Are they off their trolleys?

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

There is an interesting choice of photo to illustrate this particular British Transport Police press release:

http://www.btp.presscentre.com/Photo-Library/Remains-of-trolley-on-track-165a.aspx



I don't think that's the remains of a shopping trolley at all: it's a piece of kit that occurs all over the network - I assume as some sort of protection for the cables passing under the track at that point?



Edit note: Additional link to stock picture added, in the interests of continuity of the following discussion. CfN

[Electric train]

I don't think that's the remains of a shopping trolley at all: it's a piece of kit that occurs all over the network - I assume as some sort of protection for the cables passing under the track at that point?

Affectionately know as "toast racks" they are TWPS (Train Protection Warning System) transponders, basically they are aerials that send a signal to a train

[paul7575]

There is an interesting choice of photo to illustrate this particular British Transport Police press release:

http://www.btp.presscentre.com/Photo-Library/Remains-of-trolley-on-track-165a.aspx

I don't think that's the remains of a shopping trolley at all: it's a piece of kit that occurs all over the network - I assume as some sort of protection for the cables passing under the track at that point?

It's a bit more important, it's a TPWS^▸ (Train Protection and Warning System) loop. But definitely part of the normal infrastructure as you say.

PS, looking at the picture full size, it looks as if it's been damaged, as the cross member of the frame is missing. Perhaps something was lost in translation, and it should be 'damaged BY a shopping trolley' perhaps?

Paul

[inspector_blakey]

Good to see the BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) are reinforcing their credentials as a knowledgable specialist railway policing force with that ridiculous photo. Someone really ought to point out the stupidity of that picture to them before they end up looking like a complete bunch of clowns. Oh dear, ooops, too late.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Alright if I draw Brian Page's attention to this topic, then?

[inspector_blakey]

I just emailed their two "national pressdesk" contacts. Will see what (if anything) comes back.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Ah: that's what I was going to do, too! 

Actually, looking at the 'properties' of that particular photo in download, it's described as "Cloakham Lawn TPWS^▸ (Train Protection and Warning System) damage 14.7.10 002".

In any case, it ain't a shopping trolley!

Chris. 

[inspector_blakey]

Update #1: first press contact at the BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) is a dead, "mail undeliverable" response.

Further evidence of the world-class policing operation that is the BTP.

Edited to add...
The Railway Eye has just picked up on it. Wonder if the Fact Compiler is reading the Coffeeshop...!?

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

on the new passing loop aswell

[inspector_blakey]

Someone from BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) (who wasn't either of the people I actually contacted!) just emailed to thank me for pointing out the error and saying they've put it right. I suspect I wasn't the only one...