Train crash in Scotland

[alangla]

IJWS15 said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Polmont was carriages and a 47 so 3 link (probably screw) couplings, HST (IIRC) has buckeyes between all cars so much more rigid and less likely to concertina.

Most multiple units are now bolted joints between the units

Erm... BR have been fitting buckeyes to coaching stock since the 1950s...
The train that crashed at Polmont would have been all buckeye coupled apart from the locomotive (at the back) to the last coach. It was also Mk3s (same as an HST), apart from the leading driving coach.

[matchmaker]

Whatsmyname said:

Ok so we have a set of mechanical points that we are gonna go send an empty rain over In the facing direction, they have no facing point lock as they are predominantly trailing. What proves the correct position of the switch rail to within 5mm tolerance? Or do you just pull the lever and yolo it? Presuming no clip and scotch.

You pull the lever, clear the signal and rely on the mechanical detection at the points. This is independent of the actual interlocking in the frame. There may also be electrical detection indicated in the signal box.

[Whatsmyname]

I was just imagining a scenario where you’d pass a train over a set of un-secured facing points as described earlier. The answer is you don’t.

[saaby93]

re the south wales train crash
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-53967807

beeb said:

British Transport Police's initial probe has ruled out criminal intent.

"Initial findings are that the derailment is not believed to have been caused by criminal activity," said Det Ch Insp Paul Langley.
"We are therefore handing primacy of the scene to the Office of Rail and Road, so that it can carry out its own specialist investigation."

Isnt primacy with the RAIB?

[Trevatanus]

Not sure how accurate this is, but it sounds like they are going to move the train intact as opposed to breaking it up. Hell of an a logistical exercise.

"Recovery of the vehicles from the train is difficult due to the surrounding terrain. A large crawler crane will be brought in. A smaller crane will need to be transported to the site to erect the large crane, which will take a week to construct. The army will lend a tracked armoured recovery vehicle (a CRARRV) to move the carriages within reach of the crane. Once recovered, the vehicles will be taken to a secure facility to allow the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) to gather further evidence.

[alangla]

Trevatanus said:

Not sure how accurate this is, but it sounds like they are going to move the train intact as opposed to breaking it up. Hell of an a logistical exercise.

I wonder if the RAIB are taking a particular interest in the way one of the coaches ended up basically crushed down to the bottom of the window frames. Mk3s are usually regarded as being extremely strong, but this plus the Ufton Nervet derailment seem to have shown they can end up utterly wrecked in certain circumstances.