Train hits fallen signal between Reading and Newbury - 17 November 2014

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

W. Heath Robinson would be proud of that scaffolding. 

As for the location. Mexico?

[Chris from Nailsea]

The blue plastic netting is apparently the only thing holding that whole structure together.  

[stuving]

W. Heath Robinson would be proud of that scaffolding. 

That's rather unfair, on both parties. It does look untidy, but would prevent the mast falling over. It's the ones with no scaffolding that you want to worry about.

I do note that the inner scaffolding has been there long enough to go rusty, and has been strengthened by some newer bracing. That provides a context for these two quotes from the Western Route Plan:

The Signalling Infrastructure Condition Assessment (SICA) system is a well established indicator for inputs into the signalling renewals programme. The Western Route SICA targets going forward into CP5^▸ (Control Period 5 - the five year period between 2014 and 2019) are clearly defined and monitored each period.

Considering the age of the equipment most of it is performing well, with many equipment types (particularly the mechanical signalling infrastructure) still in service long beyond their envisaged service life. The Base Plan has an ongoing replacement and life extension plan for CP4^▸ (Control Period 4 - the five year period between 2009 and 2014) which is driven by asset condition.

So it's "life extension", obviously.

[ellendune]

It had to happen.  I'm totally unsurprised by this as the NR^» (Network Rail - home page) policy since the beginning in 2002 has been not to paint signals nor renew them unless absolutely necessary (obviously missed this one) 

Most metal posts in the ground that fail do so just at or slightly below ground level - It is not very easy to paint such parts of the posts. Painting the rest of the post makes little difference. 

[Chris from Nailsea]

Fair comments - and returning to the specific topic: what was the supported / unsupported condition of T2865 at the time of its failure:

15:09: The driver of 1A83 reported to Newbury signaller that T2865 has rotted out at the base of the signal causing the signal to fall over and foul both the Up / Down Westbury lines with a large amount of signalling cables across the line.

[JayMac]

Most metal posts in the ground that fail do so just at or slightly below ground level

Perhaps Network Rail could train some moles to apply a bit of Hammerite. And backfill afterward, obviously. 

[ellendune]

Most metal posts in the ground that fail do so just at or slightly below ground level

Perhaps Network Rail could train some moles to apply a bit of Hammerite. And backfill afterward, obviously. 

Forgot to say the corrosion is often on the inside of the post. So moles are the best solution.   

[TonyK]

So it's "life extension", obviously.

Or keeping the corpse upright for a bit longer.

[eightf48544]

Strange as it may seem it seems a train hit a signal yesterday (17th).

Apparently  the 10:41 Truro to Paddington 1A83, had just passed through Newbury on time when  it ran over a signal!   Down Main  Signal T2865 approaching Newbury had fallen over and was lying across the Down Main and obstructing the Up Main. Luckily there was no derailment  and the tain stopped safely with no injuries. The train termianted at Reading  at 16:33,  102 minutes late.

Apparently the fall was caused by bad corrosion at the base of the post weakening it and failing structurlly.

[BBM]

https://twitter.com/philatrail/status/535022741200859136/photo/1

[Red Squirrel]

Good to see the fail-safe operated properly - when did they start fitting tilt-detectors that turn signals to red as they topple over?

[ChrisB]

I thought the train hit the signal?.....where's the damage?

Don't tell me that it was known it had fallen (and photo taken), and the train *still* hit the signal...

Or was the original report an exaggeration? :-)

[ellendune]

We have been discussing this on another board. Would it be possible to merge the two threads?

[ellendune]

We have been discussing this on another board. http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=14689.msg165562#msg165562 Would it be possible to merge the two threads? Either on this thread or the other?

[ChrisB]

Ought to be here?...