| Re: Train fire at Newton Abbot 22 March Posted by a-driver at 08:18, 23rd March 2026 |     |
Interesting eyewitness account, sounds as if the problems with smoke, smell and oil/grease
were evident and reported to GWR by a passenger some time before the train was forced to stop but the journey was allowed to continue.
Some tricky questions for GWR to address.
https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/gwr-train-fire-passengers-stranded-10880256
were evident and reported to GWR by a passenger some time before the train was forced to stop but the journey was allowed to continue.
Some tricky questions for GWR to address.
https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/gwr-train-fire-passengers-stranded-10880256
The eyewitness who got on stated the smoke was coming from the rear of the train when he got on at Ivybridge. The issue was the front carriage.
The 150 saloon heating on a 150 is provided by a Webasto heater which are common to see smoking which could be what the witness saw.
| Re: Train fire at Newton Abbot 22 March Posted by John D at 07:48, 23rd March 2026 | |
The last time I traveled on a 150 in South Devon, there was a certain amount of exhaust fumes, and hot engine smell drifting in through the open windows. It was also a very noisy train (engine noise, not passenger chatter) especially compared to quiet of my electric car.
If that is normal ambience for a 150, not surprising bit of smoke was ignored.
Travelling in a 150 is not like the experience of a 387 electric unit, no fumes, and just a faint hum from the motors.
| Re: Train fire at Newton Abbot 22 March Posted by TaplowGreen at 06:06, 23rd March 2026 | |
Interesting eyewitness account, sounds as if the problems with smoke, smell and oil/grease
were evident and reported to GWR by a passenger some time before the train was forced to stop but the journey was allowed to continue.
Some tricky questions for GWR to address.
https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/gwr-train-fire-passengers-stranded-10880256
| Re: Train fire at Newton Abbot 22 March Posted by a-driver at 20:23, 22nd March 2026 | |
OpenTrainTimes shows 5E13 on the up line from Plymouth approaching Newton Abbott ... but the down line open. Sadly, it shows that the lines are NOT signalled for bidirectional working, which scuppers the change of even one train an hour past the one that can't move.
You can operate bi-directional working if Network Rail have the staff to provide a pilotman.
The downside is, they won’t be able to do anything with the stranded until whilst trains are running.
| Re: Train fire at Newton Abbot 22 March Posted by grahame at 20:12, 22nd March 2026 | |
Probably tempting fate but the sleepers haven’t been cancelled, yet.
Engineers are due onsite at 20:00 to assess the unit.
OpenTrainTimes shows 5E13 on the up line from Plymouth approaching Newton Abbott ... but the down line open. Sadly, it shows that the lines are NOT signalled for bidirectional working, which scuppers the change of even one train an hour past the one that can't move.
| Re: Train fire at Newton Abbot 22 March Posted by a-driver at 19:54, 22nd March 2026 | |
Probably tempting fate but the sleepers haven’t been cancelled, yet.
Engineers are due onsite at 20:00 to assess the unit.
| Re: Train fire at Newton Abbot 22 March Posted by bobm at 19:46, 22nd March 2026 | |
Probably tempting fate but the sleepers haven’t been cancelled, yet.
| Re: Train fire at Newton Abbot 22 March Posted by a-driver at 19:36, 22nd March 2026 | |
From GWR......"Due to the volume of people expected to travel this afternoon, obtaining suitable road transport has not been possible, therefore we do advise customers who can, delay their travel plans".
........so what happens to those who are stranded? Sounds as if people are being told they can claim back taxi fares.....assuming they have sufficient means to pay up front for what could be some very lengthy journeys.
........so what happens to those who are stranded? Sounds as if people are being told they can claim back taxi fares.....assuming they have sufficient means to pay up front for what could be some very lengthy journeys.
Simple. Those stranded will get taxis. No coach company in the Exeter area can provide coaches, limited number from Plymouth.
The unit is a wheelskate job.
| Re: Train fire at Newton Abbot 22 March Posted by TaplowGreen at 19:13, 22nd March 2026 | |
From GWR......"Due to the volume of people expected to travel this afternoon, obtaining suitable road transport has not been possible, therefore we do advise customers who can, delay their travel plans".
........so what happens to those who are stranded? Sounds as if people are being told they can claim back taxi fares.....assuming they have sufficient means to pay up front for what could be some very lengthy journeys.
| Re: Train fire at Newton Abbot 22 March Posted by bobm at 17:41, 22nd March 2026 | |
It was the 11:48 from Penzance to Exeter St Davids.
Train is unable to be moved. Passengers being evacuated. No reports of any injuries.
Line likely to be closed until later this evening.
Train is just short of Newton Abbot West junction, so trains can still operate to/from Paignton.
| Train fire at Newton Abbot 22 March Posted by TaplowGreen at 17:13, 22nd March 2026 | |
Sounds serious, multiple cancellations.
https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/newton-abbot-train-fire-live-10880177
