INCIDENT AT GROSMONT – Tuesday 15 November 2011

NYMR mishap?

https://groups.google.com/group/uk.railway/browse_thread/thread/e7b157dc886a6a10?hl=en#

 

Re: NYMR mishap?

Not a very edifying thread that is quoted. 43567's damage has not been formally assessed yet but there is no question of it being written off. It doesn't appear to have sustained any body damage, and even the underframe looks relatively unscathed in the photo I have seen. 56856 , the Gresley next to it, does not appear to have sustained any damage whatsoever. The LNERCA has already identified a donor underframe and obtained agreement in principle to its use if it should be needed, but that eventuality uis thought to be highly unlikely. Interestingly, we've been told that 56856's Departemental career on BR ended after a similar accident and yet we found no traces of damage when restoring it, these underframes must be quite tough.

 

Re: NYMR mishap?

I'm pleased to hear the damage isn't as bad as the Google Groups posting suggested. I'm curious where the GG poster got his (erroneous) information from?

 

Re: NYMR mishap?

A spot of reality and a whole heapload of scaremongering?

 

Re: NYMR mishap?

43567 is now back on NYMR metals, albeit with one end on a sleeper crib, as the one bogie does seem to be badly damaged. There's apparently more damage to the underframe than we'd hoped, but the LNERCA has been working to provide repair options, and we now have a donor underframe lined up that could be cut to provide replacement steelwork to be grafted in, as well as a complete replacement underframe. We already have several spare bogies, and vacuum cylinders are available brand new from India.

 

Re: NYMR Incident?

spindizzy, do you mind if I ask the source of your quote? Not a loaded question, I'm just interested, as it certainly sounds as though there are crossed wires somewhere!

 

Re: NYMR Incident?

On a Google forum by the look of it.
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/uk.railway/57FX3IhqahA

 

Re: NYMR Incident?

A big feeling of relief! I am though concerned about the final paragraph, surely a damaged underframe could be replaced by a new build rather than sourcing another from another coach, the rest of which would be scrapped. C&W people must try to get outside this mindset (and it is literally a mindset) that it is OK to scrap one vehicle to repair another. The Bluebell does it too, to my annoyance; once these vehicles have gone they won't come back. The narrow gauge railways are showing, yet again, the way forward here with their new-builds and substantial overhauls, the standard gauge preservationists should follow.

Regards

 

Re: NYMR Incident?

As far as I know the under frame in question is a spare one, they would not be cutting up a coach to keep the BTO going.

 

Re: NYMR Incident?

If it comes to a complete new underframe, then unfortunately it will be a non-passenger vehicle that will be the donor, so yes that would be a loss, albeit not a unique one, but the underframe that is a potential source of spare parts is an example that was abut to be scapped due to one solebar (whch would probably not be needed for this repair by the sounds of it) being very badly wasted.

The problem with building a new underframe is that the original "bulb section" solebar channel is no longer manufactured (I think it was always a special railway product). To use modern sections would involve a redesign and recalculation of the strength etc. amnd the design would almost certainly cost more than the manufacture!

 

Re: NYMR Incident?

Hence me writing

"no idea if it is fully factual but it does sound a bad incident."

 

Re: NYMR Incident?

Generally speaking, it's better than the alternative - both vehicles remaining unserviceable and going for scrap.

 

Re: NYMR Incident?

The underframe in question came from an LNER first class dining car which had previously had its body removed at another site.
It has no bogies , buffers, brake gear etc., it's purely an underframe.

Bob.

 

Re: NYMR Incident?

Actually, I don't think it's that one, the wone we're discussing came from under a BG and is the correct angle trussed version. I thought the dining car one (which was a turnbuckle version) was broken up a long time ago.

 

Re: NYMR Incident?

No it's still there waiting for somebody with a body to stick on it.

Bob.

 

Re: NYMR Incident?

INCIDENT AT GROSMONT – Tuesday 15 November 2011

While attaching a locomotive to a train at Grosmont Station, the coaches ran away into a siding demolishing the buffer stop, and coming to rest having struck the parapet of an adjoining bridge on Network Rail’s Esk Valley Line. The end coach was partially derailed angled towards the Esk Valley Line. There were no staff injuries. NYMR were not running public services on this day with the train movement concerned being for internal purposes.

Unfortunately the end vehicle (Gresley Brake Third Open No 43567) has suffered significant damage, although the full extent will only be known once the coach has been recovered and examined. Although not actually foul of their running line, because of uncertainty about any possible impact on the bridge, and fears about vibration disturbing the derailed coach, Network Rail suspended the passage of trains past the site.

Recovery work was managed by DBS on behalf of Network Rail using their breakdown crane from Knottingley. Because of the difficult site location access has to be from the Esk Valley running line. NYMR participated in the recovery, which was completed late afternoon on 16th November 2011.

NYMR very much regret the incident, and the affect it had on both Northern Rail train services and Network Rail infrastructure. We especially extend our apologies for the inconvenience to Northern’s passengers. NYMR will, of course, be carrying out a full investigation, with enquiries focused on the derailed coach. Early indications suggest the incident was not due to an error on the part of any staff engaged in the train movement who acted in an exemplary manner.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch and Office of Rail Regulation have been advised.


Philip Benham
General Manager 17 November 2011