Speed Limit in Wash Plants

[TheEdge]

Open question to those that know.

Speed limit through wash plants operating is 3mph. What do other drivers out there think the speed limit is when the plant is non operational. I've always thought it was 5mph, it is at my main depot. However some depots for the same TOC maintain it is 3mph regardless of if it is on or off.

Or am I totally missing everything and is it just down to local instructions at each depot?

 

[Eccles1983]

2mph through the one I use at all times.

Same for the fuel road.

 

[Minilad]

I only go through one. 3mph on and 10mph off
Pretty sure it's down to local instructions.
Fuel road is 3mph

 

[Tomnick]

It's down to local instructions at each depot, surely? It's certainly not in any national standard that I'm aware of.

Ours is 3mph at all times.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

3 mph when washing, 10 when not, but it does seem to vary from plant to plant.

 

[jamesst]

5mph through mine, washing or not. Used to be 3 but it was found that the doors were being forced open by the brushes!

 

[ComUtoR]

Ours is 3mph at all times. I've never heard anything said about it being on or off. At ours there is a 3mph PSR board at the entrance so that too would also dictate the speed irrespective of on/off.

3mph is to reduce damage as speeding through the wash tends to damage the rollers. We have overhead rollers because I'm down in the land of DC. We have an issue at one of our depots where going 3mph in a 4 car will pretty much gap it every time. 5mph will just about get you through :/

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Ours is 3mph at all times. I've never heard anything said about it being on or off. At ours there is a 3mph PSR board at the entrance so that too would also dictate the speed irrespective of on/off.

3mph is to reduce damage as speeding through the wash tends to damage the rollers. We have overhead rollers because I'm down in the land of DC. We have an issue at one of our depots where going 3mph in a 4 car will pretty much gap it every time. 5mph will just about get you through :/

I know one cocky DM (now retired) who took the pee out of a driver who got gapped going through the CWM at Fratton and the next day tried doing it himself and suffered the same fate, in front of an audience of drivers. Oh the how nice it was to see him do the "walk of shame" to get another 8 cars to push him out.

 

[CAF397]

3mph at all times on ours.

 

[driver_m]

Our wash plant is 4mph when washing 390s. It does vary from depot to depot. As far as I'm aware if it's not in use then it's 5mph as per usual on depots unless you have specific instructions to do a different speed.

 

[CAF397]

It is strange because when we enter the depot and the wash is in use it’s 3, but when we leave and the wash is not in use it’s still 3!

 

[Raul_Duke]

Ours is 3mph, but it’s at the end of the fuel line which is also 3mph and the layout of the depot means you very rarely go through it the wrong way. 5mph once your back end is clear.

 

[TheEdge]

Oh right, so long story shorts is local instructions and everyone is equally right and wrong.

 

[pompeyfan]

I’ve found this on a friends social media, I’ve cut the picture to protect their identity but you get the point.

 

[sw1ller]

Wait..... you lot have to wash yours?? We must be posh! The depot mechanics do ours! We vary rarely drive on the fuel road too! But it’s 5 mph all over.

 

[dk1]

Always confused me Edge. I take it it's 3mph when washing but 5mph when not. However the washer in question has been so crap over the years & the blasted thing often kicked in after the cab had passed. I don't think you'll end on a plan for 2mph however. Might ask a DM next week if I remember.

 

[dk1]

Just had it confirmed that it's 5mph at the plant in question.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

0 - when handbashing , the very best way to clean a unit or loco.



Spent a very enjoyable evening many years ago , hand cleaning 3 x 86 at Willesden TMD , (better than dong nothing) , and when the driver who came to pick them up to take down to Euston for the night sleepers , complimented us on our job (not realising we were "management" , not labourers , we went home at 2200 , well pleased....) - staff meeting cancelled , so thought we would add to BR's value by doing some hand cleaning.

 

[Raul_Duke]

0 - when handbashing , the very best way to clean a unit or loco.



Spent a very enjoyable evening many years ago , hand cleaning 3 x 86 at Willesden TMD , (better than dong nothing) , and when the driver who came to pick them up to take down to Euston for the night sleepers , complimented us on our job (not realising we were "management" , not labourers , we went home at 2200 , well pleased....) - staff meeting cancelled , so thought we would add to BR's value by doing some hand cleaning.

You’re lucky to be with us still, if the stories I’ve heard about BR hand bashing chemicals are true...

 

[ChiefPlanner]

You’re lucky to be with us still, if the stories I’ve heard about BR hand bashing chemicals are true...

No - not the dreaded Exmover - a benign hot water and soapy suds mix - those acid washes were well out of it then -