the hard way about NR Safety

[Ascot]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7011805.stm

Basically school children learn what playing with trains are like early to scare them off. Quite interesting...

 

[richa2002]

Why, the hard hats and ear protectors though? Surely if these are needed, they should be issued at every platform in the country where trains pass at 125mph.

 

[Craig]

Standard equipment required for PTS these days I believe.

 

[TheSlash]

Everybody on the infrastructure side is required to wear hard hats when trackside these days. The ear defenders are because it can be quite noisy when you aren't used to it.

 

[ChrisCooper]

I doubt ear protectors are standard PTS equipment, they tend to make hearing approaching trains a little difficult. Oviously they are used when working with loud equipment, but they would either have a built in warning or more often than not the line would be under possetion. You are right about hard hats though, they are pretty much standard PTS equipment now, particularly on electrified lines.

 

[Dennis]

Let's hope this idea doesn't go horribly wrong.......

gives little kiddie a shove

 

[me123]

It seems like a good idea to remind kids that trains go past at such high speeds, but are the safety precautions enough? Let's hope so...

 

[Coxster]

I wonder what the "safe distance from the tracks" is in this case?

 

[Mintona]

Around 10 metres I'd guess.

 

[Max]

Seems like a pretty smart idea. Kids are going to realise the dangers much more if they see them in real life, as opposed to some 'boring old man' coming in to school to tell them about them.

 

[Craig]

as opposed to some 'boring old man' coming in to school to tell them about them.

On a similar note, does anyone remember the Roald Dahl guide to railway safety that was published in the early 90s? I think I still have a copy of it at home somewhere.

 

[don24]

Not only kids who need a lesson, it is also some neds who stand way too close to a passing train on a platform. I really do feel for drivers who have to put up with that everyday.

 

[westcoaster]

think the ear defenders are to protect the littlte ones ears as they are more liable to ear damage as they are young.

 

[Craig]

I doubt ear protectors are standard PTS equipment, they tend to make hearing approaching trains a little difficult.

They don't have to be worn all the time, but should be available if required. They'd generally be used when a lookout was being used or the line was under possession. The PTS rules state that should look both ways at least every 10 seconds. So if you're on a stretch of line with good visibility you'd probably see a train before you heard it (with or without defenders) anyway.

Obviously in this case they're being used so the kids don't end up being deafened as well as shocked.

 

[richa2002]

I would have thought shocking them is the point of it... I'm sure they won't get deafened, never knew 125mph platforms were over 10s only...

 

[Craig]

I would have thought shocking them is the point of it... I'm sure they won't get deafened, never knew 125mph platforms were over 10s only...

I'm aware that the point is to shock them, but I don't think the BTP would want to risk deafening them at the same time. Better to be safe than sorry by wearing the ear defenders.

125mph platforms aren't over 10s only. But there generally aren't groups of young children standing in close proximity to the track when trains are passing :roll:

 

[richa2002]

Was just showing today's namby pamby society really.

 

[D306]

good to get them to know while they're young

 

[Nick W]

Aww look at the little kid flailing

From the video, the safe distance is so great that very few stations with through trains would breach it. But it looks like the kids have got the message so I'm happy.

 

[richa2002]

Looks like they enjoyed themselves too, great day out, even got to see a Fred .

 

[TheSlash]

Where is said video?

 

[richa2002]

On that link to the BBC site in the top right-hand corner.

 

[TheSlash]

Boring. Much more fun up Micheldever with Freightliners coming down the bank at 75mph and Desiros doing 100mph. 8)

 

[Spaceflower]

ECML dangling from the wires. What you have to do is lift your body over the top like a gymnast and hold it for as long as it takes for the GNER KX service to pass underneath. practice on your washing line first before moving up to telegraph lines, then, if youre ready, try the real thing

 

[me123]

From the video on the website, they look to be at jhust the right distance to realise the dangers, yet far away enough to be almost completely safe, which is just the right balance needed for this age group. I had pictures of mothers moaning about the dangers to their kids, but this is a fantastic idea with, seemingly, no significant danger involved.

I 'm sure it will work well. Being close enough to a full speed Pendo to feel the wind in your face would definately be enough to scare me from playing on the tracks (not that I would).

 

[Spaceflower]

tresspassers will be executed

 

[66526]

What could be even better is to actually put a human like dummy on the tracks in the way of a train. Obviously can't do it as it could cause damage etc but maybe on a test track with an old loco like the Network Rail level crossing thing on Top Gear?

 

[Spaceflower]

or line up 100 10p's on the rail with something adjacent, and assess damage later

anyone ever done this or is not the done thing in this politically correct era

 

[FusionRail]

a strategically placed set of 2p's superglued to track can actually derail a train at certain speeds

 

[me123]

I'd make them watch a video of someone being decapitated by a train (simulated, of course). That'd scare 'em.