woodenhead Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 On the BBC they are saying a freight train has derailed, but the description is a Freightliner locomotive running on behalf of Virgin - what was it hauling? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby (John) Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 MK news states "single carraige freight train" i assume they mean a single locomotive ...but who knows yet Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted February 3, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 3, 2012 Its the Pretendolino engine 90046 is in the dirt, it was working light engine from Crewe - Wembley. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby (John) Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 A picture of a Class 90 has been posted on twitter https://p.twimg.com/AktnjEDCQAAOJjG.jpg:large Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete the Elaner Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 The news article I read made it sound like Virgin is now running freight services. I use the line to commute to work...but not today. This made me turn around & work from home. I was told by staff at MK station that a freight train had derailed. The news said this was at 0228. Consider that reporters are not all enthusiasts. My guess is that because it was running on the line which is used by Virgin trains, they reported it as a Virgin frieghtliner? I am sure that accurate reports will appear in the next editions of the railway news magazines. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted February 3, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 3, 2012 A picture of a Class 90 has been posted on twitter My guess is that because it was running on the line which is used by Virgin trains, they reported it as a Virgin frieghtliner? Its the Pretendolino engine 90046 is in the dirt, it was working light engine from Crewe - Wembley. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete the Elaner Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 So the staff I spoke to (& the station information boards) were wrong then? They definitely said 'freight train'. I also read that 'the entire train had stayed upright'. You can probably see the loco from the road below. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted February 3, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 3, 2012 As usual then!! Although from that linked pic above it does look like the Up Fast immediately south of Bletchley flyover - and just past some pointwork which appears to be in process of recovery, maybe? No doubt we might hear some facts eventually ... perhaps ... maybe ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete the Elaner Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 lol 2 posts appeared while I was writing my reply. It has kept me at home today...That much is certain. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted February 3, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 3, 2012 The Freightliner engine, being operated on behalf of Virgin trains, derailed at Bletchley South junction shortly before 02:30 GMT. The driver was the only person on board and is being treated for injuries. The engine is upright but blocking the line and some damage has been reported. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete the Elaner Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 As usual then!! Although from that linked pic above it does look like the Up Fast immediately south of Bletchley flyover - and just past some pointwork which appears to be in process of recovery, maybe? No doubt we might hear some facts eventually ... perhaps ... maybe ... There was a slow juntion there until 2-3 years ago with a crossover on the up line. They have also been 'overrunning engineering works' 2 mornings this week. I think they have been doing something to the slow lines? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted February 3, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 3, 2012 Looks like the Bletchley Flyover to me. Closing WCML is never a good idea, especially in Winter when the punters stand and freeze. They ought to be able to run some sort of shuttle to Tring for commuters, presumably, except that no doubt most stock is the wrong side of the blockage. Once the Met runs to Watford Junction, then they'd only need to shuttle Tring-Watford. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share Posted February 3, 2012 Thanks for the responses guys. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Sheep Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 The news article I read made it sound like Virgin is now running freight services. I use the line to commute to work...but not today. This made me turn around & work from home. I was told by staff at MK station that a freight train had derailed. The news said this was at 0228. Consider that reporters are not all enthusiasts. My guess is that because it was running on the line which is used by Virgin trains, they reported it as a Virgin frieghtliner? I am sure that accurate reports will appear in the next editions of the railway news magazines. I would assume that description is being given out so that non-enthuisats aren't panicing about a passenger train having come off the tracks, in most of the publics minds is that frieght trains are much heavier than passenger trains in the same way that a lorry is heavier than their car. This will have the public thinking ''its only a freight train off, i'm perfectly safe on the pendalino service'' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesome_whistle Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 My first thought when I heard that the WCML was shut completely was that it must have come off whilst crossing from the slow to the fast but that doesn't look to be the case from the twitter photograph. The slow lines *appear* to be unaffected but obviously Network Rail wouldn't want any trains passing on the off chance that it might inspire a copycat incident further down the line.. Also, a bit of a PR coup for Virgin calling it a 'freight train' when it's a loco on hire to them. Funny old world. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share Posted February 3, 2012 I wouldn't call it a coup - first thing I thought was the Pretendolino had derailed, for non enthusiast, they would hear "Virgin", "Derailed" and think Grayrigg. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold RedgateModels Posted February 3, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 3, 2012 This pic has just been posted by NR on twitter: http://t.co/ZSqLthEi Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted February 3, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 3, 2012 This pic has just been posted by NR on twitter: http://t.co/ZSqLthEi Well at least it's a nice simple re-railing job (well it used to be) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glorious NSE Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Yep, that's definately derailed! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Banger Blue Posted February 3, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 3, 2012 Reported on another railway forum http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=59535: ......the loco was travelling on the up fast. This is located between the down fast and the down slow. Track damage has occured to the fast lines and OHLE dropper damage has occured to the neighbouring slow line...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugd1022 Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Having read the thread over on RailUKForums, it's possible the loco had been routed from the Up Slow onto the Up Fast via the 15mph junction under the flyover. I guess we'll have to wait and see. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesome_whistle Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 I wouldn't call it a coup - first thing I thought was the Pretendolino had derailed, for non enthusiast, they would hear "Virgin", "Derailed" and think Grayrigg. Well, it was certainly inaccurate. Should we protect the nervous public by telling them untruths? Incidentally, I note that the National Rail website is now describing it as a 'locomotive' rather than a 'freight train'. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Sheep Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 This pic has just been posted by NR on twitter: http://t.co/ZSqLthEi Looks like it was trying to be a broad gauge loco and running in the six-foot Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share Posted February 3, 2012 Well, it was certainly inaccurate. Should we protect the nervous public by telling them untruths? Incidentally, I note that the National Rail website is now describing it as a 'locomotive' rather than a 'freight train'. A PR Coup - is a piece of positive news about someone/thing that comes as a by-product of some other event. Having Virgin's name attached to a derailment is hardly positive. Maybe I misinterpreted your meaning in your statement: 'Also, a bit of a PR coup for Virgin calling it a 'freight train' when it's a loco on hire to them.' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesome_whistle Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 A PR Coup - is a piece of positive news about someone/thing that comes as a by-product of some other event. Having Virgin's name attached to a derailment is hardly positive. Maybe I misinterpreted your meaning in your statement: 'Also, a bit of a PR coup for Virgin calling it a 'freight train' when it's a loco on hire to them.' Fair enough, I'll put my hands up, I can see how that could be misinterpreted and I'll admit that I probably used the wrong phrase. However, it was a light locomotive being operated by Virgin, not by any freight operating company, and it was initially described as a freight train derailment. I suspect some at Freightliner might have been rather uncomfortable with this (especially as there is some speculation in the media already as to the possible cause) and perhaps this is why the National Rail and Virgin websites are describing it differently now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.