Steam engine 34067 'Tangmere' - merged posts

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

BNM, I think you should forward that masterpiece of photoshopping on to the MD of WCR...! 

I did think twice about posting something as light hearted as this - these are serious incidents after all.

The picture isn't my work though. It's been doing the rounds on social media.

[SandTEngineer]

Copy of the ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) Prohibition Notice here:
https://drive.google.com/a/orr.gov.uk/file/d/0BxwiHVUgdJBhaWI0UnNwZHBhLU0/view?pli=1

So not another actual incident but a generic precautionary notice.  Always wait until you have the facts

[bobm]

Is there a typo in that notice?  It states it runs from 24th August.

[grahame]

Is there a typo in that notice?  It states it runs from 24th August.

I saw that.  But then it states that it will only be published after the period of appeal has run out and indeed on conclusion of that appeal with the appeal dismissed. So the process could have been ongoing for months and not know to us, with the original document now published.

[RobT]

ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) prosecutes West Coast Railway Company and train driver over signal incident
http://orr.gov.uk/news-and-media/press-releases/2015/orr-prosecutes-west-coast-railway-company-and-train-driver-over-signal-incident

9 December 2015

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has today started criminal proceedings against train operator West Coast Railway Company Limited (WCRC) and one of its drivers. The charges relate to breaches of Health and Safety Law which led to a train passing a signal warning at danger on 7 March 2015.

The prosecutions follow ORR^s investigation into an incident involving a steam locomotive operated by WCRC, which passed a signal at danger near Wootton Bassett junction, Wiltshire. This extremely serious incident resulted in the train coming to a stop 550 metres after the signal, across a busy junction on the Great Western main line, directly in the path of high speed trains.

The train^s driver is facing charges under section 7(a) and 8 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA). This relates to his alleged intentional misuse of the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS^▸ (Train Protection and Warning System)) equipment. ORR^s investigation found that the driver directed a colleague to turn off this essential safety system, designed to apply an emergency brake if the driver makes an error.

WCRC is separately facing charges under section 3(1) and 2(1) of the HSWA. This is on account of its alleged failure to implement managerial controls, procedures, training and monitoring to prevent staff turning off the TPWS equipment.

ORR has been closely monitoring WCRC^s operation since this incident. ORR has also today launched a review of WCRC^s safety certificate, which is needed to operate its trains on the rail network.

Ian Prosser, HM Chief Inspector of Railways at ORR said:

^The safety of staff, volunteers, passengers and members of the public is our absolute priority. ^

^Britain^s railways have a good safety record. However, there have been a number of incidents over the past year involving West Coast Railway Company Limited trains. ^

^The incident at Wootton Bassett junction, where a WCRC train passed a signal at danger, was caused by alleged intentional misuse of a key safety system. This could have easily led to a catastrophic train collision. ^

^ORR inspectors are working with the rail industry, in particular the mainline heritage sector, to ensure that lessons are learned, and public safety is not put at risk.^

The first hearing is due to take place at Swindon Magistrates' Court on 11 January 2016.

[bobm]

With legal proceedings now active could I ask we all show our usual restraint with regard to commenting on the matters now coming before the courts?

[chrisr_75]

With legal proceedings now active could I ask we all show our usual restraint with regard to commenting on the matters now coming before the courts?

Interesting (and correct imho) development. I will eagerly await the outcome (without speculating of course!)!

[old original]

The office of rail and road has issued a prohibition notice on West Coast

http://orr.gov.uk/news-and-media/news-and-announcements/2016/heritage-train-operator-prohibited-from-running-rail-services

[JayMac]

I think this latest prohibition may be the result of a light engine incident in the Doncaster area in late 2015. Happened while the investigation into the incident at Wootton Bassett Junction was ongoing.

WCRC really do need to get their act together.

[RobT]

See also the 9 page letter from ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) to WCRC which goes into lots of detail to as to their decision:
http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/20848/2016-02-17-decision-letter-to-west-coast-railway.pdf

Court case to come re the 7th March 2015 incident at Swindon Crown Court on Friday 19th February...

[John R]

Goodness. I am not privvy to the financial condition of WCRC, but they will need to have some reserves to get through what looks like it will be an extended period without operating. That letter is fairly damning, and I can imagine ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) will need a lot of persuading to let them run again.

[ChrisB]

Good. Serves them right.

[JayMac]

Good. Serves them right.

That's a pretty strong sentiment Chris. But I have to say I'm in total agreement

WCRC came within seconds of wiping out a Wales to London HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)). Following that very near miss WCRC were put on notice by the ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about). Despite that, their, what can only be described as, cavalier attitide to safe operation on the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) rail network has continued.

[TonyK]

Harsh words indeed, but seemingly fair comment. "Catastrophic" does not seem too strong a word for what was avoided more by good luck than judgement at Wootton Bassett.

I get the impression of a failure in management to understand the need for strong governance, rigid structures to ensure safety, and clear lines of communication. The newly appointed General Manager didn't last long - either he wasn't the man for the job, or he didn't like what he saw. It looks like WCRC has a top-down restructuring to do to get its certificate back, not just a bit of shouting at the lower orders.

I assume that the skills needed to crew a fully-laden steam train on a high speed main line are not possessed by very many people, and I am surprised at zero-hour contracts. Just when that would come in handy, they have to get rid of that aspect - good riddance.

[chrisr_75]

As I think I've said before on this thread, this company seems to be a complete and utter liability. Hopefully if the companies officers don't get the message from ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) now, the banks will do the work and force them to cease trading. I'm not sure if it's possible, but it would be satisfying to see the company officers banned from taking any further part in the rail industry. Enough, I think, is enough now!