Train Derailment In Aberdeenshire

[retrocop]

Looks like a pretty serious incident hampered by the lack of access to the location for the Emergency Services. Obviously there have been serious injuries. Lets hope no fatalities.

https://news.stv.tv/north/emergency-services-rush-to-scene-as-train-derails?top

[Mamyalynne]

Looks awful, I pray no one has perished.

[Barsel]

I have read there has been a fatality so far. Before reading about this train crash, I was reading about the bad weather in Scotland and how some railway tracks are flooded. Surely they wouldn't let a train travel in those conditions?

[mushroom25]

the train left Aberdeen at about 06h45 and got as far as Stonehaven when it encountered a landslip. it was returning to Aberdeen when it derailed.

[jackthehat]

Two fatalities and dreadful conditions in which to be operating a train service on this line. I hope there are no more fatalities and few injuries.

I think there will be many questions to answer about this

[anneasquith]

Via media, 6 passengers, 6 staff. Dreadful .

[Ken4155]

I've just read that there were 3 staff and 6 passengers on board. driver has been killed and poss one more fatality. Do hope there aren't more.

[Tuvok]

The majority of the line is single track. Landslips can happen with no warning.

A relative was once on another part of that line and a slip happened seconds after the train passed.

[New Judge]

//The majority of the line is single track.//

The railway between Dundee and Aberdeen is double track throughout apart from a very short section (

[Zacs-Master]

Was a risk assessment carried out by the driver / management? Seems a strange decision to have encountered a problem and then decide to return via potentially dangerous terrain.

[New Judge]

(less than 3 miles) south of Montrose. In the area where this incident occurred (near Stonehaven) it is double track. It's only north of Aberdeen to Inverness (via Keith and Elgin) that the line is mostly single track.

Of the other main lines in Scotland, the route between Ladybank and Perth is single track and the route between Perth and Inverness vis Pitlochry and Dalwhinnie has long stretches of single track. All lines beyond Inverness (to Kyle of Lochalsh and the "Far North Line" to Wick and Thurso) are single track (with passing places) throughout.

[Mamyalynne]

There's a short video on this link of the state of the area near the derailment - it's a tragedy for those who have lost their loved ones.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-scotland-53751774

[gulliver1]

You just can't help can you N/J , even when someone is posting on a tragic case like this you just have to put your oar in.

[retrocop]

The info posted by NJ is pertinent as to why the driver reversed into another subsequent landslip. My immediate thoughts were the casevac procedures by EMS considering the location and the difficulties to overcome it. As there was no other track available it was informative to work out which procedures would be the best. Thanks NJ for your useful input.

[retrocop]

I did an exercise at Solihull testing ground once with our new Range Rovers. The scenario was just as this disaster.
The Royal Train had derailed on a remote railway embankment with muddy and boggy fields on either side of the elevated embankment.
We were invited to drive a Range Rover along a mile long simulated railway track on their testing ground wth one side straddling a line. When we opened up the Range Rover absorbed all shock from the intermittent sleepers and we found we could reach a hypothetical location and casevac along the line with speed and more importantly comfort to the patient. It was like driving on a smooth tarmac road.
As I recalled this I realised with a couple of land slips this method would not be practicle. I suppose its left now to Air Ambulances and military SAR choppers.

[JoolsTwo]

My Son-in-law drives for Scotrail on that route. He knew the driver and the conductor also died. It so sad, thankfully I knew my SIL wasn't driving today.

[retrocop]

So sorry to hear that. I bet he is gutted but feeling relief it wasn't his shift. May be your SIL would of acted differently. Who knows?

[JoolsTwo]

Thank you. He is very upset I know. He is a very careful driver of a car and I think he is also very careful on the train. I haven't been on one he was driving yet. He has seen all the pictures of the train on his work network and says it is really bad. He wouldn't let me see them, not that I wanted to.

[New Judge]

//Thanks NJ for your useful input.//

You're welcome, retro. Yes, this is a tragic event (as is anything like this). Far from "putting my oar in" I did, like you, think the information about the line in the immediate vicinity was pertinent, especially as it had been suggested that it was single track. An incident on a single track stretch is always more difficult to deal with. OK the rest of the info regarding main lines in Scotland was a bit superfluous; it didn't help but I don't think it did any harm.

Sorry if you thought I was "putting my oar in" Gully. Next time I have anything useful to add to a thread I'll still add it. You can then be my guest and ignore it.

[bookbinder]

More photos here:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/12381187/train-aberdeenshire-stonehaven-derailed/

[ichkeria]

At least it’s an intelligent oar :-)