Southern Rail hit by delay... on road

[Mikey C]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-38400214

Southern Rail faced some unexpected delays - when a lorry transporting one of its carriages got stuck while trying to turn a corner at a crossroads.

Eyewitness Luke Alexander said the 20m (66ft) electric unit became "wedged" against a traffic light in Crystal Palace, south London.

Mr Alexander, who works near the junction, said he had been alerted by a "commotion" outside at about 20:20 GMT.

The lorry was freed after 30 minutes to applause from onlookers, he said.

Traffic on the junction between Gipsy Hill, Westow Hill, Westow Street and Central Hill had been blocked while the rail carriage was stuck.

Mr Alexander described the junction as "a pretty tight squeeze".

But he said onlookers took the delay in "good spirit" and broke into "huge applause" when the lorry finally managed to turn the corner....

Is it common for units to be transported like this through London?

 

[matt_world2004]

It seems highly foolish to have done this at 8:35 pm usually its post midnight these moves are done.

 

[AndyPJG]

New style of Rail Replacement Bus? Put the whole coach onto the road rather than just the passengers?

As an aside, I assume it's the Eastbourne fire damaged coach on its way to Derby?

 

[hwl]

It seems highly foolish to have done this at 8:35 pm usually its post midnight these moves are done.

Used to be done 5am on weekend mornings from Selhurst. The alternative route left turn at Crown Point is equally as bad also due to street furniture.

 

[hwl]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-38400214

Is it common for units to be transported like this through London?

Yes lots of the early 377/5 units went back to Derby from Selhurst just not on weekday evenings.
Also road deliveries to/from Wimbledon.

 

[Mikey C]

What route do they take? The location of the photo is north of Selhurst so it looks like it's going through central London, whereas I'd have thought it would be easier to go south towards the M25?

 

[hwl]

What route do they take? The location of the photo is north of Selhurst so it looks like it's going through central London, whereas I'd have thought it would be easier to go south towards the M25?

North from Selhurst (to avoid weight restrictions on Railway over bridges on the more direct routes to the west or southeast to the M25) on A213 then A212 or A215 then left turn (west) on to the A214 either "there" or at Crown Point to later get on the A23 south at the Streatham Common North* (A214) / Streatham High Road (A23) Junction, then down the A23 to M25. The route avoids railway over bridges most of which in the area weren't designed for heavy loads by LBSCR (and SER)

*the road /common not the station of that name!

 

[trainmania100]

As an aside, I assume it's the Eastbourne fire damaged coach on its way to Derby?

That would be my guess too, you can see marks above the interior walkthrough door

 

[RichardKing]

That would be my guess too, you can see marks above the interior walkthrough door

Indeed it is 78842.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Why don't they send these by rail - surely it's much easier and cheaper to call up a loco and find a path?

I can understand it if the coach was owned by a preserved railway, but it isn't - so what's the reason for doing it this way?

 

[Muzer]

If it's fire-damaged, maybe it was in no fit state to be moved at speed?

 

[Mikey C]

North from Selhurst (to avoid weight restrictions on Railway over bridges on the more direct routes to the west or southeast to the M25) on A213 then A212 or A215 then left turn (west) on to the A214 either "there" or at Crown Point to later get on the A23 south at the Streatham Common North* (A214) / Streatham High Road (A23) Junction, then down the A23 to M25. The route avoids railway over bridges most of which in the area weren't designed for heavy loads by LBSCR (and SER)

*the road /common not the station of that name!

Thanks, what a palaver!

 

[Domh245]

Why don't they send these by rail - surely it's much easier and cheaper to call up a loco and find a path?

I can understand it if the coach was owned by a preserved railway, but it isn't - so what's the reason for doing it this way?

If it's fire-damaged, maybe it was in no fit state to be moved at speed?

As we saw when it moved from Eastbourne to Selhurst, it is capable of moving at speed, but I think the issue here is that they just wanted to move the single fire damaged carriage (so that they can at least still keep the unit in service as a 3 car), for which I don't think there would be any coupling adaptor in existence.

 

[xc170]

Always wondered why when they send trains by road, why they take routes like this, I don't know the area, but I'm sure they could have taken a better route.

 

[30907]

Always wondered why when they send trains by road, why they take routes like this, I don't know the area, but I'm sure they could have taken a better route.

That was my first reaction, but HWL's post earlier explains - weight-restricted bridges. Not to mention a 15' 9" height restriction at Selhurst station if you try and turn left out of the depot! It has presumably been done before successfully.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

As we saw when it moved from Eastbourne to Selhurst, it is capable of moving at speed, but I think the issue here is that they just wanted to move the single fire damaged carriage (so that they can at least still keep the unit in service as a 3 car), for which I don't think there would be any coupling adaptor in existence.

Ah, okay, thanks for this.

I suppose a length of bungy cord wouldn't be suitable, would it?

 

[dgl]

Ah, okay, thanks for this.

I suppose a length of bungy cord wouldn't be suitable, would it?

Bungy cord? they're professionals down there, silver gaff tape or cable ties it is then, or they would have just wrapped a long ratchet strap around the whole consist and called it a day.

 

[ChathillMan]

Just when you think it can't get any more embarrassing, it does!

I look forward to see how Southern cock up our maritime services next

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Bungy cord? they're professionals down there, silver gaff tape or cable ties it is then, or they would have just wrapped a long ratchet strap around the whole consist and called it a day.

Ah, yes, I can see the hallmark of real professionals there!

 

[urpert]

Just when you think it can't get any more embarrassing, it does!

I look forward to see how Southern cock up our maritime services next

Well, Newhaven - Dieppe's not what it used to be...