London Tramways - London Tramways - Permanent Way Incidents

Permanent Way Incidents

Reports - 1 - 50, 51 - 99, 100 - 150, 151 - 199, 200 - 249, 250 - 284,

The under mentioned incidents occurred owing to the fracture of rails and castings due to severe frosty weather.

100. On the 29th October 1949 at 5.27am a delay of 93 minutes occurred on the Victoria Embankment by Charing Cross when the rear magnets of Tramcar No. 146 were twisted and rear bogie derailed due to rail fracturing and the broken piece lifting as car passed over. A repair by means of removing the paving, plating and welding was carried out on the morning of the 29th October.

101. On the 30th October 1949 at 12.20 am a delay of 50 minutes occurred at Stockwell Road turnout near Stockwell Green when the plough carrier was broken and magnets twisted of Tramcar No. 172 owing to the leg of track over track crossing breaking and the piece lifting when the Tramcar passed o^er. The Night Welder was transferred from other duties and removed paving plated and welded the broken crossing on the night of 30th/31st October.

102. On the 30th October 1949 at 6.34 pm a delay of 47 minutes occurred on the down track at Brixton Hill near Water Lane when the plough carrier was broken and the magnets twisted of Tramcar NO. 1910 due torail fracturing at joints and the broken piece lifting as Tramcar passed over. The Mobile Gang were transferred from other duties and removed paving and cut out broken rail and installed a closure during the evening of 30th October.

103. On the 31st October 1949 at 7.33 am a delay of 41 minutes occurred on the down track at Stondon Park near Duncombe Hill when the plough carrier of Tramcar No, 1573 was broken and the rear bogie derailed due to the rail fracturing on the joint and the broken piece lifting as the Tramcar passed over. The rails at this location were worn and schedule for renewal during 1949.

104. On the 2nd November 1949 at 3.15 am a delay of 57 minutes to one Tramcar only occurred an the down track at Trafalgar Road Greenwich opposite No. 313 when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 560 was broken due to rail fracturing at joint and the broken piece lifting as car passed over. Single line working was in operation at the time of occurrence owing to Permanent Way Gang renewing rails on the up track. The long delay was occasioned by fog delaying the Breakdown Gang arriving on scene of the incident. When the damaged car was removed, the Permanent Way Night Gang working in the vicinity cut out the broken rail and installed a closure.

105. On the 4th November at 12.12 pm a delay of 35 minutes occurred at single line in George Street Croydon when the magnets of Tramcar No. 2086 were twisted and wedged in the groove of running rail. On inspection of the track it was found that side wear had taken place on the head of the rail due to track rails being slightly wide to gauge. The asphalt paving and concrete was removed and rails re-gauged during the afternoon and evening of the 4th November. The magnets were torn off and became wedged under the motor case, and channel of running rail.

106. On the 9th November 1949 at 8.51 am a delay of 7 minutes to the down Tramway Services at the junction of Wandsworth Road and Nine Elms Lane owing to the magnets of Tramcar No. 205 being twisted. on examination of the track it was found that the joint at the toe of the points was loose and movement was taking place as Tramcars passed over. The paving was removed and new fish plates fitted and the joint packed on the afternoon of the 9th November.

107. On the 9th November 1949 at 3.56 pm a delay of 3 minutes occurred on the up track curve from Harleyford Road to South Lambeth Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1730 was broken due to the conduit slot rails being tight to gauge. On inspection of the track it was found that following the heavy rain the wood block paving had swollen and pushed the conduit slot rails inward. The Breakdown Gang removed the paving and wedged out the slot at the time of occurrence and the Mobile Gang re-gauged the slot rail and repaved during the afternoon of the 9th November.

108. On the 9th of November at 8.48 pm a delay of 21 minutes occurred at the crossover opposite Wo. 12 Camberwell Green when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1875 was broken owing to the plough striking an obstruction in conduit. On inspection of the conduit it was found that a tie-rod nut had slackened back and the plough caught same when turning from down to up track. The Mobile Gang were transferred from other work and installed new tie-rod shortly after the occurrence.

109. On the 11th November 1949 at 10.23 am a delay of 29 minutes occurred to the down track Tramway Services at Lewisham High Street near Lewisham Hospital when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 146 was broken due to plough striking an obstruction in the conduit slot. On examination of the conduit it was found that a paving plate and hanger had dropped from its position owing to the retaining bolt breaking. The paving was removed and new paving plate and hanger installed by Permanent Way Gang during the afternoon of 11th November. Dead short caused by paving jamming against plough.

110. On the 11th November 1949 at 1.56pm a delay of 31 minutes occurred on the down track at Newington Causeway Avonmouth Street when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1369 was broken due to plough striking a conduit slot rail joint out of alignment. On removing the paving it was found that the tie-rod nut inside the slot rail had slackened and allowed joint to become slightly out of alignment. A new tie-rod was fitted and slot rail re-gauged by Permanent Way men during the afternoon of the 11th November.

111. On the 13th November 1949 at 10.30am a delay of 50 minutes occurred on the up track at the junction of Westminster Bridge Road and St. Georges Road owing to the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1934 being broken. On examination of the Special Work Castings it was found that the nose piece at the intersection of the conduit slots on the Diamond Crossing had fractured and the broken piece moved forward into the conduit. The castings are scheduled for renewal and will be installed when delivered from the manufacturers. In the meantime a repair by means of welding has been carried out.

112. On the 18th November 1949 at 7.15am a delay of 5 minutes occurred on the down track curve from Victoria Embankment to Westminster Bridge owing to the rear bogie of Tramcar No. 1829 being derailed. On examination of the curve it was found that the check rail was worn and cars with stiff bogies were inclined to ride up on the check rail of this sharp curve. A temporary repair by means of grinding was carried out during the morning of the 13th and check rail renewed on the night of the 19th/20th November.

113. On the 19th November 1949 at 5.10pm a delay of 15 minutes occurred on the junction from Parry Street to Wandsworth Road when the rear bogie of Tramcar No. 1604 was derailed. The curved road castings of this junction are worn and scheduled for renewal but the castings have not yet been delivered from the makers. A repair by means of installing part worn castings was carried out on the night of 26th/ 27th November.

114. On the 22nd November 1949 at 6.55am a delay of 51 minutes occurred in Wandsworth Road opposite to Divisional Traffic Office on the up track to Albert Embankment owing to the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1962 being broken due to head of slot rail fracturing and the broken piece lifting as Tramcar passed over. A repair by means of installing a slot rail closure was carried out by the Mobile Gang shortly after the occurrence. On removing the paving it was found that the fracturing continued for a distance of 60ft and a new slot rail was installed by Permanent Way Gang on the night of 23rd/24th November.

115. On the 24th November 1949 at 5.29am a delay of 14 minutes occurred at Queens Road Peckham near Harders Road on the down track when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 128 was broken due to a joint in the conduit slot rail being slightly out of alignment. On removing the paving it was found that the tie-rod nut had slackened and allowed slot rail joint to be out of gauge. A new tie-rod was fitted by Permanent Way men during the night of 24th/25th November.

116. On the 29th November 1949 at 3.3pm a delay of 29 minutes to cue Tramway Services occurred at Balham High Road crossover near Marius Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1794 was broken due to an obstruction in the conduit slot. On examination it was found that a paving plate and hanger had dropped owing to the bolt having rusted and broken and was protruding into the conduit. The paving was removed and new paving plate fixed by Mobile Gang during the morning of the 29th November.

117. On the 30th November 1949 at 1.5am a delay of 17 minutes to one Tramcar only occurred at the crossover Peckham High Street opposite Rye Lane owing to the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1617 being broken when car was turning from down to up track. On examination of the crossover it was found that the conduit slot rail joint was out of alignment on the curved road. A new tie-rod was fitted by Permanent Way Gang during the night of 30th/1st December.

118. On the 3rd December 1949 at 11.29pm a delay of 41 minutes to one Tramcar only occurred at the crossover Queens Road near Erlanger Road New Cross when the magnets of Tramcar No. 1409 were twisted when the car was reversing over the crossover to run into the Depot. On examination of the crossover it was found that the rail joint at toe of points was loose and movement was taking place as Tramcar passed over. The Mobile Gang were transferred from other work and repacked and tightened joint during the night of 3rd/4th December.

119. On the 7th December 1949 at 2.7am a delay of 23 minutes to one tramcar only occurred at the crossover Battersea Park Road by Austin Road when the magnets of Tramcar No. 1965 were twisted when car was turning from up to down track. On examination of the track it was found that the track over slot insert had fractured and broken piece lifted as Tramcar passed over. A repair by means of welding was carried out on the 7th and a new insert was made and installed on the 10th December

120. On the 8th December 1949 at 12.45am a delay of 15 minutes occurred to the Tramway Service at the junction of Westminster Bridge and Stangate owing to the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1795 being broken. Single line working was in operation at the time of the occurrence and on inspection of the track it was found that the intersection of the conduit slot was slightly out of alignment for reverse running. The Mobile Gang were transferred from other work and re-gauged slots and tightened castings during the early morning of the 9th December.

121. On the 9th December 1949 at 9.33am a delay of 22 minutes occurred at the junction of Woolwich Road and Blackwall Lane down track when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 150 was broken due to the plough striking an obstruction in the conduit. On examination it was found that a paving plate had fallen from the hanger and was protruding into the conduit. The paving was removed and new paving plate hanger and bolt installed by Permanent Way men during the 9th December.

122. On the 9th December 1949 at 11.0pm a delay of 40 minutes occurred at the junction of Brockley Rise and Stanstead Road down track owing to the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1510? (1610?) being broken. On examination of the track it was found that the Special Work Castings forming the Diamond Crossing were loose and movement was taking place when Tramcars passed over and allowed the intersection of the conduit to become out of alignment. The Night Mobile Gang removed the paving tightened and re-gauged the Special Work Castings on the night of the 9th/10th December.

123. On the 15th December 1949 at 5.15pm a delay of 30 minutes occurred at Mitcham Lane opposite Ambleside Avenue on the up track due to the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1426?(1826?) being broken. On examination of the track it was found that the conduit slot rails were tight to gauge mainly due to the wood paving blocks having swollen following heavy rain fall coupled with the large volume of traffic crossing the track at this spot. A temporary repair was carried out by the Breakdown Gang at the time of occurrence and Permanent Way men removed the paving and readjusted slot rails on the 16th December.

124. On the 30th December 1949 at 5.56am a delay of 8 minutes occurred on the up track opposite New Cross Road Depot entrance when the plough carrier of Tramcar No.1636 was broken. On examination of the track it was found that a conduit slot rail joint was slightly out of alignment and plough caught same when passing. A temporary repair was carried out by the Breakdown Gang at time of occurrence and Permanent Way Men renewed tie-rod and re-gauged slot rail during the morning of the 30th December.

125. On the 31st December 1949 at 2.50pm single line working had to be put into operation at Vauxhall Bridge due to the straight wing crossing of the crossover at Bridgefoot Vauxhall fracturing in 5 places and collapsing into the conduit, a new wing crossing was obtained from Rye Lane Depot and installed by the mobile Gang during the afternoon of the 31st December. Normal running commenced at 7.25pm The long delay was lengthened owing to the castings having to be manhandled in Rye Lane Depot owing to no crane available.

126. On the 2nd January 1950 at 1.20am a delay of 7 minutes to one Tramcar only occurred at the junction of Kennington Park Road and Brixton Road when the rear bogie of Tramcar No.1717?(1817?) was derailed. Single line working was in operation at time of occurrence and the trailing points were being used as facing points. On examination it was found that the heel packing of point had shifted and did not allow point tongue to move over for the curved road. The point tongue was taken out and the packing removed at the time of the incident and new packing and points adjusted by Night Point Adjusters during the early morning of the 2nd January.

127. On the 12th January 1950 at 5.00pm a delay of 35 minutes occurred on the up track at Southwark Bridge Approach opposite Gray and Martins premises when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1317 was broken. On examination of the track it was found that the conduit slot rails were tight to gauge. A temporary repair was carried out by the Breakdown Gang at the time of occurrence and the Mobile Gang were transferred from other work and removed the paving renewed tie-rods and re-gauged slot rails during the evening of the 12th January.

128. On the 19th January 1950 at 5.5pm a delay of 15 minutes occurred at the Turnout Lewisham Road opposite Whitbreads Bottling Stores when the front bogie of Tramcar No 113 was derailed due to the points failing to operate correctly. This set of points are sprung for the curved road and on examination of the point mechanism it was found that the mechanism spring had broken and did not allow the point tongues to go completely over. A new spring was fitted by the Breakdown Gang at the time of occurrence. The Point Adjusters from Greenwich Church were sent and overhauled the mechanism during the evening of the 19th January.

129. On the 19th January 1950 at 1.33am a delay of 27 minutes to one Tramcar only occurred at the junction of Westminster Bridge Road and Kennington Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 2087 was broken. Single line working was in operation at the time of occurrence and Tramcars were using the up track for the down track. On examination of the castings forming the Diamond Crossing it was found that the intersection of the conduit slots was slightly out of alignment for reverse running. The Night Mobile Gang was transferred from other work and re-gauged the castings on the night of 19th/20th January.

130. On the 24th January 1950 at 7.49pm a delay of 35 minutes occurred on the down track at St. Georges Road opposite King Edward Walk when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1992 was broken due to the slot rail being tight to gauge. This track is only used in emergency and following the heavy rain the wood block paving had swollen and pushed slot rail tight to gauge. A temporary repair was carried out by Breakdown Gang at the time of occurrence and Permanent Way Gang removed paving and re-gauged slot rail during the 25th January.

131. On the 1st February 1950 at 5.45am a delay of 24 minutes occurred at Mill Pond Bridge Nine Elms Lane on the down track when the rear bogie of Tramcar No. 1927 was derailed. On examination the cause was found to be a broken rail which had slightly lifted due to rail being worn and vertically curved over sharply hump backed bridge. This was securely welded into position at once by Permanent Way welding crew.

132. On the 2nd February 1950 at 7.19pm a delay of 17 minutes occurred on the up track at Clapham North Station Clapham Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1396 was broken. On examination it was found that the conduit slot rails were tight to gauge mainly due to paving having swollen owing to abnormally wet weather causing slot to be pinched in. Permanent Way Gang pulled out paving and adjusted slot rails as soon as delay was cleared.

133. On the 5th February 1950 at 1.57cm a delay of 10 minutes occurred on the down track at the junction of Harleyford Road and Kennington Lane when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1582 was broken. On examination it was found that the conduit slot rail was pinched in mainly due to the heavy cross traffic bearing on slot rail head. As soon as delay was cleared Permanent Way Gang pulled out paving put in new tie-rods and adjusted slot rail to normal gauge.

134. On the 8th February 1950 at 4.00pm a delay of 18 minutes occurred on the up track at Blackheath Road and South Street Greenwich when Tramcar No. 145 had plough out of carrier. On examination it was found that the eye on the pull rod of the points was broken causing plough to strike centre slot point. A new rod was fitted at once by point fitters.

135. On the 11th February 1950 at 11.56 pm a delay of 51 minutes occurred on the up track at Arodene Road Brixton Hill when Tramcar No. 1401 had plough carrier broken. On examination it was found that a rail had broken through the fish plate holes allowing rail to lift slightly. Repairs were carried out at once by Permanent Way Welding Grew who welded rail and made it safe.

136. On the 16th February 1950 at 11.37 am a delay of 21 minutes occurred at the lay-by Islington Green when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 209 was broken due to the point mechanism failing to operate correctly. On examination of the point slides it was found that the short connecting rod had broken and did not allow the conduit slot slides to go over for the curved road. A new rod was fitted by The Section Point Adjuster during the afternoon of the 16th February.

137. On the 17th February 1950 at 6.21 am a delay of 21 minutes occurred at the junction of Effra Road and Brixton Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1399 was broken due to plough striking an obstruction in the conduit. On examination of the conduit it was found that a yoke packing had worked forward into the conduit owing to movement taking place in the Special Work Castings. The Mobile Gang were transferred from other work and removed a wing repacked yokes and tightened Special Work Casting during the morning of the 17th February.

138. On the 17th February 1950 at 11.48 am a delay of 17 minutes occurred to The Tramway Services on the down track in Camberwell Road opposite Grosvenor Terrace owing to a stone set being caught under Tramcar. Permanent Way Gang were breaking out paving at the time of occurrence and the car was allowed to proceed over the open excavation before it was noticed that the stone set was high.

139. On the 18th February at 7.00 pm a delay of 40 minutes occurred to the down track Tramway Services at London Road Croydon opposite Mayday Road when the front bogie of Tramcar No. 375 derailed due to check rail breaking away and lifting as Tramcar passed over. On examination of the track it was found that the check rail had fractured for a distance of 8 ft. from the toe of points of the crossover. Permanent Way Night Men were sent for and broke out asphalt paving and renewed check rail on the night of 18th/l9th February.

140. On the 21st February 1950 at 10.35 am a delay of 17 minutes occurred at Christchurch crossover Kennington Road up tract when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1413 was broken. Permanent Way Men were carrying out repairs to the crossover at the time of occurrence and when renewing tie-rod allowed the nut inside the conduit slot rail to protrude into the conduit and the plough struck same when passing.

141. On the 24th February 1950 at 8.03 am a delay of 10 minutes occurred at the turnout Lewisham Road opposite John Penn Street owing to the points failing to operate for the curved road. On examination of the point mechanism it was found that the connecting coupling pin had worked out of the socket owing to the cotter pin breaking.

142. On the 27th February 1950 at 11.50 am a delay of 39 minutes occurred at New Cross Road opposite New cross Kinema up track when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 565 was broken. On examination of the track it was found that the joint of the conduit slot rail was slightly out of alignment and the plough struck same when passing. Permanent Way Men were sent and removed paving and re-gauged slot rail during the 27th February. 143. On the 1st March 1950 at 5.37 am a delay of 26 minutes occurred at the junction of Holloway Road and Pemberton Gardens when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 178 was broken due to striking an obstruction in the conduit. On examination of the conduit it was found that the yoke bolts had worked loose and allowed the packing to move forward into the conduit. The Breakdown Gang removed the packing and tightened The Special Work Castings during the morning of the 1st March.

144. On the 1st March 1950 at 11.27 am a delay of 48 minutes occurred to one Tramcar only when the plough of Tramcar No. 1999 left the carrier at the junction of Mildmay Park and Balls Pond Road owing to the point mechanism failing to work correctly. On examination it was found that following a welding repair to the Junction some of the cement grouting used to re-set the paving had worked into the points.

145. On the 5th March 1950 at 2.25pm a delay of 6 minutes occurred at the Change Pit Woolwich High Street when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1215 was broken when being re-ploughed. 0n examination of the Special Work Castings it was found that metal had spread slightly causing a burn on the slot edge. Permanent Way Track Grinder was sent for and levelled the slot edge during the afternoon of the 5th March.

146. On the 11th March 1950 at 5.30 pm single line working had to be put into operation in Old Kent Road owing to the straight wing crossing of the crossover opposite Malt Street fracturing and the broken piece falling into the conduit. The Mobile Gang were transferred from other work and carried out a temporary repair by means of plating. A new casting was installed on the night of 12th/13th March, No damage to Rolling Stock was occasioned by this incident.

147. On the 12th March 1950 at 3.20pm a delay of 10 minutes to the Tramway Service occurred on the down track at Champion Park due to Permanent Way Welders carrying out a repair to a fractured casting on the crossover. On investigation it was found that an insulator inspection cover had to be removed to obtain access to the broken casting and in removing the box it became wedged between track rail and slot rail.

148. On the 12th March 1950 at 4.38 pm a delay of 13 minutes occurred to the Tramway Services on the up track in Streatham High Road opposite Streatham Library owing to the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 2147 being broken. On examination it was found that a tie-rod nut had run back and was protruding into the conduit and the plough caught same when passing. The Breakdown Gang removed the nut at the time of occurrence and Permanent Way Mobile Gang were sent and removed the paving and renewed the tie-rod during the evening of the 12th March.

149. On the 22nd March 1950 at 6.50 am a delay of 8 minutes occurred at the junction of New Kent Road and Tower Bridge Road owing to the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 553 being broken. On examination of the track it was found that a conduit slot rail joint was slightly out of alignment and the plough struck sane when passing. Permanent Way men were sent for and removed paving and re-gauged slot rail shortly after the occurrence.

150. On the 15th March 1950 at 4.17 pm a delay 18 minutes occurred at the turnout opposite No. 112 South Street Greenwich when the rear bogie of Tramcar No. 158 was derailed. On examination of the point mechanism it was found that the connecting rod had broken and prevented the point switches from operating correctly. The Point Adjuster from Greenwich Church was sent and renewed connecting rod and adjusted point mechanism during the evening of the 15th March.

Reports - 1 - 50, 51 - 99, 100 - 150, 151 - 199, 200 - 249, 250 - 284,

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