European Railroad Discussion > Hogwarts Express Shut Down

Following a Stop Signal violation or, in UK parlance, a Signal Passed At Danger (SPAD).

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3025228/Hogwarts-Express-suspended-Company-runs-train-Harry-Potter-films-banned-rail-network-100mph-near-miss.html



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/06/15 05:38 by knotch8.

On April 1st West Coast Railway Company had their operating licence revoked by Network Rail following a SPAD incident on March 7th at Wootton Bassett Junction on the return Cathedrals Express from Bristol to Southend. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch produced their report which included serious questions about the action of the crew, prompting Network Rail to take this unprecedented action. This is having a significant impact on mainline steam operations.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/05/15 15:45 by 86235.

"According to reports, a 100mph collision between a steam excursion and a First Great Western high speed train was missed by barely a minute."

This sounds serious. Any idea how they missed the signal? Was this a single line or a double track?

 

Multiple-track main line, full details on the official website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dangerous-occurrence-at-wootton-bassett-junction-wiltshire

 

To give you a picture of the impact this week there were 8 steam railtours which West Coast (WCRC) planned to operate. Seven have already been cancelled and the eighth (Bridlington to Carlisle on Saturday) also looks like it wil be cancelled as WCRC remain the operators. At present the next 'definite' steam operation on National Rail looks to be the Belmond British Pullman on the 17th April which is a DBS operation. Railtour operators are desperately trying to line up alternative traction, but this is proving very ddifficult. WCRC also provide internal combustion power as well, that's easier to source elsewhere (DBS and DRS) but not easy to organise at short notice. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/09/15 10:56 by 86235.