03.03.16
Northern holds Class 319 units for inspection after driver shock
Northern Rail has held two of its electric Class 319 carriages for investigation after a driver received a low voltage shock at the TOC’s Allerton depot on Monday evening.
Following the incident, the driver was taken to hospital as a precaution and released shortly after.
Northern Rail told RTM that no other trains are affected. However, the TOC didn’t discuss the cause of the incident on the rolling stock, which it introduced on the network last year.
“As part of the inquiry into the incident at our Allerton depot two train units have been held for investigation,” a spokesperson for Northern Rail told RTM. “No other trains are affected and the ORR and RAIB are aware and happy with the investigative process we have put in place. The investigation will take as long as it needs to.”
One of the units has now been released back to the network, RTM was told.
Following the introduction of the Class 319s last year, RTM visited Northern Rail’s upgraded Allerton maintenance depot which we were told will play a key part in supporting the North West Electrification Programme and the introduction of the TOC’s Class 319s.
During phases 1 and 2 of the facility’s upgrade, the train shed has been extended and electrified to accommodate the longer Class 319s. To support this, new electrification equipment has been installed alongside a depot protection system to safeguard staff.