Re: Clocks on trains - why not?

On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 21:49:09 +0100, "Martin Underwood" <news@xxxxxxx>
wrote:

>"Peter Masson" <peter.masson1@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>news:dg4o8a$lem$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>> "james matterface" <j_matterfaceNOSPAM@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote
>>> >
>>> > Why should there be when even drivers weren't required to have a watch
>>> while
>>> > on duty? If the drivers didn't need watches, why would the passengers?
>>> >
>>>
>>> I think you'll find that ( on SWT at least ) drivers ARE required to wear
>> a
>>> watch on duty .
>>>
>> They are now, but it wasn't always the case. Bill Hoole, a top link driver
>> at Kings Cross in the 1950s, never used to carry a watch, even after he
>> was
>> given one as a long service award. One of his firemen said he would always
>> try to run ahead of time as long as the signalmen and Control would let
>> him.
>
>Likewise at one time there was no requirement for steam locos to have
>speedometers. It must have taken exceptional skill for drivers to be able to
>judge their speed, especially in the dark. No doubt errors in judging speed
>were partly responsible for some of the speed-related derailments such as
>Shrewsbury and Salisbury.
>

Doncaster 1951 was attributed partially to lack of speedo, and trains
passing over the scissors were causing rail keys (wooden blocks
wedging the rail into the chair) excessive movement and falling out.
It happened while inspectors were looking at the causes after the
incident - they were stood watching a train pass over at a
deliberately faster than allowed speed and the key dropped out right
before their eyes. The conclusion was already ascertained that the
derailed train had exceeded the speed but here was their proof of what
was happening when trains did. PW staff had not been maintaining the
xover and when the key fell out, the wing rail dropped into the gap
forcing the opposite wheels up and over the far rail.
.

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