Recent Incident on 70013

Hi all,
Here is some recent new regarding a railtour with 70013 'Oliver Cromwell'
I hope you will all join me in wishing the crew a speedy recovery. I too have been involved in a Blowback in the past at the MHR with 34007 'Wadebridge' coming into Medstead & 4 Marks. It is very frightening indeed.

Here is the account;

"Quote" - The RAIB is carrying out an investigation into an incident involving the blowback of the locomotive fire on a steam train running on the East Coast Main Line in which three members of the train crew were injured.

The incident occurred at 11:04 hrs on 27 May 2012, as the train was travelling through Wood Green tunnel in north London. The locomotive fire blew back into the cab as the locomotive entered the tunnel and continued to do so until the driver was able to bring the situation under control by use of the blower (a device fitted to steam locomotives which draws the hot gas from the fire towards the chimney).

All three members of staff in the cab suffered burns. The train was stopped at New Barnet to allow two of the staff to be taken by ambulance to hospital. They were released after treatment later that day. The driver’s injuries were minor and he was able to continue with the train.

The train involved was a special passenger train running from London to Rowsley, in Derbyshire. It was operated by West Coast Railways and had started from Finsbury Park station. It was being hauled by a class 47 diesel locomotive in tandem with steam locomotive 70013 ‘Oliver Cromwell’.


Steam locomotive 70013 'Oliver Cromwell'

The RAIB’s preliminary examination found that the locomotive crew had been distracted by having to deal with a problem on the footplate just as the train approached the tunnel and did not take the normal precautions against blowback before entering the tunnel.

The investigation will include an examination of the circumstances leading up to the accident and the way in which the locomotive’s controls were handled.

The RAIB’s investigation is independent of any investigations by the safety authority, the Office of Rail Regulation.

The RAIB will publish its findings, including any learning points to improve safety, at the conclusion of the investigation. This will be available on the RAIB website. "Quote"