I decided not to post anything about last night's incident on 2W63 at Backwell until I'd heard that people were safe, which I'm pleased to say it seems is the case this morning. This kind of thing happens rarely enough to make it big news, and there is generally a bit of a hysterical response. Happily, aside from some factual errors the BBC seems to have covered events quite soberly so far. Its also comforting to hear that the evacuation was handled calmly and correctly by railway staff, although this seems to have been misunderstood by some (understandably terrified) passengers.
Whatever one's opinion of the Class 143 units, they have been workhorses for Wessex Trains covering the Bristol to Weston/Taunton routes alone or in pairs for much of the day. The nine two-car units have been refurbished to a high standard inside, but admittedly they suffer from extremely poor ride quality and the operational inconvenience of no gangway connection between units. They also have a record of being remarkably safe units. Though unpopular with enthusiasts and passengers to some extent, the loss of a unit will be felt keenly here.
With the Strategic Rail Authority threatening to withdraw funding for some services unless the Class 31 hauled services are replaced with DMUs on the Weymouth and Brighton routes, there is considerable pressure on the small fleet. The simple message is that we need the flexibility of locomotive hauled services here. Running a four or five coach, top-and-tailed service to Weston in the morning and evening peaks would provide more seats and fill the gaps in the fleet to some extent. This solution is also available now - currently three locos and a set of coaching stock are spare at Bristol Temple Meads from Monday to Thursday, and there is reportedly a further 31 available to Wessex. Currently, any additional units will only become available via a cascade of stock involving a range of Train Operating Companies throughout the country, and relying on timely delivery of new units to First ScotRail!
Granted, the Fragonset locomotives have performed poorly - but the SRA decision must be focusing some minds at Fragonset, who will shortly have a lot of locomotives standing idle if things don't improve rapidly. Of course, they are not the only supplier of traction.
Whatever the outcome of the investigation into the fire at Backwell, I sincerely hope that commuter services don't suffer. North Somerset is somewhere where rail can succeed, with some effort from train operating companies.
Lost::MikeGTN
I've had a home on the web for more years than I care to remember, and a few kind souls persuade me it's worth persisting with keeping it updated. This current incarnation of the site is centred around the blog posts which began back in 1999 as 'the daylog' and continued through my travels and tribulations during the following years.
I don't get out and about nearly as much these days, but I do try to record significant events and trips for posterity. You may also have arrived here by following the trail to my former music blog Songs Heard On Fast Trains. That content is preserved here too.
