Two trains crash head on in Italy

Destination · 12 Jul 2016 at 17:44

Yes, wonder how fast they go?
Reasonably straight stretch, if they had spotted, one would have assumed braking, one train looks worse than other, two carriages obliterated, to one on the other train, damn awful sight.

Dis86 · 12 Jul 2016 at 18:08

Gilly said:
What it actually is seems to be an utter waste of life in an avoidable tragedy.

Sure you could have phrased that better there as that's somewhat akin to terrorism!

Six6siX · 12 Jul 2016 at 18:13

Seems like it was a section without conventional signalling and no automatic safety systems. So most likely driver error.

koolpc · 12 Jul 2016 at 18:28

RIP all those that have died.

Its amazing that this can happen in this day and age!

Six6siX · 12 Jul 2016 at 18:32

It's amazing how backwards some areas of the world are in terms of rail transport infrastructure. Using methods that were developed literally centuries ago it's little wonder there are disasters like this!

We are nowhere near as bad in the UK but there are some areas that still use manual token systems and levers.

ExRayTed · 12 Jul 2016 at 20:08

Six6siX said:
It's amazing how backwards some areas of the world are in terms of rail transport infrastructure. Using methods that were developed literally centuries ago it's little wonder there are disasters like this!

We are nowhere near as bad in the UK but there are some areas that still use manual token systems and levers.

We have only got to where we are today in the UK following massive loss of life - the only difference between us and some parts of the world is our tragedies happened years ago. You'd think they'd learn from us though..

Gilly · 12 Jul 2016 at 20:27

Dis86 said:
Sure you could have phrased that better there as that's somewhat akin to terrorism!

Avoidable in this context just means poor planning, not deliberate acts.

Six6siX · 12 Jul 2016 at 20:37

ExRayTed said:
We have only got to where we are today in the UK following massive loss of life - the only difference between us and some parts of the world is our tragedies happened years ago. You'd think they'd learn from us though..

For sure - even some of the major rail disasters in this country weren't actually that long ago!

Never mind learning from us - they can look right at their doorstep. Italy is one of a few countries in mainland Europe that is home to development of quite advanced train control and traffic management technologies - some the UK is only just starting to get - but ultimately it boils down to the same problem as we have - underinvestment and reluctance/fear of change (though that is becoming less of a problem as time goes on). It just means that some areas are left behind in the dark ages and things like this happen

Sliver · 12 Jul 2016 at 20:46

koolpc said:
Its amazing that this can happen in this day and age!

No not really. Humans are not infallible and neither is our technology. Sometimes things just go Pete Tong.

Tefal · 12 Jul 2016 at 20:49

skaif said:
How does something like this even happen? System failure? Human error?

Human error.

The other one that happened recently wa shuman error too iirx

No1newts · 12 Jul 2016 at 20:49

skaif said:
How does something like this even happen? System failure? Human error?

Human error, drivers were probably too just hanging out the window going "hey, beautiful lady, where you going?" Every time they sped past someone. Similar to Costa Concordia.

JanM · 12 Jul 2016 at 21:01

RIP to those who have lost their lives.

mattyfez · 12 Jul 2016 at 21:21

Six6siX said:
It's amazing how backwards some areas of the world are in terms of rail transport infrastructure. Using methods that were developed literally centuries ago it's little wonder there are disasters like this!

We are nowhere near as bad in the UK but there are some areas that still use manual token systems and levers.

Just lol, the train infrastructure on the continent is far superior to the uk.

Six6siX · 12 Jul 2016 at 21:24

mattyfez said:
Just lol, the train infrastructure on the continent is far superior to the uk.

I know

By "some areas" I literally mean localised areas in various countries.

mattyfez · 12 Jul 2016 at 21:27

You said we are nowhere near as bad in the UK, northern rail are still running carridges that are literary refurbished busses welded to train chassis.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacer_(train)

These are literary from the 1980s

Six6siX · 12 Jul 2016 at 21:34

mattyfez said:
You said we are nowhere near as bad in the UK, northern rail are still running carridges that are literary refurbished busses welded to train chassis.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacer_(train)

And in Italy, as evidenced by this incident, there are train movements happening using signalling systems 200 years old without any train protection systems meaning they are able to travel in opposing moves on a single line. Neither are good but which is worse?

Tefal · 12 Jul 2016 at 22:03

mattyfez said:
You said we are nowhere near as bad in the UK, northern rail are still running carridges that are literary refurbished busses welded to train chassis.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacer_(train)

These are literary from the 1980s

1980 is somewhatvmore recebt than centuries though