Thank you for the interesting and informative tour this day. Being in a nursing home suffering with ALS, my legs are effectively nonexistent for walking in the future. My trips to the UK are never happening again. Your videos are the only things that put a smile on my face. God bless you Mr. Coffey, and you have a long life without any physical liabilities. See you on the next, Sir! 🇬🇧🙂👍🇺🇸
I once had to let a engineering train into the worksite, as well as informing the driver what channel the radio was on and to keep an eye out for men and machines etc, to tell him to proceed at walking pace. Just the thought of a big and powerful cl.66 going at a snails pace!
I wish we had a wash like that at Tyseley. External, no driers, at the far end of a neck the wrong end of the yard so often missed due to time pressures
Yes, it certainly speeds things up. When a train arrives at the fuel point, maybe eight or ten cleaners mob each set and they absolutely blitz it in minutes ready for the next arrival.
Ah, nothing like starting the day with a quick shower! Thanks for that shortie, Don. I imagine those water jets have to be precisely "focussed" given there's a live catenary at the top of the shed. Does that mean that in the normal course of things the roof doesn't get washed? (Not that the roofs of trains show up the dirt much by design, I assume.)
What other train ride channel gives you train wash videos?! I'm normally here for the freight train episodes but this makes a nice change, something a little different.
What are the provisions for unexpected cleaning of the inside of the train? Supposing a passenger becomes, ahem, "unwell" on the train or has an accident on the seat. Do terminus stations, where there is a layover between a train arriving and then departing on the return service, have the equivalent of the "in-store cleaner" who can be called upon to do a quick "running repair" so the train can be kept in service until it can be cleaned properly at the end of the service day? I ask because a friend some years ago had the misfortune to throw up on a bus (gastric illness, not alcohol!), and the response of the bus driver was to kick everyone off the bus at the next stop, mid-journey, so she could take the bus out of service for cleaning, which must have upset the schedules... and the passengers on that bus. I presume with trains which often tend to be less frequent that buses (so the loss of one train has more of an impact), the goal is to only take a train out of service as a very last resort, and to try to work around the problem as much as possible.
Good to see you and good question. We have mobile cleaners at every terminating location. If you look at the Hull, Piccadilly or airport videos, you can often see them heading up the platform. We’ve even got them at Huddersfield. They mostly walk through with a litter bag but they can deal with spills and blocked loos etc. They will either clean vomit up or cordon an area off until it gets to the depot. The depots are fully equipped to deal with just about anything.
Thank you! Very interesting, especially the communications with the signaller. Can anyone explain a track feature to me? At 1.18, 1.34 and 1.43 there are some odd-shaped lengths of rail that appear to be fixed to the sleepers. They look rather like bits of crossings. Are they there to increase the stability of the track? (It does look a bit worn-out compared with the main running lines to the right.) It's just that it looks rather more complicated than the straightforward twin lengths of heavy plate seen at 2.09. So I'm also wondering if they are there because they happened to be bits left over after worn-out crossings had been relaid. Many thanks. Greetings from Cornwall! 🙂
Hi Martin. They are exactly what you concluded, they frequently change crossovers because they take a lot of hammer in a location like that. They do them overnight then book collection at a later date.
Please answer this question. I need a train drivers answer. I am currently doing an S and T course here in Wolverhampton. We was shown a documentary about the Paddington rail crash. The train leaving Paddington spad a Red signal. The AWS horn sounded and the sun flower was shown in his cab. I know that this could either mean Red or Yellow signal. If the driver did not see the signal set at danger because of the sun he must have thought it was yellow meaning proceed with caution or slowing down because the next signal could be red. bear in mind he pushed the plunger to acknowledge the horn and sun flower. After the acknowledgement he accelerated. But surly you have to be slowing down if you see a yellow. Thats your service breaking distance. As a train driver would you go past a yellow signal and then accelerate. It just wasn't brought up in the investigation and iv been having an argument over it.
That’s not straight forward Aaron. Ordinarily your assumptions are correct but we know there were problems with SN109 and we know there were major failings with Michael Hodder’s training. There’s no doubt he should have stopped but there were mitigating circumstances and when investigating these things, you sometimes find there’s more than meets the eye. It’s an interesting debate to have with your workmates and if you throw in a few “what ifs”, you’ll come up with different answers.
I was surprised the windscreen wipers could be used with those spinning brushes going and did not have to be parked out of harms way. The wires appear to go up to and in to the wash. 25kv and water doesn't sound too healthy, whats the procedure there?
Yes, the wipers are inboard of the brushes and that overhead wire is live at 25Kv but it’s the same as a very heavy rainstorm, the train is earthed through the rails.
Good afternoon Don, a silly question maybe, I noticed that there were overhead power lines, how is this possible with all the electricity around, or was I see things with the power lines?
No William, there is a 25Kv live wire but it’s the same as a very heavy rainstorm, the train is safe because it’s earthed through the wheels and rails.
I know, it kind of defies logic doesn’t it. Electric trains pass through unharmed as you say, the same as in a rainstorm. It’s because it all runs safely to earth through the wheels and rails.
Seems dangerous at first sight but in reality, no different to a really heavy downpour. The train is unaffected because it is earthed through the rails.
They get done every time they go onto the depot from the west. That depends what jobs they are on so they might get done every night for a week then miss a few days. It’s quite random but more often than not.
Thank you for the interesting and informative tour this day. Being in a nursing home suffering with ALS, my legs are effectively nonexistent for walking in the future. My trips to the UK are never happening again. Your videos are the only things that put a smile on my face. God bless you Mr. Coffey, and you have a long life without any physical liabilities. See you on the next, Sir! 🇬🇧🙂👍🇺🇸
And you are a perfect gentleman Mr Marsola. I’m glad the videos bring you some relief. Keep in touch. Which State are you in?
I was expecting that roughly cab-height post just before the entrance to have a sign on it saying "Insert £2 coin or token here" 🤣🤣
Probably a bit more. Two sets are 144 m long!
I once had to let a engineering train into the worksite, as well as informing the driver what channel the radio was on and to keep an eye out for men and machines etc, to tell him to proceed at walking pace.
Just the thought of a big and powerful cl.66 going at a snails pace!
We’ve got a similar crawling device as a 66 but I had one engine isolated and it only works with all 6 running.
Nice enjoyable video whilst I enjoy some sun in Spain. Thanks Don
Im jealous!
Nice one, Don lol Along with Richard Evans (Dad Rail), you're an absolute railway legend
Yes, he does some good stuff.
WOW, Northwest Area needs to get it's vegetation under control!
They try to keep it back but it’s an endless task. They can’t use the same weed killer they used to either.
I wish we had a wash like that at Tyseley. External, no driers, at the far end of a neck the wrong end of the yard so often missed due to time pressures
Ours get missed if the units enter from the east but statistically they get washed at least once a week.
Very cool! Thanks Don...😊
Loved that thanks for sharing Don 🙂
To quote from the Beatles' "Penny Lane" -- It's a clean machine!
As it happens, the 185s pass under Penny Lane every day on their way to Liverpool.
Well, there you go. A bit of the wash and brush-up does your body good. Cheers, Don.
Feel better Chuck? 😉👍
Excellent video, thanks.
These types of ride are always internesting Don
They fill in little unanswered questions that I get asked about 👍
Congratulations on the new plaque.
Thanks, much appreciated 👍
Great stuff, although the actual wash shed was like the Boris Johnson room at Madame Tussaud's!
Very unkind 😂
There is a nack with everything in life 😉
Interesting footage, cheers Don.
I’m not struggling to drink my tea. Glad you liked it.
Always wanted to see this, Thanks
It's always nice to travel on a clean train. I always wondered how it was done with an EMU having a pantograph.
Yes, Northern’s 323s go through every day but being earthed through the wheels and rails, it’s perfectly safe.
Many thanks for sharing this. Not something many of us will have experienced.
I thought you might find it interesting 👍
Beats the days when over 1000 women were employed with brushes and hoses to clean trains, like at Nunnery sidings, Sheffield!
Yes, it certainly speeds things up. When a train arrives at the fuel point, maybe eight or ten cleaners mob each set and they absolutely blitz it in minutes ready for the next arrival.
I always wanted to go through a train wash. Thank you, Don 👍🏻
Thanks for the video. Made me feel clean behind the ears!
Ah, nothing like starting the day with a quick shower! Thanks for that shortie, Don.
I imagine those water jets have to be precisely "focussed" given there's a live catenary at the top of the shed. Does that mean that in the normal course of things the roof doesn't get washed? (Not that the roofs of trains show up the dirt much by design, I assume.)
The water has very little effect just like a heavy rainstorm. The wheels earth the train.
Thanks Don.
Thanks Don for an excellent short video. 👏
A great bonus video. Thanks again Don.
Nice short bit of fun - thanks Don!
Off to the wash down goes this unit the class 185
Nice!
Hope they didn’t forget the tyre shine and air freshener at the end 😂
Hung it on the mirror 😉👍
lovely
That was good...
Nice one Don, for a slight behind the scenes look via the train wash :-)
Thank you Don that’s not something we would normally see
Made a change didn’t Jonathan. Glad you liked it.
Great
very cool
No wax..... Great video cheers
I do that on my tea break 😉🤣
would have thought rule 1 was make sure you window is shut 😊👍
We only have opening cab windows and we have to check every time 👍
A bit different eh. Still good to see what happens. thks
Good one Don , When is the next video out please ? 😁
Next Wednesday the 15th. 9pm U.K. time.
What other train ride channel gives you train wash videos?!
I'm normally here for the freight train episodes but this makes a nice change, something a little different.
There was somebody that showed them. Was it the Dutch guy?
Wonder if that one gets the black "rubber" marks so common on the passenger cab windows of British trains.
I can’t think what you mean. There are sometimes little blobs of grease that get flung up from the running gear. They are quite clean when done.
What are the provisions for unexpected cleaning of the inside of the train? Supposing a passenger becomes, ahem, "unwell" on the train or has an accident on the seat. Do terminus stations, where there is a layover between a train arriving and then departing on the return service, have the equivalent of the "in-store cleaner" who can be called upon to do a quick "running repair" so the train can be kept in service until it can be cleaned properly at the end of the service day? I ask because a friend some years ago had the misfortune to throw up on a bus (gastric illness, not alcohol!), and the response of the bus driver was to kick everyone off the bus at the next stop, mid-journey, so she could take the bus out of service for cleaning, which must have upset the schedules... and the passengers on that bus. I presume with trains which often tend to be less frequent that buses (so the loss of one train has more of an impact), the goal is to only take a train out of service as a very last resort, and to try to work around the problem as much as possible.
Good to see you and good question. We have mobile cleaners at every terminating location. If you look at the Hull, Piccadilly or airport videos, you can often see them heading up the platform. We’ve even got them at Huddersfield. They mostly walk through with a litter bag but they can deal with spills and blocked loos etc. They will either clean vomit up or cordon an area off until it gets to the depot. The depots are fully equipped to deal with just about anything.
Did the driver remember to pick up their Nectar Points at the end? - LOL - Poor old Ardwick Station, looks so under used and unloved.
And an air freshener. 👍😉
Thank you! Very interesting, especially the communications with the signaller.
Can anyone explain a track feature to me? At 1.18, 1.34 and 1.43 there are some odd-shaped lengths of rail that appear to be fixed to the sleepers. They look rather like bits of crossings. Are they there to increase the stability of the track? (It does look a bit worn-out compared with the main running lines to the right.) It's just that it looks rather more complicated than the straightforward twin lengths of heavy plate seen at 2.09. So I'm also wondering if they are there because they happened to be bits left over after worn-out crossings had been relaid. Many thanks. Greetings from Cornwall! 🙂
Hi Martin. They are exactly what you concluded, they frequently change crossovers because they take a lot of hammer in a location like that. They do them overnight then book collection at a later date.
Please answer this question. I need a train drivers answer. I am currently doing an S and T course here in Wolverhampton. We was shown a documentary about the Paddington rail crash. The train leaving Paddington spad a Red signal. The AWS horn sounded and the sun flower was shown in his cab. I know that this could either mean Red or Yellow signal. If the driver did not see the signal set at danger because of the sun he must have thought it was yellow meaning proceed with caution or slowing down because the next signal could be red. bear in mind he pushed the plunger to acknowledge the horn and sun flower. After the acknowledgement he accelerated. But surly you have to be slowing down if you see a yellow. Thats your service breaking distance.
As a train driver would you go past a yellow signal and then accelerate. It just wasn't brought up in the investigation and iv been having an argument over it.
That’s not straight forward Aaron. Ordinarily your assumptions are correct but we know there were problems with SN109 and we know there were major failings with Michael Hodder’s training. There’s no doubt he should have stopped but there were mitigating circumstances and when investigating these things, you sometimes find there’s more than meets the eye. It’s an interesting debate to have with your workmates and if you throw in a few “what ifs”, you’ll come up with different answers.
No platinum wash for the train!
I’ve got a huge collection of air fresheners 😉👍
I'm surprised the 25kV doesn't arc through the water.
Same as very heavy rain, the train is well earthed through the rails.
Thanks Don. I feel refreshed now. Did you have to stop at the entrance to put your £1 coins in the slot?
No but I’ve got a massive collection of air fresheners 😉
I thought it was arDwick! 🙂
It is! I’ve amended it now.
How does the front and back get cleaned Don, and all the squished bugs (and the odd pidgeon) that must end up on the windscreen?
They scrub the ends down by hand every time with special brushes.
I was surprised the windscreen wipers could be used with those spinning brushes going and did not have to be parked out of harms way.
The wires appear to go up to and in to the wash. 25kv and water doesn't sound too healthy, whats the procedure there?
Yes, the wipers are inboard of the brushes and that overhead wire is live at 25Kv but it’s the same as a very heavy rainstorm, the train is earthed through the rails.
Good afternoon Don, a silly question maybe, I noticed that there were overhead power lines, how is this possible with all the electricity around, or was I see things with the power lines?
No William, there is a 25Kv live wire but it’s the same as a very heavy rainstorm, the train is safe because it’s earthed through the wheels and rails.
How the hell does this work with high voltage wires & water??! But then again, elecy trains would never be allowed out in't rain! LOL!
I know, it kind of defies logic doesn’t it. Electric trains pass through unharmed as you say, the same as in a rainstorm. It’s because it all runs safely to earth through the wheels and rails.
Wow! High voltage electric lines running through a train wash??? How do's that work??
Seems dangerous at first sight but in reality, no different to a really heavy downpour. The train is unaffected because it is earthed through the rails.
What are the rails in the shape of a saltire in the middle of the tracks leaving Picadilly? cheers
They’re just old crossovers Raymond. They collect them every now and again.
Don a quick question, what is the situation if the cables, gantry or train are struck by lightning
It can cause physical damage in a direct hit but normally it just runs to earth harmlessly. It happens quite a lot.
Who decides when a train gets washed, are they done every day or weekly?
They get done every time they go onto the depot from the west. That depends what jobs they are on so they might get done every night for a week then miss a few days. It’s quite random but more often than not.
Ardwick? Near ashburys
Typo. It’s been corrected.
What does the 'R' signal mean at 0:28 ?
It means Right Away Simon. The platform staff switch it on after they’ve checked everyone is standing clear.
Do you get a free train wash after buying 10 tanks of diesel?...
No but I’ve got thousands of air fresheners 😉
Ardwick, not Arwick
I know Alan. Fat fingers but corrected now.
Ardwick not Arwick :)
Typo. It’s been corrected.
Pretty useless if it doesn't clean the front and back of the train, especially in summer with all the flies about.
Not at all Paul, the ends get washed manually every day and in fact our front ends are amongst the cleanest on the network.
Arwick dont you mean Ardwick don
It was done haste but I’ve corrected it since 👍
👍👍👍👍🦘🍺THANKS DON.
Thanks Don.