Was this one of the shortened HST sets? If so, the cars would be refurbished Mk 3s, right?
That is my impression from the pictures.Was this one of the shortened HST sets? If so, the cars would be refurbished Mk 3s, right?
That would certainly explain the pics I saw of the "jackknifed" coaches.That is my impression from the pictures.
My initial impression is that the rear power unit kept pushing for a few seconds after the derailment. Said to be using the opposite running line due to earlier landslide. Hope there were no catch points.
We called them " Torpedos" over here. Also put "Fuseees " next to the Rails to warn approaching Trains of danger ahead.One report I read today mentioned a member of the train crew leaving the train to warn any oncoming traffic of the danger. This was one duty that was drilled into us when I worked at British Rail. Pleased to see that is still upheld. We placed 3 "detonators" on the running rail, which gave off a loud bang if an oncoming train ran over them, they could be heard in the driving cab and meant danger, emergency stop.
I guess the sheer momentum of a heavy engine unit at the rear could cause jack knifing too, even if not under power.
So sad to see this accident. I have long been a fan of British trains... regardless of all the controversies over the years. When I was younger I took the night train to Aberdeen which means I had traveled over this route.
This sounds crazy at first but once a mainline pulls up rail it's generally gone forever. I think a case could be made for protecting mainline routes indefinitely as a matter of national interest. Unfortunately the UK has lost something like 20% of their GDP and the future doesn't look that great.Much has been said about maintenance of British trains and the rails they ride upon. But my feeling is that the beauty of the British Isles, the historic bridges and scenery along the way, and the officially designated heritage railways... make entire system a world heritage site.
Sad to see any kind of a cutback in such a beautiful and historic country... and the British trains are an important part of that history... I'm sure you know much more than I... but in the 60's got a Britrail Pass and was in 'Train Heaven!'Certainly the UK rail system is more widespread than Amtrak's, sadly, as with most countries, we have lost a lot of the network since Dr. Beeching pruned it back.
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Existing lines have been upgraded and modernised to some extent, but I am not aware of any "missing" lines being reinstated. I may be mistaken, I am afraid that I travelled much more on Amtrak or Indian trains in the last 20 years than the UK ones!I suppose a few line have been rebuilt after the Beeching cuts settled down too, right?
Great find!Good ol' Wikipedia has a page listing Beeching Cuts service reopenings.
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