How long should it take to clear a failed train off a running line?

[whole diary]

[Adelante_CCT]

And another failure, this time the 07:08 from Basingstoke has sat down at Bramley and is currently still there (07:38)

Edit: On the move (07:46)

[JayMac]

And another failure.

2D02 0600 Exeter St Davids - Bristol Parkway failed between Tiverton Parkway and Taunton. Driver reported two of the three engines being out of fuel. Third engine stalled climbing up to Whiteball summit.

Rescue set sent from Bristol but the driver of it doesn't sign beyond Taunton. Freight driver was available at Taunton to pilot but this wasn't authorised by GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway).

A driver was finally sourced and the rescue set coupled to 2D02 and brought it into Taunton 134 minutes late.

Knock on delays across the morning peak. A couple GWR services were sent via Yeovil. Many others, including CrossCountry were cancelled or started/terminated short.

Now, breakdowns happen, but to run out of fuel on a trains first passenger service of the day is a preventable failing. Its somewhat baffling that a train can be put into service with insufficient fuel.

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

I suppose TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company)’s decisions on their rescue contingency plans (such as they are) are to some extent driven by the cost of a “delay attribution minute”.  If this was, say, increased tenfold, then maybe FL would think about having a mobile fitter somewhere between Southampton and the next location north which I presume is Lawley Street. 

This may also incentivise TOC’s to do mutually beneficial deals with each other – after all, a split air pipe on a FL wagon is not much different to a split air pipe on a stone wagon.  So – shock horror – a fitter at Reading could do get-it-moving repairs on different TOC’s rolling stock.  And of course a Class 66 is the same whoever operates it.

Maybe we need an RAC for trains.  Doesn’t this sound just what’s needed:

“With uniformed, fully qualified, expert mechanics on call 24/7, you'll have the confidence we'll be there when you need us.

“We'll fix you and get you on your way on average in just 30 minutes, it's no wonder 92% of members recommend the RAC.

[Electric train]

Maybe we need an RAC for trains.  Doesn’t this sound just what’s needed:

On the East Coast Mainline they are called Thunder Birds, loco strategically located along the Route there is usually one berthed outside Kings Cross Box.  The West Coast also has Thunder Birds.


GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) has not generally had to rely on needing them principally because HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s have in effect 2 locomotives per train.


The Thunder Birds don't carry fitters as that would be a waste of rare and highly skilled workers

[Noggin]

I wonder whether there is a UK^▸ (United Kingdom) equivalent of this service on SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) where they provide telephone assistance to help resolve problems?  https://malignej.transilien.com/2016/10/03/depanner-train-telephone-pac-men-de-transilien/