I guess it depends on how quickly they can get the de-icing units out and about.
I'm not sure if it still gets used as a de-icing unit in service but 507001 has before now been equipped with what appears to be a 3rd rail pickup shoe on the middle coach but is used to break up any ice that forms on the 3rd rail.
as well as that, it has also had a tank fitted at the same end as the ice breaking shoe which is filled with de-icing fluid.
So in a sense, besides the usual de-icer units, there is at least 1 passenger unit that can be used alongside them to assist.
(07/01/2021 18:16)313201 Wrote: [ -> ]I guess it depends on how quickly they can get the de-icing units out and about.
I'm not sure if it still gets used as a de-icing unit in service but 507001 has before now been equipped with what appears to be a 3rd rail pickup shoe on the middle coach but is used to break up any ice that forms on the 3rd rail.
as well as that, it has also had a tank fitted at the same end as the ice breaking shoe which is filled with de-icing fluid.
So in a sense, besides the usual de-icer units, there is at least 1 passenger unit that can be used alongside them to assist.
The only unit which can defrost the lines is network rails mpv.
Route provers are just a couple of normal 507/8s coupled together and sent round to keep the rails clear .
No mention of ticket acceptance via Wigan, Runcorn or Crewe where appropriate and it seems they think existing buses are a suitable alternative for those who have to travel.
(07/01/2021 18:16)313201 Wrote: [ -> ]I guess it depends on how quickly they can get the de-icing units out and about.
I'm not sure if it still gets used as a de-icing unit in service but 507001 has before now been equipped with what appears to be a 3rd rail pickup shoe on the middle coach but is used to break up any ice that forms on the 3rd rail.
as well as that, it has also had a tank fitted at the same end as the ice breaking shoe which is filled with de-icing fluid.
So in a sense, besides the usual de-icer units, there is at least 1 passenger unit that can be used alongside them to assist.
There’s a Thunderbird loco stationed at Chester to do any rescues necessary with possible third rail icing after last week. It’s 57312, LD from Leicester as it has special couplers ( took the 508s away for scrap last year)
If I may I would just like to add for the record that what I said in my post about 507001 being fitted with a tank for de-icing fluid as well as the 3rd rail de-icing shoe which does not collect power for the unit was told to me by a merseyrail driver a few years ago.
A note here for the moderators too in that I am not trying to cause any form of arguments or debate, merely saying what I was told.
Am I just missing the point here. I've been travelling on merseyrail since the late 60s, and this is the first time I've heard theres going to be no service tomorrow because its going to be -3c tonight. This is right up there with BA cancelling all LHR flights because there may be an inch or two of snow in London tomorrow. It's winter ffs be prepared to deal with it!
(08/01/2021 01:05)SNL 824 Wrote: [ -> ]Am I just missing the point here. I've been travelling on merseyrail since the late 60s, and this is the first time I've heard theres going to be no service tomorrow because its going to be -3c tonight. This is right up there with BA cancelling all LHR flights because there may be an inch or two of snow in London tomorrow. It's winter ffs be prepared to deal with it!
I recall on a previous winter's day when I tried to get from Liverpool to Chester, the trains at Central were being advertised as only going to Rock Ferry, from where replacement buses were operating. However, after getting off the train at Rock Ferry and waiting for the replacement bus we were told to get back on the train as they were resuming a service to Ellesmere Port and would be running a shuttle to Chester from Hooton. Certainly no full closure and they were reopening closed sections as soon as they could.
Also I'm not sure what's it like 20-30 miles west from where I am but here today is warmer than it was on the morning of 28 Dec 2020 and there's also less snow.
I notice the first TfW Chester to Liverpool service this morning left 35 minutes late. Double whammy for those who were only using it due to the lack of Merseyrail service.
There has been major signalling problems on the Hooton line , which at the time of writing is still ongoing , it has resulted in only 3 services to Liverpool and 2 services to Hooton operating before the service was suspended .
A rail replacement bus service is in operation between Hooton and Birkenhead Central.
One major problem with a signalling failure on the Hooton line is the interface between Chester and Sandhills .
Service Restored at 1921 to be suspended for another signalling defect at 1958 , also between Birkenhead Central and Hooton.
(08/01/2021 01:05)SNL 824 Wrote: [ -> ]Am I just missing the point here. I've been travelling on merseyrail since the late 60s, and this is the first time I've heard theres going to be no service tomorrow because its going to be -3c tonight. This is right up there with BA cancelling all LHR flights because there may be an inch or two of snow in London tomorrow. It's winter ffs be prepared to deal with it!
To avoid criticism when their nice new trains set one shoe on an icy conductor rail and their electronics shut them down perhaps?