Tangmere's broken...

[Eagle]

Broken down train east of Parkstone causing delays on the lower SWML.

Bit of research shows that it's the RTC's Capital Christmas Express from Weymouth to London Paddington hauled by 34067 Tangmere.

 

[341o2]

I came here to see any news having waited at Sway and gave up. The 1027 departure has been cancelled and I was told by SWT that there were slippery rails at Parkstone which was causing the problem.

SWT site details that delays are expected in the area until 1300hrs, slippery rails were the problem, as Tangmere lost adhesion and came to a standstill, the unrebuilt Bullied pacifics had a reputation for being less than sure footed, and a diesel had to be summoned to get the train moving

 

[Ciderking]

Went through Eastleigh about 12.00 sounding good.

 

[341o2]

good to hear that, pity to miss it, but could not justify hanging around without knowing for definite what had happened.

With cancellations to the special 22 & 28 Nov. there is only the 5th Dec. Bath Christmas market due to run this year through Brockenhurst, though I may go to Winchester to see Tornado 10th Dec. Does this train run ECS to Eastliegh, is it worth going there?

And to add that 19th December 34046 was originally Eastliegh - London - Worcester, now only London - Worcester

 

[Phil6219]

slippery rails were the problem, as Tangmere lost adhesion and came to a standstill, the unrebuilt Bullied pacifics had a reputation for being less than sure footed, and a diesel had to be summoned to get the train moving

And in a slightly related note LMS 6201 "Princess Elizabeth" suffered from severely low adhesion in the North West having got stuck in the Blackburn area whilst they resolved the issue (apparently assistance entailed treating the track) and it got moving 88 minutes late (having also had to have its booked water stop). Then for a still unknown reason actually stopped at Wigan North Western, a bonus beyond words for us (especially myself since she stopped perfectly in frame)...

When she departed there was a brief slip of the wheels but that was to be expected as it was below freezing and we had just encountered a strong rain shower.

Video at Wigan if anyone's interested

On the subject of slippery rails a guard I'm friends with mentioned the 150s & 156s he had been working that day seemed to be suffering from wheelslips most of the day. Though to be fair the temperature had been loitering around the zero mark all day, add a drop of rain and bingo - fast frozen rails...

Phil

 

[theblackwatch]

I was travelling on 6201 yesterday, so just to add a couple of things:

- As a result of a Northern service being 12 minutes late (presumably due to adhesion problems, as it had departed Clitheroe on time), 6201 was held at Whalley. This meant the loco had to tackle a climb from a standing start - I suspect that had we had a clear run, there wouldn't have been a problem. We slipped to a stand and eventually got going after the support crew hand sanded the track on two occasions and thanks to some very skillful driving. There is a video of the re-start at http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4SSHqYh2VA0 . I was in the back coach at the time, and even from there it was rather loud!

- Because the tour was running late, it made connections difficult for those alighting at Crewe and heading back north. To assist those passengers, an extra stop was arranged at Wigan.

 

[341o2]

I'm reminded of the incident on the Gunnislake branch where there is an ungated level crossing on a steep incline. Up to, and including the first generation DMU's had sanding faclilties. then along came a new generation with anti slip devices.

the Cornish mizzle defeated the train, and after the debacle, a most important modification was applied in the form of one shovel and one bucket of sand

 

[Phil6219]

I was travelling on 6201 yesterday, so just to add a couple of things:

Interesting, thanks for that info.

It was a good idea and a nice bit of on the fly planning to arrange that stop, getting stuck at Crewe these days isn't worth contemplating (unlike days gone by where it would have been fun).

a most important modification was applied in the form of one shovel and one bucket of sand

When we did the last B exam on the Class 14 we reinstated the sanding equipment (and a right 'rse of a job too), it worked a treat and due to some locos moving on it would be the only diesel with working sanders. The plan would be to run it out in the morning and as required to keep the lines in reasonable nick. Guess what's only gone and happened? Bleeding things broken and won't be moving for quite some time.

Time to give the secondman a shovel, bucket of sand & a winter coat so he doesn't freeze whilst sitting on the nose of a 20 whilst sanding the rails as they move along

That video was fantastic, though someone really should get a talking to for allowing a late running local to hold up a steam special at the bottom of such an incline with icy rails prevalent... It is a prime example of a driver who knows how to handle his loco. I actually feel a bit gutted I didn't get to experience that one myself :/

Phil

 

[D2022]

And in a slightly related note LMS 6201 "Princess Elizabeth" suffered from severely low adhesion in the North West having got stuck in the Blackburn area whilst they resolved the issue (apparently assistance entailed treating the track) and it got moving 88 minutes late (having also had to have its booked water stop). Then for a still unknown reason actually stopped at Wigan North Western, a bonus beyond words for us (especially myself since she stopped perfectly in frame)...

When she departed there was a brief slip of the wheels but that was to be expected as it was below freezing and we had just encountered a strong rain shower.

Video at Wigan if anyone's interested

On the subject of slippery rails a guard I'm friends with mentioned the 150s & 156s he had been working that day seemed to be suffering from wheelslips most of the day. Though to be fair the temperature had been loitering around the zero mark all day, add a drop of rain and bingo - fast frozen rails...

Phil

Call me daft but whatever happened to the old days of sandboxes?