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Train Blown Over in Switzerland


luckymucklebackit
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Guest theonlydt

It is and it's one of their driving trailers. Hope they were ok as I can't see anything about injuries.

https://goo.gl/images/V7kwSt

 

Wikipedia entry quotes eight injured, but, you know, it's wikipedia...

 

Assume narrow gauge more likely to tip over in winds such as these?

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It is metre gauge but they are proportionally smaller so there shouldn't be much more chance than a taller standard gauge vehicle. The driving trailer is going to be pretty heavy compared to a standard coach too with the extra control gear.

I suspect this was more than just pure wind due to its angle off the track and only one coach off from the set in a fairly open area. Ice or wind blown debris on the track combined with the wind is more likely.

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It isn't the first time that such a thing has happened.  A charter train on the Esquel line (76cm gauge) in Argentina was blown over back in 2011.  In that instance, a slightly higher line speed combined with an extra strong gust of wind appears to have been the cause.

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It isn't the first time that such a thing has happened.  A charter train on the Esquel line (76cm gauge) in Argentina was blown over back in 2011.  In that instance, a slightly higher line speed combined with an extra strong gust of wind appears to have been the cause.

 

It isn't the first time it's happened in Switzerland, either - I remember reading of a similar incident on a narrow gauge line a few years ago.  I tried Googling to recall the details, but couldn't find it.  I had in mind the Appenzellerbahn, but that may not be correct.

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It was identified as a risk when Eurotunnel were designing their system, particularly with regard to the long loop from the French portal to the platforms; it was identified that there was a potential risk of stock being blown over on the curved section if the wind-force was high enough. To this end, anemometers were installed at various points, connected to a series of warning lamps in the Control Centres; should the 'right' combination of force and direction occur, then operation 'en-tiroir' is put in place. All arrivals and departures in the UK are via the Arrival fan, whilst French arrivals and departures are via the Departure fan. This is a mode of operation that is difficult to sustain for long in unplanned circumstances, as the normal cycle time for trains of 2 hours is extended by about 20 minutes, due to the need for the train to be closed after unloading, a short brake-test carried out, and the train reopened for re-loading.

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It isn't the first time it's happened in Switzerland, either - I remember reading of a similar incident on a narrow gauge line a few years ago.  I tried Googling to recall the details, but couldn't find it.  I had in mind the Appenzellerbahn, but that may not be correct.

 

 

 

Yes that is correct.

 

Here is the French language report with the video.

 

http://www.20min.ch/ro/news/suisse/story/Un-wagon-deraille-a-La-Lenk--plusieurs-blesses-19108130

 

incredible that someone was filming at that moment

 

 

.

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It was identified as a risk when Eurotunnel were designing their system, particularly with regard to the long loop from the French portal to the platforms; it was identified that there was a potential risk of stock being blown over on the curved section if the wind-force was high enough. To this end, anemometers were installed at various points, connected to a series of warning lamps in the Control Centres; should the 'right' combination of force and direction occur, then operation 'en-tiroir' is put in place. All arrivals and departures in the UK are via the Arrival fan, whilst French arrivals and departures are via the Departure fan. This is a mode of operation that is difficult to sustain for long in unplanned circumstances, as the normal cycle time for trains of 2 hours is extended by about 20 minutes, due to the need for the train to be closed after unloading, a short brake-test carried out, and the train reopened for re-loading.

 

The ET amended timetable for such events used to be called 'Grand Vent'

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The ET amended timetable for such events used to be called 'Grand Vent'

As opposed to 'Grande Ventre'...

I must have a look for this timetable as, on the one occasion that I had to worked unplanned en-tiroir (due to a tamper having cut a collection of signalling cables), I had to make it up as I went along. The problem started on a Saturday morning, finishing after lunch on the Sunday.

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As opposed to 'Grande Ventre'...

I must have a look for this timetable as, on the one occasion that I had to worked unplanned en-tiroir (due to a tamper having cut a collection of signalling cables), I had to make it up as I went along. The problem started on a Saturday morning, finishing after lunch on the Sunday.

 

I am going back quite a few years Brian but you might find that planning still have a copy of it - they were forever trotting out the threat of it and David did once show me a copy but that is probably about 20 years back!

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