Argentina train crash

[NoOnions]

Dear All,

I've just watched the terrible CCTV footage of the crash in Buenos Aires.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17136790

I'm assuming that most of the deaths were when one of the carriages sliced into the one in front?

Am I right in thinking that the current carriages in use in the UK (in my case, Electrostar or Javelin) are far more resistant to this type of failure? Is it also a coupling issue? Modern couplings can withstand and absorb a lot more before failing? To stop a carriage riding up and forward?

I'm guessing the BR Mk. III and IV carriages are also safer than those in use in Argentina?

Watching the footage reminded me of the old slam-door stock I used to travel in - everyone used to open the doors before the train had stopped - instantly removing the carriage of most of its strength.

NoOnions

[chapelwood]

Feb 23, 2012 21:29:39 GMT NoOnions said:

Dear All,
I've just watched the terrible CCTV footage of the crash in Buenos Aires.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17136790
I'm assuming that most of the deaths were when one of the carriages sliced into the one in front?
Am I right in thinking that the current carriages in use in the UK (in my case, Electrostar or Javelin) are far more resistant to this type of failure? Is it also a coupling issue? Modern couplings can withstand and absorb a lot more before failing? To stop a carriage riding up and forward?
I'm guessing the BR Mk. III and IV carriages are also safer than those in use in Argentina?
Watching the footage reminded me of the old slam-door stock I used to travel in - everyone used to open the doors before the train had stopped - instantly removing the carriage of most of its strength.

Some similarities to the 1991 buffer stop collision at Cannon Street, when two passengers were killed and over 500 people injured. Reports suggest that the Buenos Aires train was travelling at 16 mph at impact,while the most likely speed of the Cannon Street one was around 10 mph.
Experience of the Cannon Street and Clapham Junction accidents hastened the phasing out of Mk 1 stock (and slam doors, except where they are kept locked until the train has stopped and then released by the guard). Modern UK stock has better couplings, is designed so that one coach won't slice into another in a collision, and has crumple zones away from seating, to absorb energy in an accident.