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31 May 2005 - Virgin Trains Take Speedy
Action on Unusual Hazard
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Virgin Train engineers took speedy action when an overnight
routine maintenance problem resulted in services being halted until all 78
Voyager trains in the fleet had been altered.
Whilst doing the routine maintenance, a very unusual hazard
caused a "small detonation". The hazard was two-fold, whereby
acetylene gas from the transmission unit leaked into an electrical closet.
Unfortunately, at the same time, a wiring flaw created a spark, followed by an
inevitable small explosion. However, the closet was not situated
within passenger areas.
The Virgin Voyager trains, manufactured by a Canadian Company,
Bombardier, are mainly used for carrying passengers from Edinburgh and Glasgow
to Birmingham.
Virgin Spokesman, Mr. Allan McLean commented:
"There was a fault with the electrical equipment [on the
Voyagers] that coincided with a gas leak. This resulted in a small detonation.
"Two things happened at the same time which is quite unusual
and we didn't expect it to happen again.
"But, as a precaution, we altered every train. Safety must come first."
Mr. McLean also said:
"Virgin will press Bombardier for an explanation for the
flaw.
"It's all being investigated through the train builders. This should not have
happened."
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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