Inquiry over speeding train claim (BBC News)
 

Rail investigators launch an inquiry after claims a train broke the speed limit on a restricted piece of track.

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I personally do not believe any driver would endanger his/her train by travelling over a 20mph restriction at 80mph.

But hey ho!!!!!

Les

How can they tell. Are trains fitted with black box speed recorders?

I have seen them use handheld speed cameras on Preston station a few times.

Chris.

Yes, is the simple answer to this

Modern units and locomotives have data recorders and the older units are retro fitted.

Traction inspectors and the BTP regularly check the speed of trains with a radar speed trap the same as the police use.

Les

I saw a similar situation to this a couple of months ago (it's not uncommon, sadly).

If it was a Emergency Speed Restriction or Temporary Speed Restriction, and the driver didn't know it was there, he would naturally continue at linespeed through the restriction, thereby doing 90mph (or whatever) through the temporary limit.

All traction units which work over mainline metals have to have an OTMR (On-Train Monitor Recorder), and that will reveal all.

The next obvious question is why didn't the driver know about the ESR/TSR ? If the warning boards weren't set up right he'll possibly be in the clear, but if he didn't see them he'll probably be looking at a 'Safety of the Line Incident' etched forever on his licence, as well as 11 points. Hey ho, there but for the grace of God go all of us drivers :rolleyes:

I wouldn't endanger my train by breaking speed limits

The enquiry into this incident has now been published.
http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources/081030_R222008_Ty%20Mawr%20-1.pdf
The signaller had notified the driver of the unmarked Emergency Speed Restriction 10 miles before he reached it but he then forgot about it. The report highlights just how easy this type of incident can happen.

Thanks for that link John.

What a typically British F*** Up. The ultrasonic team goes out looking for rail faults. And when they find one it's almost inevitable that an ESR will be put in place. So why not give them the task of laying out 'preliminary' Warning Boards whilst they're there ? They wouldn't even have to carry the large dalek (Emergency Speed Indicator) or thumping great magnets as the signaller has warned the driver of position of the ESR (in the London area you don't get magnets for TSR/ESRs anyway). Just so long as some sort of reminder is set up immediately. This lash up would only need to be in place until a 'proper' full ESR was established. It's got to be better than doing nothing.

All those Safety Experts getting payed a kings ransom, and they couldn't run a bath. Makes you want to weep. :rolleyes: