Power cut stopping Steam drawn train.

[ericmark]

It seems radio mast, traffic lights and automatic barriers all stopped working due to power cut.

With a 15 MPH speed limit the train could stop at level crossing and guard and fireman controlled traffic while it crossed.

But what happens with faster trains with a power cut.

 

[bernardgreen]

In theory the important bits have back up power supplies.

In practise the train service is suspended, due to ""signalling failures""

 

[winston1]

It seems radio mast, traffic lights and automatic barriers all stopped working due to power cut.

With a 15 MPH speed limit the train could stop at level crossing and guard and fireman controlled traffic while it crossed.

But what happens with faster trains with a power cut.

If they are electric trains they stop.

 

[Taylortwocities]

If they are electric trains they stop.

Says the man who hasn't read the title of the topic...

 

[RandomGrinch]

If they are electric trains they stop.

Not necessarily!
The traction supply and S&T equipment are usually separated from the domestic grid.

Electric trains have run into stations suffering from a power cut - however at night, drivers aren't allowed (as ever there can be exceptions) to stop at unlit stations!

...and until 2002, the London Underground was using its own power station - Lots Road.

Apart from that, level crossings usually have a backup battery (example system here: https://dmstech.co.uk/rail), that can last a couple of hours, until a generator can be brought in.
If all power fails, signals showing no aspect are treated as red and a call to the signaller is needed to proceed.

 

[big-all]

modern signalling centres on electrified lines have there own source and ability to use traction supply and a back up battery /generators
old-fashioned signal boxes have paraffin burning lamps in signals and hand cranked crossing gates they also have limited batteries in some barriers
the signal cannot be cleared if a crossing ahead is not working as locking wont permit the controlling lever or route selection to be set
you would need a flagman to stop road traffic and indicate to the driver travelling at extreme caution after being talked past or flagged past the previous signal

 

[winston1]

Says the man who hasn't read the title of the topic...

I have read it. I also read the last line of the post which presume you didn’t.

 

[bernardgreen]

with faster trains with a power cut.

I have read it. I also read the last line of the post which presume you didn’t

Winny, not all faster ( than 15 MPH ) trains are electric.

On 3 July 1938, Mallard claimed the world speed record for steam locomotives at 126 mph (203 km/h)

 

[Taylortwocities]

I have read it. I also read the last line of the post which presume you didn’t.

Oh but I did. The power is referring to the signaling systems, not what is powering the train.
Which makes your post

If they are electric trains they stop.

pointless, like so many others.

 

[winston1]

Winny, not all faster ( than 15 MPH ) trains are electric.

On 3 July 1938, Mallard claimed the world speed record for steam locomotives at 126 mph (203 km/h)

True but many are.

 

[winston1]

The power is referring to the signaling systems, not what is powering the train.

Maybe, maybe all power.

 

[ericmark]

If they are electric trains they stop.

Do they, I am sure there are brakes, but would think the normal way to ****** an electric train is with regenerative braking which if power cut would not work, I am sure there is an emergency brake, but in the same way as steam engines can be put into reverse to stop, it may be possible in an emergency but depending on the steam engine can also do a lot of damage.

There are heritage railways, most famous in UK I suspect is Blackpool trams, and it seems there was one which did have a problem stopping

the Salvage Squad rebuilt one and seem to remember they detailed the problem.

 

[RandomGrinch]

Do they, I am sure there are brakes, but would think the normal way to ****** an electric train is with regenerative braking which if power cut would not work,

I am not aware of any trains that do not have a traditional disc, or block braked system in addition to regen breaking.
Regenerative breaking is used by modern and not so modern electrics (think Woodhead line!)/diesel electrics.
And in the case of a powercut, the trains using regenerative breaking would be very useful - they would be feeding power back into the OLE
....and IIRC, there is a limit to the use of regen-breaking - if the train can't feed all its regen power back into the OLE, it has to dissipate this power via a resistor bank on the roof - it doesn't take long for this to overheat!

Edit:
Examples of breaking resistors and blended braking (air brake discs/regen breaking), here:

What Are Brake Resistors? Braking Resistor Solutions | ES Components

Standard Braking Resistors - Water Cooled Resistors - Custom Braking Resistors and more…

www.escomponents.com

 

[big-all]

Do they, I am sure there are brakes, but would think the normal way to ****** an electric train is with regenerative braking which if power cut would not work, I am sure there is an emergency brake, but in the same way as steam engines can be put into reverse to stop, it may be possible in an emergency but depending on the steam engine can also do a lot of damage.

There are heritage railways, most famous in UK I suspect is Blackpool trams, and it seems there was one which did have a problem stopping

the Salvage Squad rebuilt one and seem to remember they detailed the problem.

Regenerative braking is only one part off the slowing down procedure
all passenger trains have full brakes in all circumstances via mix and match
iff all axles have motors then it can be regenerative retardation feathering to disc brakes at lower speed
usually only some perhaps 25-50% will have traction motors so a combination again off regenerative and disk brakes now this can be maximum regen and supplemented by disc to give the required level of retardation required
if they cant use the grid to consume the electric generated, the retardation will automatically be supplied by the discs

 

[big-all]

its also worth pointing out old trains pre perhaps 75are block brakes working only on the wheel treads via cast iron brake blocks these are called "tread brakes " as in braking via the "wheel treads"