Passengers break out of stuck train in Cambridgeshire

[bramleyman]

These services do Not have Guards on them anymore. In fact they haven't done for years, due to being DOO and far longer than I can remember, having once worked on them as an RPI, until 'Persuaded' to retire from the job.

[John H-T]

Originally Posted by Jim Christie

In which case you can understand why they wanted out, especially since the modern trains have no opening windows, ergo it gets rather stuffy inside very quickly. Plus the toilets are all 'Leckie', so no power=no working toilets.
Why do we, in the UK in this day and age think this is a suitable way to treat passengers?

Where was the guard in all this? Surely he has a responsibility to his passengers?

Best wishes,

John H-T.

[John H-T]

Originally Posted by bramleyman

These services do Not have Guards on them anymore. In fact they haven't done for years, due to being DOO and far longer than I can remember, having once worked on them as an RPI, until 'Persuaded' to retire from the job.

Does this mean that there is no railway official on the train apart from the Driver?

Best wishes,

John H-T.

[pre65]

Originally Posted by John H-T

Does this mean that there is no railway official on the train apart from the Driver?

Best wishes,

John H-T.

Sounds very much like that is so !

Me thinks I would have been one of the "escapees" if I had the misfortune to be there.

[steam for ever]

If the passengers felt that they were in danger at any time they should have notified train crew. I do doubt that if in immediate danger or in a state of exreme emergency then passengers do not have to wait for permission; ie a serious accident.
Still I have been on many delayed trains I have never felt the urge to jump off it. Granted I have offered to drive the thing myself if a certain amount of time has passed.

Intoxication could be at fault here.

[bramleyman]

Originally Posted by John H-T

Does this mean that there is no railway official on the train apart from the Driver?

Best wishes,

John H-T.

That is 100% correct John H-T. I was one against DOO, but then I was just a minority at the time. I honestly Loved being the Guard on trains. On the odd occasion, you Might get a Revenue Protection Officer/Ticket Inspector on board, but this is extremely rare these days.

Living close to the line from Kings Lynn and hearing quite a bit about this event on local radio, it has been said that it was an 8-car Class 365 EMU and failed some 500 yards from the nearest station being Foxton, one station from Cambridge. This train apparently stood there for over 3 hours, before another was sent out to rescue the stranded passengers. What the reason for failure was, I know not, but have heard it was to do with the OHL, which is the main reason the passengers should NEVER have got off, knowing the high voltage along the line.

Hope this is of help.

[John H-T]

Thanks for that Bramleyman. I am appalled that there is no one on these trains to look after passengers. As this incident shows it is a cut too far!

Best wishes,

John H-T.

[klordger1900]

I would hope that if the OHL came down that it would trip out on something before there was any chance of passengers getting near a loose live wire??

[bramleyman]

Originally Posted by klordger1900

I would hope that if the OHL came down that it would trip out on something before there was any chance of passengers getting near a loose live wire??

I may be wrong, but after experiencing the OHL coming down in Kings Lynn Station whilst actually cleaning a train years ago, I believe the OHL Does trip out, but all the same, I did inform Romford by phone within minutes, and then made arrangements for Buses to be laid on until it could be repaired.