Disruption Derby - Birmingham 11/09/24 - Cows on the line

[thecrofter]

When arriving at Burton Station to catch the 10:21 from Burton to Birmingham (Nottingham - Cardiff service) an announcement was made via the PA to advise that a train had struck cows on the line between Burton and Tamworth and that the 10:21 was being terminated at Derby. Passengers for Birmingham and beyond were advised to catch the 06:06 Edinburgh - Plymouth (1V50) which made an extra stop at Burton and was routed via the Cross City line, arriving into Birmingham some 40 mins late. Not sure what happened to the cows (or the train) but I saw 170111 / 170117 in Elford Loop with staff trackside on my return journey this afternoon. Cross Country didn't seem to make too much of an effort on X to report the ongoing issue although one message I read claimed a person had been stuck on the train for 3 hours and had missed a flight!

Any insider griff on the outcome?

Edited after moderator comments.

Re-edit to link X comment on 3 hour delay - https://x.com/MariannaEloise/status/1833824638591262762

 

[800001]

Apparently 1G12 the 08:39 Nottingham to Birmingham struck cows on the line near Wichnor Junction today (11 September 2024). I was due to catch the 10:21 from Burton to Birmingham (Nottingham - Cardiff) which was caped at Derby. 1V50 the 06:06 Edinburgh - Plymouth made an extra stop at Burton and was routed via the Cross City line into Birmingham arriving some 40 mins late. Not sure what happened to the cows (or the train) but 170111 / 170117 was still in Elford Loop with staff trackside on my return journey this afternoon. Cross Country didn't seem to make too much of an effort on X to report the ongoing issue although one message I read claimed a person had been stuck on the train for 3 hours and had missed a flight!

Any insider griff on the outcome?

Lead to believe it was actually Water Buffalo that the train hit…….that is going to cause some serious damage to a train!

 

[rower40]

When/how was 1G12 evacuated, given that it’s still in the Elford loop now?

 

[Iskra]

When/how was 1G12 evacuated, given that it’s still in the Elford loop now?

Presumably train to train evacuation.

 

[rower40]

The reason I ask is that the trains on the up line all lost only 10-15 mins between Tamworth and Wichnor, which doesn’t seem long enough to evacuate a train on an adjacent line.

 

[blueberry11]

I thought that's the reason why railway fences are mandatory, to keep cattle away from the railway. Maybe its because there is a hole in the fence?

 

[800001]

I thought that's the reason why railway fences are mandatory, to keep cattle away from the railway. Maybe its because there is a hole in the fence?

Cattle can easily knock a fence down…..

Presumably train to train evacuation.

Correct. Set came ecs from New Street at 5D30z

 

[Mugby]

Correct. Set came ecs from New Street at 5D30z

That would have been interesting, presumably the set which came from New Street would have been crossed on to the Down line somewhere, Elford Crossover or Wichnor, to get alongside the stricken unit but there's quite a gap between the Loop and the Down Main.

 

[LowLevel]

2 unfortunate deceased buffalo and one damaged 170 to be dragged by the other one to Central Rivers at 5 mph tonight apparently for attention.

Very lucky it wasn't worse than it was.

 

[Russel]

Where abouts did this happen?

I use the route regular and can't recall ever noticing buffalo before, I'll have to keep an eye out in future!

 

[Iskra]

That would have been interesting, presumably the set which came from New Street would have been crossed on to the Down line somewhere, Elford Crossover or Wichnor, to get alongside the stricken unit but there's quite a gap between the Loop and the Down Main.

Looking at pictures online, there is a bit of the loop that is adjacent to the main lines, so it’s possible the unit moved to that part of the line.

Where abouts did this happen?

I use the route regular and can't recall ever noticing buffalo before, I'll have to keep an eye out in future!

I saw them earlier in the year while on a railtour, there’s a full herd of them and they reminded me of being in Italy.

 

[thecrofter]

Where abouts did this happen?

I use the route regular and can't recall ever noticing buffalo before, I'll have to keep an eye out in future!

A quick internet search will show you a Water Buffalo farm at Croxall.

 

[43066]

2 unfortunate deceased buffalo and one damaged 170 to be dragged by the other one to Central Rivers at 5 mph tonight apparently for attention.

Very lucky it wasn't worse than it was.

Of all the things to hit, that’s one of the more unusual possibilities! No doubt very scary and traumatic for all concerned though…

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

2 unfortunate deceased buffalo and one damaged 170 to be dragged by the other one to Central Rivers at 5 mph tonight apparently for attention.

Very lucky it wasn't worse than it was.

Dragging two deceased buffalo to Central Rivers for attention sounds exceptionally messy (and futile.)

Oh wait

 

[NSEWonderer]

A post from a Driver Team Manager at crosscountry showing a picture of a ramp being placed for the controlled evacuation on LinkedIn.

An unexpected day spent responding to a stranded train after it struck a number of cows at Wichnor. A controlled evacuation and a great bit of teamwork ensure everyone remained safe and well (sadly the cows weren't so lucky). Day topped off with a spot of propelling to clear the line! All in a day's work #ilovemyjob #railwayfamily

 

[DJ_K666]

Barbecue!!!

Dragging two deceased buffalo to Central Rivers for attention sounds exceptionally messy (and futile.)

Oh wait

More barbecue!

 

[thecrofter]

Units are still in Elford Loop as of 15:30 today according to Traksy. Must be more difficult to move than originally thought?

 

[LowLevel]

Units are still in Elford Loop as of 15:30 today according to Traksy. Must be more difficult to move than originally thought?

They were to be moved last night but the NR staff were diverted to deal with a fatality. Now Saturday night.

 

[Mugby]

They were to be moved last night but the NR staff were diverted to deal with a fatality. Now Saturday night.

That must be causing some problems because the loop is very well used by oil tankers waiting entry into Kingsbury whilst expresses overtake them on the main line.

 

[thecrofter]

Traksy shows Unit(s) back in Central Rivers this morning.