South Harrow Station

[Deleted]

So South Harrow station has been closed eastbound for several days because of some fault.

It must have been something serious for it to be closed this long.

What is the exact problem with the platform?

[hobbayne]

AIUI, Part of the Eastbound platform has collapsed.

[rummer]

Hope its not near the PNR point

[Deleted]

I took a picture.

[philthetube]

I wonder if it is the same problem as affected Chorleywood?

[Chris M]

That looks like the horizontal concrete supporting beam has fractured and broken. If so that's potentially quite a big job to fix. Certainly it can't be repaired while trains are running.

[londoner]

Mar 3, 2016 23:04:36 GMT Chris M said:

That looks like the horizontal concrete supporting beam has fractured and broken. If so that's potentially quite a big job to fix. Certainly it can't be repaired while trains are running.

I've noticed they've supported the new concrete with a wooden frame underneath. Some new wooden frame structure is also visible underneath the Westbound platforms. 

Does RAIB investigate these sort of issues and does anyone else know definitively what caused the problem in the first place? 

[Chris M]

RAIB certainly investigates structure failures where they (have the potential to) cause significant damage (or worse) to an operational railway. However given the length of time since this happened with nothing appearing on the RAIB website I think it is safe to assume that they are not investigating this incident. This would suggest that the the causes are known and understood and there are no wider safety implications.

The wooden frame structure may just be falsework, or it may be an integral part of a temporary repair. I think it unlikely that a wooden framework would form part of a permanent resolution, but (a) I've not seen it and (b) I have no inside knowledge at all.

[rincew1nd]

If it wasn't known that it was falling down, and was only discovered when a bit fell off RAIB may well be interested. If it was known to be failing though, and the hole pictured above was the result of intervention by staff (knocking it down before it falls down) they probably won't be interested.

[marri260]

Almost 2 years ago now, but when I (albeit very briefly) worked at South Harrow, the concern that was brought up was the subsidence of the Westbound platform/the embankment behind it.

[Deleted]

I travel though south harrow quite early most mornings, and for a few days before this happened, there were contractors working on the platforms with scaffolding. I wonder if its related.

[snoggle]

I can recall there being various issues with the strength / condition of various platforms on the Rayners Lane branch. They probably all need some level of construction / attention. This certainly isn't the first problem with South Harrow. Of course such works can be hugely disruptive for people and costly for no obvious "visible" result if you want to boast about your investment programme. However stopping the station closely for vastly longer if it all falls in a heap might be considered a "benefit".

I suspect that any substantive platform replacement / strengthening works, almost certainly needed for ATO with PEDs on the Picc, have been bundled into the (delayed for over a decade) line upgrade.

[londoner]

Mar 20, 2016 16:06:57 GMT snoggle said:

I can recall there being various issues with the strength / condition of various platforms on the Rayners Lane branch. They probably all need some level of construction / attention. This certainly isn't the first problem with South Harrow. Of course such works can be hugely disruptive for people and costly for no obvious "visible" result if you want to boast about your investment programme. However stopping the station closely for vastly longer if it all falls in a heap might be considered a "benefit".

I suspect that any substantive platform replacement / strengthening works, almost certainly needed for ATO with PEDs on the Picc, have been bundled into the (delayed for over a decade) line upgrade.

They've also recently done some platform strengthening at Sudbury Town. 

[Deleted]

Mar 20, 2016 16:06:57 GMT snoggle said:

I can recall there being various issues with the strength / condition of various platforms on the Rayners Lane branch.

I remember a couple of years ago there was a period where North Ealing Station had a 'faulty platform' which closed the eastbound platform for a day or so.