On Tue 30th Jan 2007 major service disruption was caused on the ECML between Edinburgh & Berwick when, while hauled by 66115, fire broke out on board one of the sections of the rear IPA 'Quad' Car Carrier on the 6X38 Washwood Heath - Bathgate car train while south of Drem. Brought to a stand at Drem Junction at approx 06:30, by which time the fire had got a serious hold, fire crews were quickly on the scene. At the height of the blaze, 45 firefighters were on site tackling the fire and also trying to prevent the flames spreading to the very last wagon of the car carrying train - a 2 axle petroleum tank carrying diesel oil for Millerhill.!!! The fire was eventually put out by 10:00, but not before the entire rear 'Quad' (No: 23-87-4375-030-5) & the back two sections of the penultimate 'Quad' (23-87-4375-044-6) were completely gutted along with the 36 brand new Citroen cars which they were carrying. The undamaged portion of 6X38 was uncoupled from the burnt out wagons and sent on it's way to Bathgate at 12:12, while Millerhill dispatched 37406 to collect the damaged wagons and haul them to Millerhill. In this illustration, taken at Drem at 10:18, shows the extent of the damage to both the cars and to the Car Carriers while fire officers carry out dampening down procedures to remove excess heat and small pockets of fire.

Photo: Ross Aitken (aos@blueyonder.co.uk)
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