the sunshine train

mr bachmann · January 12, 2016, 02:08:20 PM

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi0sMWRuaTKAhWKiRoKHWUeCBwQqQIIIDAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticle-3395521%2FThe-wrong-kind-sun-train-operator-blames-SUNSHINE-rush-hour-rail-delays.html&usg=AFQjCNGkehgf3E8pQ038bCOX3peCGM2wtw&bvm=bv.111396085,d.ZWU

jonclox · January 12, 2016, 03:35:14 PM

Quote from: Arrachogaidh on January 12, 2016, 03:29:01 PM

Believe it or not, when the sun is strong and low in the sky it is a real problem whether you are driving a train, bus, lorry or car.

Agreed

ShakyZZR · January 12, 2016, 07:10:04 PM

Well, not wanting to start a flame war here but...........<rant> I would much rather read this headline than "Train collision caused by driver who was blinded by sun missed signal at danger until it was too late and didn't have enough time to brake"

Or are the latest ATS/ATWS systems in place situated far enough in front of the signals to automatically stop a train travelling at normal linespeed ?

I would imagine not.

Seems to be the usual story of the Media hyping up a normal event knowing that the travelling public who appear to generally be unhappy with the railways will agree with them. </rant)

snitchthebudgie · January 13, 2016, 10:53:00 AM

Yes, BUT.... Surely there has been low sun in this location for 100 years +. Why is it suddenly a problem?

?

GrahamG · January 13, 2016, 11:25:18 AM

I understand the problem was that the sun was making the platform monitors or mirrors difficult to see to enable the train to depart safely, therefore the driver has to leave the cab to check it is safe to close the doors. If the train departs and someone is dragged under the train by some clothing caught in the doors, the judge at the trial probably won't accept the sunlight obscuring the monitors/mirrors as a defense. The driver in this case acted absolutely correctly in my opinion.

MikeDunn · January 13, 2016, 11:28:57 AM

I see someone other than me has bothered to read the article then, instead of jumping to conclusions based on the headline !

Paul B · January 13, 2016, 01:09:53 PM

Quote from: GrahamG on January 13, 2016, 11:25:18 AM
I understand the problem was that the sun was making the platform monitors or mirrors difficult to see to enable the train to depart safely, therefore the driver has to leave the cab to check it is safe to close the doors. If the train departs and someone is dragged under the train by some clothing caught in the doors, the judge at the trial probably won't accept the sunlight obscuring the monitors/mirrors as a defense. The driver in this case acted absolutely correctly in my opinion.

And maybe this wouldn't be happening if they still had guards or platform staff around? But I suppose that would mean the railway companies thinking about safety and customer service rather than money...

GrahamG · January 13, 2016, 03:35:01 PM

Quote from: Paul B on January 13, 2016, 01:09:53 PM
And maybe this wouldn't be happening if they still had guards or platform staff around? But I suppose that would mean the railway companies thinking about safety and customer service rather than money...

I agree that all trains should have guards/conductors to oversee the safe despatch of trains, leaving the drivers to concentrate on driving (have to confess I'm a driver myself). However, even this does not make it 100% safe as the incident on Merseyside a few years ago demonstrated.

Graham

mr bachmann · January 13, 2016, 07:57:25 PM

and on top of the sun the poor steam drivers had to drive through their own water/steam vapor.

DELETED · January 13, 2016, 09:15:11 PM

I suppse you have to say if you can't see it's safe to go how do you know it's not safe to go. Might be a modern thing but I've experienced similar things before. I'm not sure why we're debating a daily mail article. I do think most of what we see in the media is over hyped now though.