Go-slow for trains hit by frozen horns

Drivers of some Class 185 trains were advised by bosses to keep their speeds down and keep trying the horns to check they were still working.

A number of drivers have complained about the problem and union bosses said it presented a hazard.

The union officials suggested that lives could be at risk because drivers would be unable to alert track workers, motorists, and pedestrians at unmanned crossings to an oncoming train.

However, the company said that track workers kept a lookout for trains anyway so would be unlikely to be caught unawares.

Cars should not be on the railway line anyway, a company spokesman added. He continued: "There has been a problem with the horns and we have taken measures to rectify it."

"Particularly in cold weather we have identified a problem with a particular type of horn. The mitigation has been

to reduce speed and test

horns to make sure they're working."

Leaked internal memos pointed to horn faults cropping up more and more during the winter months, especially during damp conditions.

One said that drivers had to test their horns every 15 minutes between station stops – even between 11pm and 7am.

It said: "If there is a complete loss of both low and high tone, the train speed must be reduced immediately to 20mph and can then continue in service to the next location where the defect can be rectified."