Train + Lightning = ?

[Beyond Rational]

As a recognised centre for unfounded scientific speculation, I throw the following question to you all:

What would happen if a train (diesel or electric) were to be struck by lightning?

[the mini mole]

Surely the same as a car... Faradays (sp) cage and all that.

[Astacus]

everyone would claim compo

[pokethepope]

If electric it would give the motors a sudden boost of charge and the train would be at the station on time.

[Uncle Fester]

It wouldn’t clear the ‘leaves on the line’ if that’s what your hoping.

[Rollin]

It would probably complete it's journey

Only something as cataclysmic as fallen leaves can halt a train.

[anonymous-user]

Would the charge exit the train via the wheels and dissipate on the track ?

[the mini mole]

el stovey said:

Would the charge exit the train via the wheels and dissipate on the track ?

I would imagine so- think how much tack there is to dissipate the energy, and it must be earthed at some point.

[SS HSV]

All Oyster cards onboard would be rendered useless.

[Simond001]

SS HSV said:

All Oyster cards onboard would be rendered useless.

The inspecotr would not believe you zapped in

You would get an on the spot fine

Argue your case.

Get removed fromt he train, taken to court, gain a criminal record

And hit another goverment target for catching criminals.

[Eric Mc]

All mobile phones on the train would explode - yippeee!!!

[magpie215]

was it on a track or a conveyor belt at the time ;-)

[R5GTTGAZ]

fking leaves on the line.

This is why they stop the bd ing trains;

The leaf mould insulates the rails from the wheel sets of the fking carriages, the interlocking cannot see the bd trains when this happens as the wking rail circuits are rendered useless. In this type of failure it would allow points and signals to alter regardless of train position causing serious injury or death.

[BrassMan]

R5GTTGAZ said:

fking leaves on the line.

This is why they stop the bd ing trains;

The leaf mould insulates the rails from the wheel sets of the fking carriages, the interlocking cannot see the bd trains when this happens as the wking rail circuits are rendered useless. In this type of failure it would allow points and signals to alter regardless of train position causing serious injury or death.

And the wrong type of snow?

[Beyond Rational]

Train + Lightning = an unspectacular event then.

I guess in a steam locomotive you might see some action though if you are at the controls?

[fathomfive]

Everyone would have '70s Keegan perms.

[elster]

R5GTTGAZ said:

fking leaves on the line.

This is why they stop the bd ing trains;

The leaf mould insulates the rails from the wheel sets of the fking carriages, the interlocking cannot see the bd trains when this happens as the wking rail circuits are rendered useless. In this type of failure it would allow points and signals to alter regardless of train position causing serious injury or death.

That's why the RHTT's were created, thank you very much.

In the 3rd year of us running it no compo was given out for damaged wheel sets.

[MitchT]

Could cause problems if it were the "wrong type of lightning". Of course, the lightning would not get chance to hit the train if it were a remapped diesel (too fast) or happened to be passing trough the OXO Tunnel at the time