Eastleigh derailment
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karma mechanic

Original Poster:

835 posts

146 months

Friday 31st January 2020
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On Tuesday morning some heavy freight wagons derailed just outside Eastleigh Station. The track was damaged, but the wagons have been moved and repairs are under way. This has closed the railway between Southampton and Winchester/London

However, initial estimates of sorting it out have now changed to a plan to build some temporary track around the damage, and weeks or possibly even months of repairs.

I'm guessing that some very bespoke parts of the track were broken, and the order is now in for the factory to start dusting off the drawings and looking to source the parts...

Anyone privy to what's actually making it such a big job?

Dogwatch

6,368 posts

246 months

Friday 31st January 2020
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From news reports I understand the wheel flanges cracked the concrete sleepers and then completed the job by taking out points motor(s) and maybe a bit more.

GOATever

2,651 posts

91 months

Friday 31st January 2020
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karma mechanic said:
On Tuesday morning some heavy freight wagons derailed just outside Eastleigh Station. The track was damaged, but the wagons have been moved and repairs are under way. This has closed the railway between Southampton and Winchester/London

However, initial estimates of sorting it out have now changed to a plan to build some temporary track around the damage, and weeks or possibly even months of repairs.

I'm guessing that some very bespoke parts of the track were broken, and the order is now in for the factory to start dusting off the drawings and looking to source the parts...

Anyone privy to what's actually making it such a big job?
I live a few miles away from the station, and regularly use it to get into London. The problem that’s taking the time was only recognised when they looked at the damage. The system of points and track is very complicated at the point where the train derailed. There are a lot of sidings for freight carriages, and a confluence of lines from the South west, and from the South East. When the engineers looked at the damaged section, they realised that the underlying foundations / ballast had worn away quite severely, almost as far down the line as Southampton Airport parkway. They are going to have to fix a lot of track and foundation, as well as points and related gubbins. I’d be surprised if it’s back to normal within a month.

karma mechanic

Original Poster:

835 posts

146 months

Friday 31st January 2020
quotequote all
Kind of answering my own question, I found this: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/stories/eastleigh-de...

Some interesting pictures, it shows how much force those wagons can exert.


anonymous-user

78 months

Saturday 1st February 2020
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Simpo Two

91,486 posts

289 months

Saturday 1st February 2020
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Get China to help - if they can build a hospital in a week they can fix this before lunchtime.

Cold

16,432 posts

114 months

Thursday 6th February 2020
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Track spread due to failed fastenings.

https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/netw...

GOATever

2,651 posts

91 months

Thursday 6th February 2020
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Cold said:
Track spread due to failed fastenings.

https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/netw...
They’ve put a load of temporary track down, and sorted out some makeshift signalling. So some level of service is back now.

GOATever

2,651 posts

91 months

Monday 24th February 2020
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This crane on a train was lifting the new points into position yesterday. They should have it all back to normal in a few days.

ecsrobin

18,526 posts

189 months

Monday 24th February 2020
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That’s an impressive crane.