WCRC served with new Improvement Notice

[gazthomas]

Are you talking about WCRC or Network Rail?

WCRC is the supplier in the examples I gave

 

[Harpo]

WCRC is the supplier in the examples I gave

My point being that neither has an unblemished safety record but on fatalities or serious injury I’m not aware of any at WCRC?

 

[JonathanH]

My point being that neither has an unblemished safety record but on fatalities or serious injury I’m not aware of any at WCRC?

I'm not sure that is a valid consideration. Surely it is events that have or could run the risk of fatalities or serious injury that should be the measure as no one wants those to actually happen.

 

[Harpo]

I'm not sure that is a valid consideration. Surely it is events that run the risk of fatalities or serious injury that should be the measure as no one wants those to actually happen.

My (slightly facetious) point was questioning why WCRC’s previous record on safety should be a loco hire consideration today? At the moment, the only issues on ORR’s radar are WCRC’s passenger door and window management.

 

[UBoot]

I’m so pleased I was able to remember the specials of the 1970s and ‘80s, windows open and heads out of the drop lights, soot, smuts and cinders as we clattered along at 60mph over jointed track.

Being cocooned in the discombobulating air-conditioned stock of many of today’s charters holds no appeal for me.

On Steam specials in Germany, everybody hangs out of the windows. Sun, rain or snow.
Some even have protective goggles!

Lot's of European railways with loco hauled stock have proper openable windows.
The Czech Republic is a complete delight in that respect....

UB

 

[andyjhatton]

Is it the case that European railways have such a generous loading gauge that there's no risk of coming onto contact with structures or oncoming trains?

Or is it a risk that's simply tolerated. Do we have any numbers on how many injuries or fatalities occur through such practices on the continent?

The danger in the UK is not just theoretical, there have been fatalities. Most recently I think the incident on a GWR HST.

 

[50018_Reso]

Is it the case that European railways have such a generous loading gauge that there's no risk of coming onto contact with structures or oncoming trains?

Or is it a risk that's simply tolerated. Do we have any numbers on how many injuries or fatalities occur through such practices on the continent?

The danger in the UK is not just theoretical, there have been fatalities. Most recently I think the incident on a GWR HST.

The incident on the HST was a pissed up individual on a night back to Bristol from Bath Spa who was albeit a normal. You just can't cure stupidity from all risks.

 

[Bill57p9]

There was also the enthusiast who was killed leaning out of pretty much the only droplight on a 442.

I posted last year that some RhB trains (Switzerland) have photographic carriages with large droplight windows so passengers can get better photos. RhB certainly don't have generous clearances everywhere, however the situation on the UK mainline is that the risk isn't tolerable. Crucially the risk isn't necessary and can be avoided.
GWR were prosecuted following the aforementioned HST incident, providing a clear legal position that the risk is unacceptable.

Like it or not, the days of mainline window leaning are behind us, as are the associated injuries and fatalities.