If you see something dangerous on a line, who to call?

[Howardh]

Regarding the tree causing severe damage to the HST, if a passer by (say over a bridge) sees something on a line which is potentially dangerous, how would one report it that (a) would immediately get through and (b) be dealt with quickly?

If I saw something like an over-blown tree my instant reaction would be to dial 999 in the hope they could alert - well, whoever, as a passer-by I wouldn't have any other clue.

 

[skyhigh]

03457 11 41 41 (which is the Network Rail emergency number) or 999.

Emergency?​

Please call our emergency 24 hour helpline on 03457 11 41 41 if there’s a safety threat to you or to others such as:

• people, animals, trees or objects on or near the track
• damage or fault at a level crossing
• a vehicle has hit a bridge
• a broken fence or open gate allowing access to the track.

If you report a safety threat to you or others, we will prioritise this and respond as quickly as possible.

Contact us - Network Rail

Live chat or call. For safety issues call our 24 hour helpline: 03457 11 41 41 To report a crime call the BTP: 0800 40 50 40, 999 or text: 61016

www.networkrail.co.uk

 

[najaB]

Regarding the tree causing severe damage to the HST, if a passer by (say over a bridge) sees something on a line which is potentially dangerous, how would one report it that (a) would immediately get through and (b) be dealt with quickly?

If I saw something like an over-blown tree my instant reaction would be to dial 999 in the hope they could alert - well, whoever, as a passer-by I wouldn't have any other clue.

Ideally you'd call Network Rail (contact info here: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/contact-us/), but 999 would be a good start. They should be able to get the information to NR reasonably quickly.

 

[Howardh]

Ideally you'd call Network Rail (contact info here: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/contact-us/), but 999 would be a good start. They should be able to get the information to NR reasonably quickly.

Thanks, in view of our regular pattern of stormy weather, maybe that number should be prominent where pedestrians can see a rail line, on bridges and footpaths adjacent? One example near me is the river footpath towards Lostock alongside the track, a problem could easily be identified there so a number placed on the fencing every so often could assist?

 

[43066]

Regarding the tree causing severe damage to the HST, if a passer by (say over a bridge) sees something on a line which is potentially dangerous, how would one report it that (a) would immediately get through and (b) be dealt with quickly?

If I saw something like an over-blown tree my instant reaction would be to dial 999 in the hope they could alert - well, whoever, as a passer-by I wouldn't have any other clue.

999 if you witness something from outside railway infrastructure. Line side (shown by an X, or telephone handset symbol) or signal post telephone (shown by zebra stripes) if you’re on a platform and there’s one handy. Only for use in genuine emergencies, though!

Help points also have an emergency button I believe, but this (AFAIK) is to the TOC rather than to the signaller.

 

[Somewhere]

All the emergency services have contact with the Route Controls, so 999 if you haven't got Network Rail's number to hand
Give an accurate location (Grid Reference, What 3 Words) if you can, particularly in an area where there's more than one railway line. Some areas, I'm thinking South London, where you have different railways with bridges crossing the same road, which come under different Route Controls

 

[ComUtoR]

Thanks, in view of our regular pattern of stormy weather, maybe that number should be prominent where pedestrians can see a rail line, on bridges ...

Bridges generally have a contact number in case of a bridge strike. Not sure if it's the same number

 

[Howardh]

All the emergency services have contact with the Route Controls, so 999 if you haven't got Network Rail's number to hand
Give an accurate location (Grid Reference, What 3 Words) if you can, particularly in an area where there's more than one railway line

Can the emergency services now pick up your location based on your mobile's signal - or at least near enough? I know that if I am broken down, my breakdown recovery's app will identify my position on contact, not sure if I have to turn on any other bits to allow location; but I imagine simply the signal will be enough?

Bridges generally have a contact number in case of a bridge strike. Not sure if it's the same number

Thought of that and seen them but won't that be bridges under the rail, whereas it's bridges over the rail where passers-by (rather than drivers!) will see any damage to the lines?

 

[The Puddock]

Bridges generally have a contact number in case of a bridge strike. Not sure if it's the same number

The phone number on the bridge strike sign goes directly to Network Rail Control for that area.

Thought of that and seen them but won't that be bridges under the rail, whereas it's bridges over the rail where passers-by (rather than drivers!) will see any damage to the lines?

All vehicular bridges on NR infrastructure over and under the railway should now have a sign, there was a massive program of fitting them.

 

[noddingdonkey]

It's a York 01904 number on the bridges near me.

I think I saw on one of the traning video on YouTube for emergency services dealing with incidents on the railway that NR like to be given things like signal, bridge or OHLE infrastructure numbers to identify locations.

 

[12LDA28C]

Thanks, in view of our regular pattern of stormy weather, maybe that number should be prominent where pedestrians can see a rail line, on bridges and footpaths adjacent? One example near me is the river footpath towards Lostock alongside the track, a problem could easily be identified there so a number placed on the fencing every so often could assist?

There would be no need for a number on the fence however if the path runs adjacent to the railway for some distance and you know what number to call then there may well be a signal or milepost visible to identify the location (should be every 1/4 mile) or if you want to be really specific you could try installing the 'what3words' app on your phone which would allow you to give a very precise location of the problem as long as you checked your phone prior to making the call.

Road bridges under the railway often have a sign displaying the bridge/structure number and a phone number to call if the bridge is struck by a road vehicle but that's about as far as it goes.

 

[Greenheart]

A few months ago after a period of stormy weather I saw a tree on a line from a footbridge and called the Network Rail emergency number I had select various options and then got through to someone - I had a bridge number but they couldn't use that to find the location (and seemed annoyed that I suggested it) - they wanted a post code (which I didn't have, I was walking in the country), or the street address.

It didn't feel like a professional call to be honest, quickly getting the key details as you might expect from a trained 999 handler.

 

[The Puddock]

A few months ago after a period of stormy weather I saw a tree on a line from a footbridge and called the Network Rail emergency number I had select various options and then got through to someone - I had a bridge number but they couldn't use that to find the location (and seemed annoyed that I suggested it) - they wanted a post code (which I didn't have, I was walking in the country), or the street address.

It didn't feel like a professional call to be honest, quickly getting the key details as you might expect from a trained 999 handler.

The Network Rail helpline is provided by an external contract call centre but I'm not sure how much training they receive for the role. They do have access to a specialist railway mapping tool developed by NR which can take a postcode and produce a railway mileage. You can also use this to search for structures (using the engineer's line reference and bridge number) but that's not a beginner level task. The trouble is they have a limited number of operators answering calls for the whole UK rail network from members of the public who often don't really know where they are, so there's very limited scope for local knowledge to come into play.

 

[Howardh]

A few months ago after a period of stormy weather I saw a tree on a line from a footbridge and called the Network Rail emergency number I had select various options and then got through to someone - I had a bridge number but they couldn't use that to find the location (and seemed annoyed that I suggested it) - they wanted a post code (which I didn't have, I was walking in the country), or the street address.

It didn't feel like a professional call to be honest, quickly getting the key details as you might expect from a trained 999 handler.

If you ring 999 and they ask which of the three services do you want, I suppose none of them immediately, you just ned to get a message through the network rail to red signal the location and then work on the issue. Would the person receiving the call have an option to do that, or would they say "speak to the police or fire brigade"?

 

[The exile]

The Network Rail helpline is provided by an external contract call centre but I'm not sure how much training they receive for the role. number) but that's not a beginner level task. The trouble is they have a limited number of operators answering calls for the whole UK rail network from members of the public who often don't really know where they are,

Unfortunately symptomatic of our “cost of everything; value of nothing” culture. This is a job for experts…

 

[bleeder4]

Earlier this month someone posted on Facebook that they had found a hole in the sea wall on the Cambrian Coast line. They reported it via the live chat on Network Rail's website and it was filled in a short time later. Here's a screenshot of the post.

 

[The Puddock]

If you ring 999 and they ask which of the three services do you want, I suppose none of them immediately, you just ned to get a message through the network rail to red signal the location and then work on the issue. Would the person receiving the call have an option to do that, or would they say "speak to the police or fire brigade"?

The BT emergency operator won't put you through to Network Rail. All the emergency services have direct numbers for the various NR Controls, so in practice it doesn't matter which one you speak to. I've always been told if you don't know which service you require, or if you ask for more than one service, you'll be put through to the police first.

 

[Saj8]

The emergency services can text you a link while speaking to you which you can click on, and sends you to a Web page which will obtain your exact location and send it to the operator you are speaking to. Obviously it depends on you having mobile data access though.

 

[Howardh]

The emergency services can text you a link while speaking to you which you can click on, and sends you to a Web page which will obtain your exact location and send it to the operator you are speaking to. Obviously it depends on you having mobile data access though.

Yes, I think it's possible to dial 999 and get through even if you have neither the data nor the call allowance, as long as there's some battery left! Whether they can get your location through that alone I'm not sure, but as there's a a signal and a pick-up point, they should get close?

 

[MadMarsupial]

Yes, I think it's possible to dial 999 and get through even if you have neither the data nor the call allowance, as long as there's some battery left! Whether they can get your location through that alone I'm not sure, but as there's a a signal and a pick-up point, they should get close?

Mountain Rescue Teams use something similar called Sarloc which finds your location very accurately. It is described in more detail in this article https://www.dsrtashburton.org.uk/co...method-for-locating-lost-climbers-and-walkers

 

[Recessio]

The phone number on the bridge strike sign goes directly to Network Rail Control for that area.

All vehicular bridges on NR infrastructure over and under the railway should now have a sign, there was a massive program of fitting them.

Some of those signs still mention RailTrack or even British Rail, I'm hoping it's still the same phone number in use throughout all of these years name changes...

 

[Mojo]

I've always been told if you don't know which service you require, or if you ask for more than one service, you'll be put through to the police first.

I suppose this makes sense as to an extent the police can deal with any sort of incident at an operational level. I’d personally always ask to speak to the fire brigade if sensible as they are the least busy of the three main emergency services and you’re most likely to speak to someone there without going onto hold.

 

[Zamracene749]

Perhaps the person that spotted the obstruction should have run down the lineside waving a poppy?
Joking aside, would any of the drivers on here actually slow down if you saw a member of the public frantically waving something red, railway children style?

 

[The Puddock]

Some of those signs still mention RailTrack or even British Rail, I'm hoping it's still the same phone number in use throughout all of these years name changes...

Control room phone numbers (and railway phone numbers in general) tend to be long lived. In any case the signs are updated when numbers change. Also when telecoms change a number for an operating location such as a control room or signalbox, they will put a divert on the old number typically for five years but for a minimum of 12 months, which gives time for signage and other records to be updated.

 

[Trainguy34]

Joking aside, would any of the drivers on here actually slow down if you saw a member of the public frantically waving something red, railway children style?

Probably if it counts as trespassing.

 

[6Gman]

A few months ago after a period of stormy weather I saw a tree on a line from a footbridge and called the Network Rail emergency number I had select various options and then got through to someone - I had a bridge number but they couldn't use that to find the location (and seemed annoyed that I suggested it) - they wanted a post code (which I didn't have, I was walking in the country), or the street address.

It didn't feel like a professional call to be honest, quickly getting the key details as you might expect from a trained 999 handler.

That was my experience two or three years ago. Noticed an unsecured gate next to a power feeder to the WCML which allowed access to both the facility and the track. Happily it was next to a bridge complete with sign giving a phone number and the identity of the bridge.

Call was answered quickly but they then wanted a postcode or the name of the lane I was on (I had no reason to know either). Utterly bizarre that they couldn't pinpoint it immediately from the identity of the bridge!

 

[Snow1964]

Call was answered quickly but they then wanted a postcode or the name of the lane I was on (I had no reason to know either). Utterly bizarre that they couldn't pinpoint it immediately from the identity of the bridge!

Some of these people must never have visited the country, I have checked a sign where a footpath crosses the railway, beware of trains signs etc, but nothing with a postcode.

Its like asking someone what is the postcode of a supermarket in next town, info normal people do not need or know, so why if postcode isn't known are they so lost at locating even if you know nearest road name

 

[Purple Train]

999 if you witness something from outside railway infrastructure. Line side (shown by an X, or telephone handset symbol) or signal post telephone (shown by zebra stripes) if you’re on a platform and there’s one handy. Only for use in genuine emergencies, though!

Help points also have an emergency button I believe, but this (AFAIK) is to the TOC rather than to the signaller.

Would it be 999 from a platform if there wasn't a signal post telephone on said platform?

 

[Dieseldriver]

Perhaps the person that spotted the obstruction should have run down the lineside waving a poppy?
Joking aside, would any of the drivers on here actually slow down if you saw a member of the public frantically waving something red, railway children style?

I have once stopped approaching a station on a curve in darkness when someone was waving a phone light/torch from an overbridge as I approached. When I spoke to them they were just using it to wave at me for me to blow the horn. No issue really, better to be safe than sorry.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

I have once stopped approaching a station on a curve in darkness when someone was waving a phone light/torch from an overbridge as I approached. When I spoke to them they were just using it to wave at me for me to blow the horn. No issue really, better to be safe than sorry.

"Any light waved violently denotes danger" - as I seem to recall in rules sessions a long time ago. Is it still in the book...?