Shipping container blows off a freight train in Cumbria

[anonymous-user]

Saw this in the local news.

A shipping container blew off a freight train and into a field. It was spotted by a local who phoned Network Rail.

It was quite lucky that it blew off into a field rather than fall onto the other track, as that stretch of line carries high speed passenger trains.

As shocking as this seems, a quick Google reveals that it happens more than you would have thought!

http://www.cumbriacrack.com/2015/03/12/shipping-co...

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=11344...

[JB!]

Happened down south at Ledburn Junction on the WCML:

http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/090...

Edited by JB! on Tuesday 17th March 15:44

[Jader1973]

They close the container parks in Melbourne if it gets a bit too breezy.

It isn't unusual for a stack to get blown over.

[truck71]

Crikey, I'm amazed that the use of twist locks on rail wagons isn't standard. Looks like this is far from an isolated incident-surprised the normally vocal RMT didn't want to comment.

[alangla]

truck71 said:

Crikey, I'm amazed that the use of twist locks on rail wagons isn't standard. Looks like this is far from an isolated incident-surprised the normally vocal RMT didn't want to comment.

They used to be - have a look at page 26 of the report that JB linked above where the RAIB go into Twistlocks & why they were removed.

[truck71]

alangla said:

They used to be - have a look at page 26 of the report that JB linked above where the RAIB go into Twistlocks & why they were removed.

Indeed, good detail there (as there should be I guess). I don't see the big deal with using twist locks on a train as they are on road trailers, sure might take half an hour for someone to walk the line of wagons and secure/ unsecure them but that's it.

[Evoluzione]

truck71 said:

alangla said:

They used to be - have a look at page 26 of the report that JB linked above where the RAIB go into Twistlocks & why they were removed.

Indeed, good detail there (as there should be I guess). I don't see the big deal with using twist locks on a train as they are on road trailers, sure might take half an hour for someone to walk the line of wagons and secure/ unsecure them but that's it.

Until they forget.

[Rude-boy]

I know it should not but that made me laugh!

[alangla]

RAIB now taking an interest http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/current_invest...

[anonymous-user]

Is Raib the equivalent of DVSA though ??

Today's load security guidance from them
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/load-se...

[legzr1]

When the RAIB get involved it gets serious.

They don't focus too much on apportioning blame as such but get fairly forensic in their reports and their recommendations are almost always taken up.

[The Moose]

Is it because it's better that the container blows off than the train blows over?

[iambeowulf]

Lol. Blow off!

[V8Matthew]

That's probably the windiest piece of railway in Cumbria. Ironically if you look at the first picture on the Cumbria Crack article, an anemometer can be seen attached to the overhead line mast on the northbound (down) line.

[anonymous-user]

iambeowulf said:

Lol. Blow off!

I was working on a policy document at work the other day that recommended an 'Annual Blow-down' for a specific piece of equipment