Disaster averted at Paris-Roubaix as race disrupted by train at level crossing

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

Watch the video.....

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/12/paris-roubaix-cyclists-train-level-crossing?CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2

[patch38]

The caption to the video reads, "Train interferes with Paris - Roubaix 2015".

I wonder if it shouldn't read, "Cycle race interferes with safe operation of the TGV^▸ (Train a Grande Vitesse) network" ? 

[TaplowGreen]

...........in France, cycles have right of way over everything!

[IndustryInsider]

Rather silly routing races over busy level crossings as the riders towards the front of the Peloton would have arrived at the closing barriers at quite a pace as can be seen on the video.  The riders who clearly chose to cross after the barriers are down should be penalised though as radio calls would always be made to stop the pack ahead to wait for them as that's the etiquette in cycling.

[Bmblbzzz]

Yes, the group that got through - or dodged round - the barriers was made to slow down and wait for the others to catch up. However, that still gives them an advantage in that they are resting while the main peloton has to work to catch them up. It's not the first time something like this has happened, it's been a feature of several Tours de France. It might not be practical to reroute the race - it's not quite clear on the video, but it looks like that's one of the cobbled sections which are the essence of the race - but maybe the start time could be altered so the riders arrive a bit later or earlier.

[stuving]

They do time the race to avoid trains, but in this case the race was held up for 10 minutes at the start.

SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) have announced that they will be reporting this as criminal behaviour (porter plainte contre x). That may make it difficult for the race organisers to stick to their initial decision not to disqualify anyone.

[Bmblbzzz]

Perhaps the race marshalling needs to be a bit tougher too. A couple of riders went round the barriers even after the motorcycle cop stopped them. Maybe they need to think about sending one of the marshals up the road in advance to wait by the crossing in order to stop the riders if needed.

[Thatcham Crossing]

Looks like the TGV^▸ (Train a Grande Vitesse) was proceeding at fairly low speed (certainly not 300km/h), which is a good job.

Perhaps the driver had already hit the anchors having seen what was occuring ahead of him?

[JayMac]

That section of line would not have been high speed. It's off the main TGV^▸ (Train a Grande Vitesse) network. There are no level crossings on the TGV main lines.

[stuving]

They do time the race to avoid trains, but in this case the race was held up for 10 minutes at the start.

Or at least that's what they say. However, 4 hours into the race the three ETAs (for different grades of "fast") spread over 24 minutes, and they were running faster than the fastest one by 5 minutes. The train was due 5 minutes after the earliest ETA, which is hardly planning to miss it. There appears to be no other train for an hour before or after it.

That section of line would not have been high speed. It's off the main TGV^▸ (Train a Grande Vitesse) network. There are no level crossings on the TGV main lines.

Indeed, it's the stretch from Valenciennes to Douai, about 35 km and timetabled to take 36 minutes. The trains go on to Arras and then pick up the LGV^▸ (Large Goods Vehicle) to Paris-Nord.

[JayMac]

Nothing new under the sun. From France in 1937:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59iDYFlOgUo

 

[stuving]

Since that initial reported incident, SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) been taking this pretty seriously. They have been running a campaign every time a major race is likely to have a similar issue. For example, there was one on Sunday: "La Roue Tourangelle" - not very famous, and only two crossings involved, but they still had stands at the start (handing out leaflets and "goodies" [sic]), and getting to brief the riders.

[Billhere]

There was a similar incident in the same event last year, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfPnJob2aGY this time at an AHB where cyclists round the open side, narrowly missed being hit by the train, and only stopped by the Police at the crossing. Interesting to hear the commentator saying 'these TGV^▸ (Train a Grande Vitesse)'s travel at ridiculously high speeds'.

Not all TGV's use the high speed lines, many are now on the 'ordinary' main lines as well as they are replaced on the higher speed routes. According to the report for this year the Driver was doing about 65 mph, and braking when he saw what was happening.

Twice in two years no wonder SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) are making a complaint.

[Surrey 455]

There was a similar incident in the same event last year

This is an old thread from last year and refers to the same incident. Good to see the video again.