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Climate protestors stop train!

Posted: 13 Jun 2008 11:50
by Kevo00
Just as everyone is talking about trains v other forms of transport releasing CO2, there is no amount of information that can stop people like this. Climate protesters have trespassed on the line near Drax and stopped a Class 66 by waving a red flag! Anyone who thinks this sort of behavior is justified is clearly a fruit loop. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nort ... 452395.stm

Re: Climate protestors stop train!

Posted: 13 Jun 2008 12:15
by michael blunck
That wasn´t related to train transport in any way, but to the usage of coal.

regards
Michael

Re: Climate protestors stop train!

Posted: 13 Jun 2008 12:20
by Kevo00
Indeed, but these are clearly interlinked issues.

Re: Climate protestors stop train!

Posted: 13 Jun 2008 12:21
by michael blunck
Because Drax uses trains for transporting coal? :P

regards
Michael

Re: Climate protestors stop train!

Posted: 13 Jun 2008 12:45
by Washu
michael blunck wrote:Because Drax uses trains for transporting coal? :P

regards
Michael
Well yes, because its a train thats technically been hijacked by members of the public.

Okay there wasnt any of the gun totting, film like baddies threatening to blow up the train unless it stops at Didcot Parkway, but it's still technically hijacking. What amuses me further is that they said they will unload its cargo using shovels, which surely is theft of private property right?

Either way they did some responsible things, i.e using the red flag to stop the train, alerting the signalling staff of what was happening and didnt cause an accident. Just wish they'd use different methods.

Re: Climate protestors stop train!

Posted: 13 Jun 2008 13:41
by michael blunck
Washu wrote:Well yes, because its a train thats technically been hijacked by members of the public. [...]
Well, what I was trying to point out was that they would´ve stopped trucks if Drax wouldn´t use trains for transporting their coal. In this way, something like
Kevo00 wrote: Just as everyone is talking about trains v other forms of transport releasing CO2, there is no amount of information that can stop people like this.
seems to be a bit misleading. :P

OTOH, the 66 itself is a notorious polluter, and using electric locomotives would at least make the transport of coal a bit more environmentally acceptable. And now we´re back on topic ... 8)

regards
Michael

Re: Climate protestors stop train!

Posted: 13 Jun 2008 14:19
by Washu
michael blunck wrote:
Washu wrote:Well yes, because its a train thats technically been hijacked by members of the public. [...]
Well, what I was trying to point out was that they would´ve stopped trucks if Drax wouldn´t use trains for transporting their coal. In this way, something like
I'd love to see someone try and stop a truck thats driving along with anything :wink:. And yes it is possible to stop a train with a red flag.
OTOH, the 66 itself is a notorious polluter, and using electric locomotives would at least make the transport of coal a bit more environmentally acceptable. And now we´re back on topic ... 8)
regards
Michael
If the line was electricfied though.

Re: Climate protestors stop train!

Posted: 13 Jun 2008 16:03
by John
I think the intelligence of these people is summed up by the fact the coal is heading to Britian's most efficient coal power station....
If they had stopped the coal going to the most inefficient then maybe it would have made sense...

Personally, I think they should be dealt with by the law.
i.e. a £1000 fine each for trespassing as those lovely signs at crossings indicate. another fine/sentence for destruction of personal property. another for vandalising the railways. another for polluting the local environment with excessive amounts of coal (or a fine for flytipping). oh, and finally if they all got locked up for 42 days without trial for an act of terrorism (hijacking a train, holding 7% of the uk power supply to ransom, and attempting to derail a train (a train going on the other track would have been derailed by the coal on the track...).


sorry, but i have very little sympathy for environment campaigners - they always insist they are right, never listen to reasonable arguments and most annoyingly, they know jack s*** about what they are talking about. They are always going don't do this or that as it's bad for the environment, but they NEVER offer suggestions on how to improve or do it different ways....

Re: Climate protestors stop train!

Posted: 13 Jun 2008 16:46
by The Irish
Why would you not just open the normal unloading doors of the hoppers, rather then using shovels.

In any case, I don't agree about hijacking trains either. I'm wondering about what they mean with "we have attached lines to the wheels of the train to stop it"...

Re: Climate protestors stop train!

Posted: 13 Jun 2008 17:26
by Ameecher
The Irish wrote:In any case, I don't agree about hijacking trains either. I'm wondering about what they mean with "we have attached lines to the wheels of the train to stop it"...
Probably tied it to a tree with a bit of string :lol:

I heard about this and couldn't believe. Utterly ridiculous. The train would have been going slowly but it still weighs over 2000tons. You do not put a pile of coal and stand on top of it. Stupid idiots.

Re: Climate protestors stop train!

Posted: 13 Jun 2008 18:40
by michael blunck
Well, from what I´ve read, I sort of like it. Something with a "signal effect". 8)

I don´t know about Britain, but over here, everywhere on the coast new coal power plants are being planned. Which is slightly ridiculous on the background of too high CO2 emissions.

regards
Michael

Re: Climate protestors stop train!

Posted: 13 Jun 2008 19:33
by Dave
Was stopped by protestors posing as track workers with red flag at AHB crossing. The driver was probably told what was occurring and knowing the nancies who mess about with this eco s*** he probably fancied himself to put a few on the floor.

Re: Climate protestors stop train!

Posted: 14 Jun 2008 22:53
by Washu
Just noticed from the video footage from the protest, that for people who truely care about the enviroment they forgot one thing.

To turn the ruddy engine off :rolleyes:

Re: Climate protestors stop train!

Posted: 15 Jun 2008 12:23
by Dave
I guarantee the driver was sat locked in his cab taking the p*** out of them by leaving it on.

Re: Climate protestors stop train!

Posted: 16 Jun 2008 08:33
by Kevo00
Should have just driven off with them standing on top!

The video of them climbing up shows what a dangerous place the railway can be to the trespasser. I doubt even members of railway staff go anywhere near the wagons these days, as loading and unloading is all automatic.

Re: Climate protestors stop train!

Posted: 17 Jun 2008 12:44
by Dave
Kevo00 wrote:Should have just driven off with them standing on top!
I suggested this on one forum and some were very much in agreement, including a lady driver who suggested notch 8 and RA Drax was the way forward.