
Jennifer Houghton
Posted: 17 October 2024, 08:41
I am currently researching the history of tamping machines and I have been made aware from operators that there was a terrible fire (that I assume was in the UK), with an 06-SLC tamper/liner machine in the 1970s or early 1980s that resulted in the tragic death of one or more operators. Does anyone recall any details of this (location, date, vehicle number etc), please? I have not found any mention of this incident online or in the Railway Archives website.
I note that DX73016 was retained by BR at Northampton in the 1980s to train new operators on fire fighting.

Roger Harris
Posted: 17 October 2024, 15:52
If it helps at all, the only information I can supply is from the Roger Butcher Track Machines book, and it quotes a Plasser & Thuerer 06-16 CTM (not a SLC) Tamper / Liner machine No. DX 73111 (DB 965487 CTM 2 U2111 of 1970) as being badly damaged in an accident at Colwich in 2/80. The machine was scrapped at Crewe ETD by B.R. staff in 8/80. There was also a P&T 06-32 Duomatic Tamper No. DX 74400 (DB965702 74/046 672 of 1968) as receiving bad damage in an accident at Moorthorpe in 1982 and machine sold for scrap to Moorthorpe Saw Mill. All the best with your research if neither of these machines applies to your query.

Roger Goddard
Posted: 18 October 2024, 17:56
I seem to remember that a Western Region tamper caught fire trapping an oprator inthe cab. The remains were at Plasser West Ealing in Mid 1970's. I beleive it was an 06-32.
Roger Goddard

Kevin Staddon
Posted: 28 October 2024, 12:14
I'm certain there was an 05e that had an incident in Devon (Yeoford) which may be Roger's above.
That lead to the no smoking & naked lights warnings on board and the emergency stop which can be seen from the engine room on the 05e's.