how steam railways responded to the orr and hra safety advice
One of the lines to have ceased using detonators is the South Devon Railway, whose PR & Business Development Manager Dick Wood said: “Detonators were becoming an increasing burden to store, maintain, and replace appropriately and, following a risk assessment of the occasions when they are used and what alternatives were available, we decided to withdraw them.
“While it is probably true that detonators are the best tool for the job in the few scenarios when they are used, the risk for the rest of the time outweighs the benefit, and red lights are a suitable alternative that don’t carry the risks associated with detonators for the rest of the time.”
Kent & East Sussex Railway Safety Director Paul Jessett said: “We took our time over this issue, carrying out a detailed risk assessment, reviewing our procedures and making robust rule changes to ensure a safe system of work. This has been tested in a controlled exercise and has since been used to assist a stalled train. The process was reviewed following the use and the feedback was very positive.” Railways still using detonators include the Mid-Hants – whose Operations Manager Richard Bentley confirmed: “There was a suggestion from the ORR a year or so ago that heritage railways should stop using detonators. However, following discussions within the industry, the requirement to dispense with them was later withdrawn. “At present we will continue with detonators and review the matter in due course should a more suitable alternative come along.”
West Somerset Railway General Manager Paul Conibeare said: “The WSR will continue to use detonators for the foreseeable future, as we cannot see a safe and viable alternative for our railway. We have a very long route with many curves which give you limited visibility ahead, even at our slower speeds of 25mph.
“Unless legislation changes, we will continue to carry sets of detonators in the secure locations of locomotive cabs, guards’ compartments and signal boxes.” Detonators remain in use on Network Rail, and the Great Central Railway is retaining them because of its double-track section, as Operations and Rolling Stock Manager Scott Manley explains: “The need to protect the opposite line in the event of it becoming obstructed is very high on the list of priorities.
“Other heritage lines differ due to operating on single-line sections, access being granted with tokens.
“Imagine two trains running after dark and in fog, with only Loughborough and Rothley signal boxes open. The Up train derails and fouls the Down line.
The Rothley signalman is contacted using a mobile phone but the Down train has already set off. In this situation, the crew of the Up train would seek to protect the Down line, but where weather conditions restrict visibility, a hand lamp signal may not be sufficient, and a detonator may be all that stands between the oncoming train and disaster. I certainly wouldn’t feel comfortable without them on a foggy winter’s night.”