Post by delaplume on Mar 30, 2022 2:24:51 GMT
Hello all,
Received this via E-mail to-day}----
Dave F
I have this weekend learnt of a serious incident at a Gauge 1 track in the UK.
I would ask you to pass this on to members with in your local group as a warning.
During a normal running session at a local group or club one of the locos being steamed had an overspill with a small track side fire from the meths spillage, this was initially dealt with but the leak was still active and the fire reignited. In taking further action a container of clear liquid was grabbed, presumed to be water, and was sloshed on to the the fire. Unfortunately this liquid was not water but a clear meths. From the resulting fireball 3 members have been taken to hospital with what appear to be serious and extensive burns and have been detained with their injuries over night for treatment.
At this point I am not fully aware of how serious the injuries are but they have been described as extensive and have resulted in two nights in hospital so far. Police have been informed.
Methylated spirit purchased from Builders suppliers and hardware stores is normally coloured but I have recently been able to purchase some clear meths from a railway supplier. Indeed Isopropanol & Bio ethanol, also used as fuels, are also clear. I would recommend that all clear fuels are colourised as soon as purchased ( you can use food colouring). This colouring would act as an indicator that it is not water.
I would also recommend that the container used for its storage be marked as a hazard (black & yellow tape or some other way) and indeed the container should be of such a size that is sufficient for only that days running. There should be no need for 5 litres of fuel being brought by each runner. I would suggest that 1 litre being adequate for a number of runs during the day.
My experience at exhibitions is that the team providing the track also provide the meths, in this way its storage and dispensing can be controlled and that only smaller specified and marked containers of it are exposed for its impending use.
We wish those injured a speeding and full recovery.
Lets ensure this does not happen again.
Geoff Hammond
G1MRA Secretary
I would add that G1MRA and the club operating rules stress that methylated spirit should be coloured for precisely the reason illustrated above. We have had track fires in the past sometimes with the culprit not being identified, and this indicates the potential seriousness of the result.
Please remember that it is also prohibited from re-fueling a locomotive on the running tracks. If it is required to add more fuel (meths or gas) during a run, then the loco should be removed from the running lines. Alternatively, keep a second meths tank that can be swapped for the empty one easily and safely.
Keith.
Received this via E-mail to-day}----
Dave F
I have this weekend learnt of a serious incident at a Gauge 1 track in the UK.
I would ask you to pass this on to members with in your local group as a warning.
During a normal running session at a local group or club one of the locos being steamed had an overspill with a small track side fire from the meths spillage, this was initially dealt with but the leak was still active and the fire reignited. In taking further action a container of clear liquid was grabbed, presumed to be water, and was sloshed on to the the fire. Unfortunately this liquid was not water but a clear meths. From the resulting fireball 3 members have been taken to hospital with what appear to be serious and extensive burns and have been detained with their injuries over night for treatment.
At this point I am not fully aware of how serious the injuries are but they have been described as extensive and have resulted in two nights in hospital so far. Police have been informed.
Methylated spirit purchased from Builders suppliers and hardware stores is normally coloured but I have recently been able to purchase some clear meths from a railway supplier. Indeed Isopropanol & Bio ethanol, also used as fuels, are also clear. I would recommend that all clear fuels are colourised as soon as purchased ( you can use food colouring). This colouring would act as an indicator that it is not water.
I would also recommend that the container used for its storage be marked as a hazard (black & yellow tape or some other way) and indeed the container should be of such a size that is sufficient for only that days running. There should be no need for 5 litres of fuel being brought by each runner. I would suggest that 1 litre being adequate for a number of runs during the day.
My experience at exhibitions is that the team providing the track also provide the meths, in this way its storage and dispensing can be controlled and that only smaller specified and marked containers of it are exposed for its impending use.
We wish those injured a speeding and full recovery.
Lets ensure this does not happen again.
Geoff Hammond
G1MRA Secretary
I would add that G1MRA and the club operating rules stress that methylated spirit should be coloured for precisely the reason illustrated above. We have had track fires in the past sometimes with the culprit not being identified, and this indicates the potential seriousness of the result.
Please remember that it is also prohibited from re-fueling a locomotive on the running tracks. If it is required to add more fuel (meths or gas) during a run, then the loco should be removed from the running lines. Alternatively, keep a second meths tank that can be swapped for the empty one easily and safely.
Keith.