London Tramways - London Tramways - Permanent Way Incidents

Permanent Way Incidents

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

51. On the 8th May 1949 at 7.22 pm a delay of 7 minutes to the Tramway Services occurred at Tooting High Street opposite Waterfall Road when the life guard tray of Tramcar No. 1542 was buckled due to striking a high wood block. On examination of the track at the scene of the delay it was found that a few wood paving blocks had lifted owing to rail movement. The Breakdown Gang removed the high paving and temporary repaved at the time of this occurrence and the Permanent Way Gang tightened the rail and repaved on the 9th May.

52. On the 9th May 1949 at 6.0 pm a delay of 7 minutes occurred at the facing points-at the entrance to Wandsworth Depot when the plough of Tramcar No. 1926 left the carrier as car was running into the Depot. On examination of the point mechanism it was found that the connecting rod of the conduit slot slide had fractured owing to a flaw in the steel. A new rod was fitted by the Breakdown Gang at the time of the incident and point gear adjusted by Section Point Adjusters on the 10 May.

53. On the 17th May 1949 at 6.22 pm a delay of 31 minutes occurred to the Tramway Services at Lower Road near Rotherhithe Tunnel on the Down track when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1613 was broken due to an obstruction in the conduit. On examination of the conduit it was found that the head of a yoke had fractured and was protruding into the conduit. The paving was removed to allow the broken piece of yoke head to be removed from conduit by The Breakdown Gang at the time of occurrence and a repair by means of a cranked plate bolted to the fractured' yoke was carried out by Permanent Way Gang on the night of the 18/19th May.

54. On the 23rd May 1949 at 3.5am a delay of 15 minutes to one tramcar only occurred at the crossover opposite Princess Head Public House Battersea Park Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 209 was broken when turning from Down to up track. On examination of crossover it was found that the conduit slot slides were not operating correctly owing to the short mechanism rod having broken. A new rod was installed by the Section Point Adjusters when they came on duty at 6am on 24th May.

55. On the 25th May 1949 at 2.39pm. delay of 12 minutes occurred at the run out road of Clapham Depot when the plough shoe of Tramcar No. 2069 was torn off due to striking an obstruction in the conduit. On examination of the conduit it was found that a paving plate clip had rusted away and allowed the paving plate to move forward into the conduit. The paving was removed and a new clip bolt and paving plate installed by Permanent Way Gang on the 26th May.

56. On the 16th May 1949 at 3.23pm a delay of 5 minutes occurred to the Tramway Services at the junction of London Road and Blackfriars Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1216 was broken due to centre slot point being out of alignment. On examination it was found that the centre slot point was loose on the gusset post and movement was taking place when the points were set for the curved road. The paving was removed and bolts renewed by Permanent Way Gang during the evening of the 16th May.

57. On the 27th May 1949 at 10.26 am a delay of 13 minutes occurred at the junction of Stanstead Road and Brockley Rise when the plough carriers of Tramcurs No. 122 and 1877 were broken due to points slides failing to operate when set for the curved road. The Point Adjusters were overhauling the point mechanism at the time of occurrence and failed to replace the pin in fork and before allowing cars to proceed.

58. On the 2nd June 1949 at 9.32 am a delay of 10 minutes occurred to the Tramway Services at Coldharbour Lane opposite the Odeon Cinema owing to Permanent Way Gang renewing a running rail. The Ganger in this incident had removed the old rail from the road and failed to measure the new rail correctly and owing to the difference in the length was unable to place it in position until the rail end had been cut back.

59. On the 2nd June at 9.38 am a delay of 21 minutes occurred at the junction of Pemberton Gardens and Holloway Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar Ho. 194 was broken due to the conduit slot rail being out of alignment* On examination of the Special Work Castings it was found that the intersection of the conduit slots on the Diamond Grossing were slightly out of alignment owing to movement taking place as Tramcars passed over. The paving was removed and the holding down bolts renewed by Permanent Way men during the morning of the 2nd June.

60. On the 5th June 1949 at 5.22 am a delay of 6 minutes occurred at the run out road from New Cross Depot when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1570 was broken due to conduit slot rail being out of alignment at the joint where the conduit slot rail joins the Special Work Castings. On removal of the paving it was found that the tie-rods had broken and allowed the slot rail to become tight to gauge. a new tie-rod was fitted by Permanent Way Gang shortly after the occurrence.

61. On the 8th June 1949 at 7.12 am a delay of 6 minutes occurred to one Tramcar at the junction inside New Cross Depot when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1541 was broken due to conduit slot slides failing to operate correctly for the curved road. This set of conduit slot slides were of the oldest pattern and much worn. A new pair of slot slide points and conduit slot slides were installed on the night of the 11th/l2th June.

62. On the 20th June 1949 at 6.29 pm a delay of 9 minutes occurred to one Tramcar only at York Road Wandsworth Terminus when the magnets of Tramcar No. 201 were twisted due to striking high stone sets. On examination of the track it was found that some rail movement was taking place at a running rail joint causing a few stone sets to lift. The paving was removed and rail joint tightened and repaired by the Permanent Way Mobile Gang during the evening of the 20th June.

63. On the 27th June 1949 at 5.10 pm a delay of 20 minutes occurred at the junction of Borough Road and Borough High Street when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 592 was broken due to the conduit slot rail on the curved road being tight to gauge. The curved road leading into Borough Road is not used as a service road and owing to the excessive hot weather prevailing the conduit slot had closed in. The Permanent Way Mobile Gang were transferred from other work and removed the paving and regauged slot rail during the evening of the 27th June.

64. On the 30th June 1949 at 1.33 am a delay of 19 minutes occurred on the Diamond Crossing of the junction leading from The Elephant and Castle Headway to Walworth Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1614 was broken. On examination it was found that the intersection of conduit slots on the Diamond Crossing were slightly out of alignment. A temporary repair by means of wedging over was carried out at the time of occurrence and the paving removed and castings tightened and regauged on the night of 30th/lst July.

65. On the 4th July 1949 at 9.51 pm a delay of 10 minutes occurred in Harleyford Road near the Oval Tube Station when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1798 was broken due to the conduit slot rail being tight to gauge. On removal of the paving it was found that the slot to track rail tie-rod had broken and allowed slot to become tight to gauge. A new tie-rod was fitted by the Permanent Way mobile Gang during the night of the 4th/5th July.

66. On the 6th July 1949 at 2.32 pm a delay of 13 minutes occurred to the Tramway Services at Streatham High Road opposite No.55 owing to the rear bogie of Tramcar No. 1400 being derailed. The track at this location is on a slight curve and owing to some side wear on the head of the rail the rear pony wheels left the track. A repair by means of welding was carried out during the night of the 6th/7th July.

67. On the 6th July 1949 at 6.53 pm a delay of 9 minutes occurred at Streatham Hill opposite Cricklade Avenue when the rear magnets of Tramcar No. 375 were twisted owing to the check rail breaking away and lifting when Tramcar passed over. The rails at this location are worn and scheduled for renewal during the current year. A repair by means of fitting a check plate was carried out by the Permanent Way Mobile Gang shortly after the occurrence.

68. On the 14th July 1949 at 8.90 am a delay of 5 minutes occurred at the crossover Woolwich Road near Church Lane owing to the plough of Tramcar No. 940 leaving the carrier when the car was turning from down to up track. On examination of the point mechanism it was found that the short connecting rod of point mechanism had broken and did not allow the conduit slot slide to operate when the points were set for the curved road. A new short rod was fitted by The Breakdown Gang at the time of occurrence and the point mechanism overhauled by Section Point Adjusters during the afternoon of the 14th/July.

69. On the 18th July 1949 at 5.45 pm a delay of 20 minutes occurred to the Tramway Services at the junction of St. Georges Road and Westminster Bridge Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1988 was broken due to an obstruction in the conduit slot rail. On examination of the track after the removal of the damaged Tramcar it was found that the track over slot insert had fractured and the broken piece was burnt away by the Breakdown Gang at the time of the incident and the insert built up by means of welding during the night of the 18th/l9th July. The broken piece had moved forward into the conduit slot.

70. On the 22nd July 1949 at 11.15 pm a delay of 15 minutes to the Tramway Services occurred at the junction of Parry Street and Wandsworth Road when the rear bogie of Tramcar NO.1515? (1815?) was derailed. On examination of the track it was found that the off side point tongue was worn and low in the housing. The tongue of the point was replaced with a new tongue on the 23rd July.

1949 71. On the 23rd July 1949 at 2.21 pm a delay of 6 minutes occurred at Wandsworth Road opposite Clark's Passage when the rear bogie of Tramcar No. 556? was derailed owing to check rail breaking away as car passed over. The rails at this location are worn and scheduled for renewal in 1949. A repair by means of fitting a false check plate was carried out during the evening of the 23rd July.

72. On the 24th July 1949 at 4.47 pm a delay of 7 minutes occurred at Streatham Hill near Wavertree Road when the magnets of Tramcar No. 1403? (1408?) were twisted due to catching in the groove of worn running rails. The rails are scheduled for renewal in 1949 and the operation of re-railing was commenced on the 25th July.

73. On the 30th July 1949 at 7.17 am a delay of 10 minutes occurred at the entrance of New Cross Depot when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 987?(587?) was broken due to the Diamond Crossing fracturing and the broken piece moving forward and obstructing the free passage of the plough. The broken piece was burnt away by the Breakdown Gang at time of occurrence and repair by means of welding was carried out on the night of 30th/31st July.

74 On the 31st July 1949 at 6.35 pm a delay of 28 minutes occurred at the junction of Tower Bridge Road and Tooley Street when the plough of Tramcar No. 974? (574?) was buckled due to points failing to operate. On examination of the point mechanism it was found that the pin in the fork end had dropped out owing to the cotter pin not being split when the point mechanism was overhauled. A new cotter pin was fitted by the Breakdown Gang at the time of occurrence.

75. On the 3rd August 1949 at 10.13 am a delay of 8 minutes occurred at the entrance to New Cross Depot when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1587 was broken due to a welded casting fracturing and the broken piece moving forward into the conduit slot obstructing the free passage of the plough. The broken piece was removed by the Breakdown Gang at the time of occurrence and the casting rewelded on the night of the 3rd/4th August.

76. On the 5th August 1949 at 11.0 pm a delay of 52 minutes occurred at the junction of Blackfriars Road and Borough Road when the plough carriers of Tramcars No.1527 and 2068 were broken due to the tip of the centre slot point fracturing, the broken piece falling into the conduit leaving an abrupt edge for plough to strike against. A temporary repair was carried out by the Breakdown Gang at time of occurrence and a new tip fitted to the centre slot tongue by the Night Point Adjuster on the night of 5th/6th August.

77. On the 6th August 1949 at 10.32 am a delay of 5 minutes occurred at the junction of Borough Road and Borough High Street when the rear bogie of Tramcar No. 1317 was derailed when taking the curved road. This junction is only used on the straight road as Borough Road is not a service road and on inspection of the curved road castings it was found that they were slightly out of gauge. The Permanent Way Mobile Gang removed the paving and regauged the castings on the 7th August. 1949

78. On the 6th August at 3.5 pm a delay of 8 minutes occurred at Tierney Road Crossover Streatham Hill when the magnets of Tramcar No. 2073 were twisted when the car was turning from the up to down tracks. On inspection of the track it was found that a rail joint in the clearway was loose and movement was taking place as the Tramcars passed over. The paving was removed and joint tightened and packed on the night of the 6th/7th August.

79. On the 9th August 1949 at 10.59 am a delay of 7 minutes occurred to the Tramway Services at Norwood Road near Elm Court Road due to Permanent Way men renewing rail. The old rail had been taken out from the track and on installing the new rail it was found that the bottom flange would not allow rails to seat on the foundation owing to the rail being over cut. No damage to Rolling Stock was due to this incident.

80. On the 11th August at 9.53 am a delay of 10 minutes to the Tramway Services occurred on the up track at Tooting High Street near Hoyle Street due to Permanent Way Gang renewing running rail. The old rail had been removed from the track and on installing the new rail it was found that the Oxyacetylene operator had over cut the bottom flange of the rail left in the track. The delay was lengthened due to the Oxyacetylene Plant developing a fault when the operator was removing bottom flange of old rail. No damage to Rolling Stock due to this occurrence.

81. On the 17th August 1949 at 9.07 am a delay of 13 minutes occurred at Camberwell Road opposite No.231 when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 559 was broken due to striking a stone set where Permanent Way Gang were carrying out repairs to the track. The Gang were breaking out the stone set paving at the time of the occurrence and allowed the Tramcar to pass without observing that the set was high and liable to catch the under carriage of Tramcar.

82. On the 17th August 1949 at 10.50 am a delay of 15 minutes occurred at the crossover Camberwell Green opposite No.14 when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1377 was broken due to the conduit slot rail on the curved road being tight to gauge. On removal of the paving it was found that the slot to track rail tie-rod had broken and allowed slot rail to close in. A new tie-rod was installed and track repaved by the Permanent Way Mobile Gang on the 17th August.

83. On the 27th August 1949 at 1.38 pm a delay of 29 minutes to the Tramway Services occurred at the crossover opposite the Dun Cow Public House Old Kent Road owing to the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1545 being broken when the car was turning from up to down track. On inspection of the track it was found that the Conduit Slot slide cover on the curved road was protruding into the conduit. The covers were reset and tightened by the Mobile Gang during the afternoon of the 22nd September. 1949

84. On the 1st September 1949 at 7.55 am a delay of 12 minutes occurred to the Tramway Services at New Cross Road near the Depot entrance due to a dead short on the conductor "T" rails. On examination it was found that a paving plate had dropped from its position and became wedged between “T" rails. The paving was broken out and paving plate removed By Permanent Way Gang working in the vicinity when it was ascertained that the retaining plate clip bolt had broken and allowed paving plate to drop. A new clip and paving plate were installed on the 1st September.

85. On the 10th September. at 1.50 pm a delay of 90 minutes to one Tramcar only occurred in Tooley Street opposite Potters Field when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 600 was broken due to plough striking the under side of Palm of Yoke. During the war heavy bomb damage occurred both to the roadway and buildings in the vicinity and it is suspected that the Yokes are broken in their concrete foundations. The palm of Yoke has been removed and a repair by means of plating carried out on the night of 10th/11th September. ( Dead short to 3 broken Yokes.)

86. On the 12th September 1949 at 8.5pm delay of 25 minutes occurred at the junction of Lambeth Road and St. Georges Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1766 was broken due to plough striking an obstruction in the conduit. On examination it was found that a paving plate has dropped from its housing and was protruding into the conduit. The paving was removed and new paving plate fitted by Mobile Gang during the evening of 12th September.

87. On the 14th September 1949 at 4.22 pm a delay of 10 minutes occurred to the Tramway Services at London Road Norbury by Winterbourne Road when the Trolley Arm of compressor plant came into contact with the overhead wire causing a dead short. The Gang were shifting the compressor at the time of occurrence and the collector arm of plant caught the overhead wire. On inspection of the collector gear it was found that the insulation was burnt. Stronger insulation has been fitted to all plants used on the overhead system. No damage to Tramway Rolling Stock occurred owing to this incident.

88. On the 21st September 1949 at ?am a delay of 23 minutes occurred at the Single line York Road Wandsworth by Wandsworth Station up track when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1948 was broken due to plough striking an obstruction in the conduit slot. On inspection of the track it was found that the track of slot insert on the turnout had fractured and the broken piece moved forward into the conduit slot. The broken piece was removed by The Breakdown Gang at time of occurrence and a repair by means of welding was carried out during the night of the 2lst/22nd September.

89. On the 18th September 1949 at 10.38 am a delay of 7 minutes occurred at Brighton Road Purley due to The Permanent Way Gang renewing a point on the crossover opposite overhead standard No.407 The Gang renewing a broken point and when "fishing up" to the facing rail the head of the rail fractured and the broken piece lifted. A temporary repair was carried out by welding and a closure installed during the afternoon of the 28th September. No damage to any Rolling Stock was due to this incident.

90. On the 2nd October 1949 at 11.19 pm a delay of 5 minutes occurred on the run in road to New Cross Depot when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1317 was broken due to the plough striking the intersection of conduit slots of The Diamond Crossing. On inspection of the track it was found that the casting was slightly out of alignment for the curved road. The night Mobile Gang were transferred from other work and removed paving and re-gauged castings during the night of 2nd/3rd October.

91. On the 3rd October 1949 at 5*47 pm a delay 13 minutes occurred at Camberwell Road and Addington Square opposite No. 147 when the magnets of Tramcar were twisted due to the check rail breaking and lifting as Tramcar passed over. The rails at this location are worn and scheduled for renewal during 1949. A repair by means of fitting false check plate was carried out during the evening of the 3rd October.

92. On the 4th October 1949 at 2.45 pm a delay of 14 minutes occurred at the crossover Battersea Park Road near Queens town Road when the rear bogie of Tramcar No. 179 was derailed when Tramcar was turning from up to down track. On examination of the track it was found that a joint on the curved road was out of alignment. Permanent Way Gang were sent for and removed paving re-gauged joint during the afternoon of the 4th October.

93. On the 7th October 1949 at 7.5 am a delay of 15 minutes occurred at 125 Kennington Road opposite Lambeth Baths when the magnets of Tramcar No. 125?(175?) were twisted due to check rail breaking and lifting as the Tramcar passed over. The rails at this location are worn and scheduled for renewal in 1949. A repair by means of fitting false check rail was carried out by Permanent Way Mobile Gang during the afternoon of the 7th October.

94. On the 9th October 1949 at 9*42 am a delay of 14 minutes occurred at the junction of Clapham Park Road and South Side Clapham Common when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1850 was broken due to the conduit slot being tight to gauge. On removal of the paving it was found that the track rail to slot rail tie-rod had broken and allowed slot rail to close in. The Mobile Gang was transferred from other work and fitted new tie-rod and repaired track on the 9th October.

95. On the 11th October at 3.56 pm a delay of 12 minutes occurred at the curve from Lavender Kill to Cedars Road when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1839 was broken due to conduit slot being tight to gauge. On examination of the track it was found that following heavy rain the wood block paving had swollen and pushed the conduit slot inwards. The wood paving was removed by The Breakdown Gang at the time of incident and Permanent Way Men were sent and re-gauged slot and repaved track during the afternoon of 11th October.

96. On the 21st October 1949 at 8.55 am a delay of 20 minutes to the Tramway Services occurred on the down track at Green Lanes opposite Trolleybus overhead standard No 189 when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 1993 was broken due to the conduit slot rails being tight to gauge. On examination of the track it was found that following the heavy rain the wood block paving had swollen and pushed the conduit slot rail inwards. The paving was removed and conduit slots re-gauged by Permanent Way Gang during the morning of the 21st October.

97. On the 23rd October 1949 at 8.32 am the Tramway Services were delayed for 8 minutes on the Albert Embankment down track owing to a tie-rod nut slackening and protruding into the conduit. The Breakdown Gang burnt the nut away at the time of occurrence and a new tie-rod was fitted by Permanent Way men during the 23rd October.

98. On the 24th October 1949 at 2.55 pm a delay of 15 minutes occurred at Brixton Road opposite Tunstall Road when the rear magnet of Tramcar No. 2134 was twisted due to the rocker arm striking high stone set paving. Permanent Way Gang were removing the high paving at time of the occurrence and the Tramcar passed through the excavation and the rear magnet caught the end course of sets and twisted. The paving was removed and repaired by Gang during the 24th October. (Occurrence at Brixton Station.)

99. On the 26th October 1949 at 6.49 pm a delay of 39 minutes occurred to the up track Tramway Services at Camberwell Green when the plough carrier of Tramcar No. 598 was broken. On examination of the track it was found that the intersection of the conduit slot on the Foursquare crossing was slightly out of alignment. The paving was removed and castings re-gauged by Permanent Way Mobile Gang shortly after the occurrence.

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

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