Two trains collide near Salisbury - 31 Oct 21

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

Oh, and Clan Line. Cracking picture of D1015. A favourite loco of mine.

[Western Pathfinder]

Second that BNM.

[stuving]

That hedgerow looks to me to be mostly rooted behind the fence. Encroaching onto the field.

I think you're flattering it by calling it a hedgerow. Is it all Buddleia?

[Oxonhutch]

I was told by a railway professional, but would like it confirmed by legal minds, that the railway owns the land 6 feet beyond the boundary fence; this is to enable them to maintain said fence.

[grahame]

I was told by a railway professional, but would like it confirmed by legal minds, that the railway owns the land 6 feet beyond the boundary fence; this is to enable them to maintain said fence.

It would seem unlikely that they would own it - thinking of gardens backing on to the railway fence in lots of places, but they probably have a right of access and, yes, I can believe that would be a 6 foot allowance.

[Mark A]

It's a problem for neighbouring farmers as that can decrease the productivity of the field alongside.

In urban areas, this will cast excess shade on small gardens, but also lead to a split of neighbour opinions: 'Please manage your vegetation' versus more or less rational takes on 'Trees.'

[Electric train]

I was told by a railway professional, but would like it confirmed by legal minds, that the railway owns the land 6 feet beyond the boundary fence; this is to enable them to maintain said fence.

I don't think that is the case.  The railways has certain powers in can use to access its land in certain circumstances eg a derailment but its not powers the railways make use of.  To access the railway across third party land contact is made with the land owner and times and terms agreed

[JayMac]

Oh, and Clan Line. Cracking picture of D1015. A favourite loco of mine.

D1015 Western Champion was recently (Sept 2021) back out on Network Rail metals load testing with cement wagons in preparation for a return to use on mainline railtours. Sadly, she suffered an engine seizure on a trip to and from Avonmouth and has returned to the Severn Valley Railway for further work. Hopefully she will back on railtours in 2022.

[Clan Line]

Oh, and Clan Line. Cracking picture of D1015. A favourite loco of mine.

D1015 Western Champion was recently (Sept 2021) back out on Network Rail metals load testing with cement wagons in preparation for a return to use on mainline railtours. Sadly, she suffered an engine seizure on a trip to and from Avonmouth and has returned to the Severn Valley Railway for further work. Hopefully she will back on railtours in 2022.

I seem to recollect that not long after I took that photo of D1015 she put a couple of pistons through the side of the engine block.
I love the second part of the video: With the foreshortening effect of the long lens it makes the "light" loco look like a little bubble car scurrying along the track !

[paul7575]

RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) have published an interim report, I’ve had a quick read through and it really just confirms what exactly happened and when. 

I think we had eventually realised that contrary to the mass media scare stories about “sitting ducks” both trains were moving at the first impact, and there were no preceding signal failures, or objects on the line etc etc.

Investigations continue into various things, especially rail conditions at the time:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1055846/IR012022_220221_Salisbury_Tunnel_Junction.pdf

[stuving]

There's no mention in that RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) report of looking at the public statements made by NR^» (Network Rail - home page) and others. In fact I don't think it's part of RAIB's remit, but it is a topic ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) have criticised in the past. I wonder if they would do so in this case.

[infoman]

I would have thought that most junctions would have had catch points fitted.

[IndustryInsider]

I would have thought that most junctions would have had catch points fitted.

Catch points are only generally fitted at exits to sidings or loops, or smaller junctions where two tracks diverge into one and catch points would derail the train into a safe place - not possible at a lot of larger junctions.

[stuving]

RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) have just added this paragraph to their page for this incident:

RAIB’s draft investigation report into this accident is currently being reviewed prior to the start of the consultation. RAIB expects to publish the final investigation report before the end of the year. RAIB issued an interim report in February 2022, which discussed our initial findings, and has continued to liaise with stakeholders, including the rail industry, as the investigation has progressed.

That consultation is, I presume, just the routine discussion of the report with the concerned parties prior to publication.

[stuving]

RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) have just added this paragraph to their page for this incident:

RAIB’s draft investigation report into this accident is currently being reviewed prior to the start of the consultation. RAIB expects to publish the final investigation report before the end of the year. RAIB issued an interim report in February 2022, which discussed our initial findings, and has continued to liaise with stakeholders, including the rail industry, as the investigation has progressed.

That consultation is, I presume, just the routine discussion of the report with the concerned parties prior to publication.

That paragraph was revised in December to predict publication of the final report "in the spring".
Yesterday it was re-revised to read:

RAIB’s draft investigation report into this accident has now been sent to interested parties as part of the statutory consultation process. RAIB expects to publish the final report shortly after the consultation process is completed. RAIB issued an interim report in February 2022 and continues to liaise with stakeholders on our findings and any arising safety issues.