Emergency Response Unit

[aslefshrugged]

Everyone who travels on the Tube should watch this

[class411]

One is impressed.

Very impressed.

[Tom]

I had a visit to the ERU a number of years ago, which was very eye-opening. The bit about there not being much space under the trains is definitely true - we got to crawl the length of a 1967 stock car and there was very little space.

That said, my experience of the ERU when I've had to work with them has been less than favourable. My abiding memory was about fifteen years ago on a track fault found by an ultrasonic testing team, where the ERU were particularly 'trigger happy', rushing in to replacing the rail and ignoring the more experienced Permanent Way staff on site. Their attitude seemed to be "We're the ERU, we know best". In the end the rail couldn't be replaced and had to be re-fitted (after we'd got it out) and a Temporary Speed Restriction applied. Some cooler-headed thinking would have saved a significant delay.

[Deleted]

Couldnt agree more, the vast majority of them are ex track staff and its we know best you know sod all

They are mainly used as a delivery and collection service for the signalling department

[crusty54]

Had an interesting morning with the Battersea crew once.

When the updating work started at Victoria somebody cut a thick cable in the District line ticket hall. It later dropped down on the District line tracks.

It meant trains couldn't run. Eventually one train was held in each platform and one of the crew climbed onto the roof of the trains and tied the cable up.

He was rather rotund and it was a tight squeeze.

[crusty54]

Having visited Battersea, Camden Town and Stratford whilst supervising maintenance teams I have nothing but appreciation of the work of the teams.

Few of us go to work without knowing what the day/shift will bring.

Their work is always done with immense skill and pride.

[bassmike]

Apr 3, 2020 20:49:44 GMT crusty54 said:

Had an interesting morning with the Battersea crew once.

When the updating work started at Victoria somebody cut a thick cable in the District line ticket hall. It later dropped down on the District line tracks.

It meant trains couldn't run. Eventually one train was held in each platform and one of the crew climbed onto the roof of the trains and tied the cable up.

He was rather rotund and it was a tight squeeze.

These days that would be classed as having too much practicality and common-sense!

[Tom]

Apr 4, 2020 19:30:04 GMT bassmike said:

Apr 3, 2020 20:49:44 GMT crusty54 said:

Had an interesting morning with the Battersea crew once.

When the updating work started at Victoria somebody cut a thick cable in the District line ticket hall. It later dropped down on the District line tracks.

It meant trains couldn't run. Eventually one train was held in each platform and one of the crew climbed onto the roof of the trains and tied the cable up.

He was rather rotund and it was a tight squeeze.

These days that would be classed as having too much practicality and common-sense!

Not at all. The ERU have a way of getting away with things that other parts of the organisation (particularly projects, which are usually considered to be construction sites) would never be able to do in a million years - because it is urgent and service affecting. That said, the consequences of a slip or trip after during such a repair would be interesting!

[crusty54]

Apr 5, 2020 22:13:37 GMT Tom said:

Apr 4, 2020 19:30:04 GMT bassmike said:

These days that would be classed as having too much practicality and common-sense!

Not at all. The ERU have a way of getting away with things that other parts of the organisation (particularly projects, which are usually considered to be construction sites) would never be able to do in a million years - because it is urgent and service affecting. That said, the consequences of a slip or trip after during such a repair would be interesting!

Just to be clear it was done in a perfectly safe manner with support from other members of the team.