Chinese Train Crash

[colourlight]

I,ve had some spectacular train crashes in my time but the chinese have put me in the shade! I,ve never yet had a train run into the back of another at 137mph. It seems the first train failed when it lost all power in a thunderstorm as reported in the media. And so it was unable to broadcast it,s position. The big question here is "why was there no back up system?) Havn,t the chinese seen the advert for Duracell Batteries that go on and on and on? Havn,t they heard of signals? Perhaps we should post a link to the DLS. They can have some of ours!. On a much more serious note. my condolences to the families of all those who died in this tragic accident and i wish all those who were injured a speedy recovery. I also read that there is not enough fly ash (used to strengthen concrete) in the world to supply the chinese with what they need to construct for their new high speed lines. So in 50 years from now their bridges could start collapsing.

 

[aardvark1]

Well, per the UK newspaper link below...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...33-dead-as-Chinese-bullet-trains-collide.html

The train was hit by lightning and the lightning also disabled the safety systems.

Not too much can be done about that.

Have fun,

 

[colourlight]

As a professional signaller I strongly disagree with Aardvaak. One thing I have learned over the years is whenever we have a signalling failure it must be "failsafe" In the UK all signalling equipment is designed so that in the event of a failure an accident cannot occur as a result. In the case of the Bullet train the Chinese clearly did not cater for a complete power failure preventing it from transmitting it,s position. There have been allegations of corruption at the highest levels, and a desire by the Chinese authorities to rush this project through disregarding construction and safety standards. You cannot compromise either as the Chinese learned to their cost. The first reaction of the Chinese Authorities was to cover up the accident and it was only when thousands of chinese expressed their outrage through the internet the chinese media began reporting it. Such is the nature of the Chinese Govenment any ensuing enquiry is likely to be meaningless.

 

[Paulsw2]

The train was hit by lightning and the lightning also disabled the safety systems.

Has anyone heard of this happening anywhere else? I saw a news item the other night that suggested the Chinese authorities were attempting to bury the train to destroy/hide evidence about what happened.

It's all very fishy!

Paul