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Author Topic: Curse of Cable Theft Strikes again! Problems 24/9/10- signals failed at Cholsey  (Read 10063 times)
johoare
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« Reply #15 on: September 24, 2010, 16:42:04 »

I suspect the HSTs (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) were just as full....there were many HST cancellations too. THe only ones seemingly unaffected were the few West country trains.

They weren't... Most that went past us had half the seats empty (and not just in first class).. Sorry I meant to say that in my initial post but totally  forgot  Grin
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The Tall Controller
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« Reply #16 on: September 24, 2010, 16:49:58 »

Pile up in the XC (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) voyagers!
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Tim
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« Reply #17 on: September 24, 2010, 17:32:20 »

Not again.  Is there nothing that can be done to prevent this at least on the important bits of mainline?

Can't we encase the cables in concrete or something?  will next generation incab signalling reduce this problem?

Network Rail presented to the Customer Panel about the things that they are doing to counter this - but obviously can't cover 000s of miles of cable immediately....

Sure but, good to know that are taking steps as and when it is sensible  for them to do so.  Hopefully mainlines like this will be a priority.
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Electric train
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« Reply #18 on: September 24, 2010, 18:08:53 »

As we renew assets we try to engineer out as much vulnerable metal and cabling as possible, there are however some cabling that has to be copper which were possible security methods are put in place, but there is so much cabling on the network and older equipment that only works with copper cable.

The problem is the scrap dealers that don't question where the copper comes from, fail to take down correct details of the seller or the vehicle reg no, scrap copper and aluminum runs about a ^1000 a tonne
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Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”
Ollie
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« Reply #19 on: September 24, 2010, 23:23:18 »

To my knowledge this was not cable theft, failure of a transformer - whatever that is Smiley
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JayMac
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« Reply #20 on: September 25, 2010, 01:29:55 »

"Transformers - Robots in Disguise!"

No?  Grin
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"Good news for regular users of Euston Station in London! One day they will die. Then they won't have to go to Euston Station ever again." - David Mitchell
Ollie
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« Reply #21 on: September 25, 2010, 01:35:27 »

I would assume no Tongue
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Electric train
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« Reply #22 on: September 25, 2010, 07:40:52 »

To my knowledge this was not cable theft, failure of a transformer - whatever that is Smiley
These are every where in the signaling system some will only supply power to a single item like a points motor or signal head to intermediate sized ones that supply a relay room to larger ones that will supply a whole area including a panel box, it is unusual, but not unknown for the larger ones to fail intermediate size and smaller ones can be more common.  It would not surprise me if the recent lightening was the root cause of the transformer to fail.
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Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”
smokey
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« Reply #23 on: September 26, 2010, 13:04:38 »

Well besides using Smart Water technology, I reckon there is a simple way that NR» (Network Rail - home page) can catch low life cable thiefs and the BTP (British Transport Police) arrest these low lifes before the cable has even reached any scrap merchant!

Network Rai got a staff suggestion scheme?
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SDS
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« Reply #24 on: September 26, 2010, 21:15:08 »

should thread the copper inside an insulated cable inside a high voltage cable which will shock the hell out of anyone that cuts it and then encase it in concrete.
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« Reply #25 on: September 26, 2010, 21:50:35 »

and then encase it in concrete.
The thief or the cable Tongue
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