ORR Consultaion document on Mk.1 coaches

I've not seen this mentioned anywhere. Apologies if it has.
https://www.orr.gov.uk/search-consu...e-application-railway-safety-regulations-1999
There are obvious implications for the charter market and the NYMR operations over the Esk Valley line

 

A long time ago on a different thread:

I presume the NYMR would stay withing the 40 kph threshold for CDLs. How many charter sets are without CDL?

As for Mk 1s at all speeds the ORR has been tightening up on crash pillars for a while.

Patrick

 

The NYMR does run to Battersby on occasion and line speed is 45mph. They have to run at that speed to keep clear of Northern trains.

 

An interesting document Steve. It's quite understandable too considering the original regs. came out twenty years ago, to take a new look at the situation. Looking at the original regs., I'd been thinking on and off how difficult/complicated would it be to retro fit central locking, especially these days twenty years on, when you look at the amount of work involved in the overhaul/restoration on MK1s as well as any older pre-MK1 stock. Just looking at the C & W on the Moors the bodywork is on some MK1s is pretty well totally removed in places [especially the ends]. I got to think as there's already wire runs for the lighting, surely any wiring for central locking could be incorporated out of sight with the lighting wiring....... Fitting the locks out of sight though could be problematic on the external doors.

Granted you'd need a rolling program to retro fit any such locking system to your fleet. Thankfully though the new regs. do appear to offer an exemption, by negotiation if you are making the required mods/upgrades, especially if you put your cards on the table and show you have a plan, complete with an approved locking system.

 

Is there any possibility, in the future, that these measures will be extended to heritage operations on lines operating at 25 mph and under?

 

I don't think so yet Bryan. Though at the moment with this being a "Consultation" things are/can be fluid, depending on the collective response. Whilst perhaps frustrating the original regs have been round for twenty years, so it's understandable they are having a revue now twenty years on.....

 

https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/project-wareham.536513/page-32#post-2556260 Most likely the MK1 coaches will have the locking like the doors on this Swanage DMU.

 

How significant is all this for steam on the main line? Are we talking about thousands per Mk 1?

 

Adding the CDL wiring to the lighting runs depends on the coach. TSOs would be fairly easy as the wiring runs tend to be down the opposite side to the pull chord. Compartment and Brakes would require ceilings to come down. When you get to that point you may as well re wire the coach, if it hasnt already been done.

The Swanage approach with the plate off the door and using the stepboard is probably the easiest and cheaper solution.

The cost then depends on how many doors you have per coach for each unit. The cost of the wiring, fitting and the labour.

 

Thanks. How about the structural modifications, crash pillars etc?

 

I think most mainline operators have known this has been coming for a while and have been able to plan works to allow completion before the current exemptions expire.

The SRPS fleet, for example, is currently being put through a major 'top half' overhaul which includes a full crash pillar inspection (and repair if necessary), removing the middle door on TSOs/FOs and general repairs. Toilet retention tanks are also to fitted imminently.

The aim is to have the entire set of 12/13 complete by the start of 2023, but given the work is not cheap that will depend on how the pandemic continues to alter income from what we would normally expect!

 

The crash pillars, corner post and door post should be inspected/ repaired or completely replaced in an overhaul.
The one area that Ive seen on heritage railways that is seriously lacking is knowledge and condition of door locks, door jambs.

 

Updated guidance has been issued;
https://www.orr.gov.uk/search-consu...e-application-railway-safety-regulations-1999