Cumbria Train Crash

[Claw]

From what I have seen on TV and read, it seems they are moving the derailed carriages off the track and moving them out by road. They've made a road purposely for access and removal... I can understand the road being made for accessibility but why don't they move the carriages out by rail?

[Hippy]

Because they're F*cked?

[Claw]

Hmm... I'm not sure I see your line of reasoning...

[Hippy]

Well if the coaches have come off the tracks, most likely that the chassis have bent, axles twisted etc.
Nobody's gonna sit and measure them to make sure they'll go back on the rails, so easier just to load em onto a truck.

[Eagle]

Well if the coaches have come off the tracks, most likely that the chassis have bent, axles twisted etc.
Nobody's gonna sit and measure them to make sure they'll go back on the rails, so easier just to load em onto a truck.

Thats what I was gonna say but couldn't be bothered to post it

[Claw]

I'd taken that into account, but there is also the option of loading the duff carriages onto 'flat bed' freight type carriages. In addition to this they are going to have to separate the carriages as they are all still connected, and in this time they could have made the assessments you describe.

If they don't break up the carriages (i.e., crush them on site) then I can only imagine it being a logistical nightmare on the roads shifting them - especially through country roads.

I always wondered if I had missed out on something in life by not being a trainspotter in my youth... well, there's your answer.

[Jase]

On a lot of tracks there are purpose built bridges that only allow a small width / height addition to the carriages. Putting a carriage ontop of a flatbed would have the same effect of driving a double decker under a low bridge.