Following on from the media hysteria following the sacking of a ticket office clerk for accessing the rails to remove a shopping trolley, I decided to do some research into just how strong trains are. Following an exhaustive study I am now in a position to publish my findings.
Case 1 – When an irresistible force meets an immovable object
100mph train meets stationary nuclear flask = total destruction of locomotive and significant damage to passenger coaches causing serious injury & death.
Case 2 – When an irresistible force meets a movable object
Train travelling at mainline speed hits Renault Espace on level crossing = total destruction of car causing certain death to driver and passengers. Damage to train = scratched paintwork.
Case 3 – When an irresistible force meets a minor object
Due to lack of data I had to use an American example for this case study.
Train travelling at approx 45-50mph hits shopping cart = train chews up trolley and swats it aside causing no damage to the train, no derailment and thus no fatalities of injuries to either train crew or passengers.
Conclusion
After viewing the above case studies I leave up to you dear readers the decision as to whether a person working at a station where trains pass at maximum 30mph is justified in leaping onto a rail line to remove a shopping trolley “to prevent a disaster”. Especially when not holding a certificate allowing this.
As always, if you wish to air your views, please feel free to leave comments in the usual way.
This blog has been designed to allow me to post news & stories from the Railways, both real and model. I also intend to share a few stories from my work as a Revenue Protection Officer along the way.
The opinions expressed on this blog are exclusively mine and in no way, shape or form reflect the opinions of my employer.
All Tickets Please 
Trains vs Objects
May 26, 2011Following on from the media hysteria following the sacking of a ticket office clerk for accessing the rails to remove a shopping trolley, I decided to do some research into just how strong trains are. Following an exhaustive study I am now in a position to publish my findings.
Case 1 – When an irresistible force meets an immovable object
100mph train meets stationary nuclear flask = total destruction of locomotive and significant damage to passenger coaches causing serious injury & death.
Case 2 – When an irresistible force meets a movable object
Train travelling at mainline speed hits Renault Espace on level crossing = total destruction of car causing certain death to driver and passengers. Damage to train = scratched paintwork.
Case 3 – When an irresistible force meets a minor object
Due to lack of data I had to use an American example for this case study.
Train travelling at approx 45-50mph hits shopping cart = train chews up trolley and swats it aside causing no damage to the train, no derailment and thus no fatalities of injuries to either train crew or passengers.
Conclusion
After viewing the above case studies I leave up to you dear readers the decision as to whether a person working at a station where trains pass at maximum 30mph is justified in leaping onto a rail line to remove a shopping trolley “to prevent a disaster”. Especially when not holding a certificate allowing this.
As always, if you wish to air your views, please feel free to leave comments in the usual way.