Complex ‘Pendolino’ recovery after hot axlebox
CLASS 390 ‘Pendolino’ No. 390138 became involved in a protracted recovery after a hot axlebox was detected on February 2.
The set was working the 18.40 Glasgow Central to London Euston when the driving vehicle 69138 tripped a hot axlebox detector between Carstairs and Beattock. This alerted the signalling centre, who stopped the train.
Investigation by the driver revealed the wheel was glowing red hot, and the assistance of the Scottish
Fire and Rescue service was required.
The RM has seen pictures of the hot wheelset, and it is a matter of conjecture as to just how close the axle was to failing completely.
Rescue
Northbound TransPennine unit No. 397007, halted at Lockerbie, was used to rescue stranded passengers and take them to Carlisle.
With the ‘Pendolino’ left where it stopped overnight, the axle cooling, single line working was instituted, followed the next morning by a line blockage. This allowed recovery crews to place a wheelskate under the front wheelset and recover the set at very slow speed under its own power to a siding at Lockerbie.
A first attempt to recover the set to Polmadie depot on February 3, again under its own power, was cancelled, and the following night, recovery began with a 10mph maximum on plain lines, 3mph on crossovers. The skate and damaged wheelset were also mandated to be checked every eight miles.
Stabled
Additionally, to minimise crossover use on the wheelskate, the ‘Pendolino’ was halted at a number of locations to allow behind to pass the errant 390 using loops. Recovery was always going to be slow and a two-night process, and was stabled during the day in the Abington loop, which caused some operational issues.
The final leg of the recovery was overnight on February 5, leading Abington at 23.44, but time was lost to Polmadie due to the inspection regime, with the crippled set arriving on depot at 04.32, where the bogie was removed for examination.