35018 British India Line

The problem to me would not be so much the number of available eyes but the quality of vision down that RHS. There are situations where the driver is utterly reliant on his mate for visual information. The vantage points on the footplate are limited enough without it being impaired further.

 

That is i part my question visability down the boiler is always restricted, and the fireman needs to have a clear view of the road just as much as the driver does, whilst im not questioning the fitters abilities , the loss of clear vision due to the leak must be a factor, what concerns me is the safety element does it reduce the firemans view ahead, it may not, , one thing i noticed from a video is that the steam appears to be coming above the valve as if the leak is on the steam pipe to the cylinder rather than the valve spindle ?

 

About time we had a warning system, then, because, if the driver and fireman need to have a clear view ahead, trains will stop running in fog. Oh, we already have? It's called AWS and TPWS. No worries, then.

 

But let's face it they can hardly agree on the use of driverless taxi's never mind trains! It is useful to put it into perspective, if it's a minor blow (drain taps, glands passing a bit) you can live with it, however looking at the second clip of that YouTube video (post 2650) it's somewhat more than that. Listening to it carefully it does appear to be more of a continious roar which does point to something else apart from the valve glands, but without getting close and personal to the locomotive it's very speculative to make any such diagnosis.

 

A fair enough point Steve, my contention being why would you take a loco out in a degraded state knowing RHS vision will likely be significantly compromised? As I said up thread, maybe my mode of thinking is too risk averse.
As to the cause of the leak, I am not going to speculate any further having incurred some WC displeasure last time I did so and was firmly put straight.

 

No disrespect and times have changed of course but certainly towards the end of term you'd see locos in daily service leaking like a sieve.

 

Vision on the footplate is needed for more than just spotting signals, imagine the press outcry if a steam loco hit someone (at low speed) at a foot crossing when it was "compromised" by such a steam leak?

 

Which being a main line driver you are taught us to be used in conjunction with your very extensive route knowledge! If either of those systems bring you to a stand its a very big deal!!! In fog you drive slower, a lot slower until you can see what you need to see! AWS and TPWS are a last resort! If you cannot see because of a vehicle defect it should be failed on the spot!

 

AWS and TPWS do not tell you if there is an obstruction on the line.

 

Whilst true, is that really the benchmark you judge things by? If it starts and stops its fit to run?

 

That is what I find perplexing about the decision making when WC must know its actions will be under close review consequent upon earlier safety related incidents? Happily the trip seems to have been incident free but why invite the potential scrutiny?

 

Correct, the problem really is nothing new, if you look at this there are leaks both sides. Shut the regulator to observe signals!

 

It isn't new, but we live in different times which are sadly more litigious. . . .

 

Indeed, but if the crew can't see properly how can you can sound a warning to a trespasser, P-Way, livestock or even someone on a crossing? It also gives you the opportunity to slow down even if you can't stop in time.

 

"AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK ......." was the part of that quote you carefully omitted.
Have I speculated? No, please do not try to create an issue by taking things out of context.

 

It really beggars belief that folk are citing conditions at the demise of steam, in wobegone conditions, unkempt and uncared for as some sort of vindication for a decision taken in 2018.
Staggering, but then "wisdom comes with age", as Oscar Wilde said, "but sometimes age arrives alone".

 

Your point being obscured vision does not matter?

 

Really? A slight overreaction perhaps?