The wrong kind of snow

The wrong kind of snow is a phrase coined by the British media in 1991 after severe weather caused disruption to many of British Rail's services. People who did not realise that there are different kinds of snow saw the reference as nonsensical; in the United Kingdom, the phrase became a byword for euphemistic and lame excuses. [Hartley & Bruckmann 2002, p. 1.]

Background

The phrase originated in a comment by British Rail's Director of Operations Terry Worrall on 11 February 1991 that "we are having particular problems with the type of snow". This prompted a headline in the London "Evening Standard" saying 'British Rail blames the wrong type of snow' [Woodward, Antony, and Penn, Robert, "The Wrong Kind of Snow, How the Weather Made Britain" (2008), ISBN 9780340937884.] which was swiftly taken up by the media and other papers. The cold snap had been forecast and British Rail had claimed to be ready for the coming snow. However, the snow – which was not deep enough for snowploughs or snow blowers to be effective – was unusually soft and powdery,Gourvish 2002, p. 274.] finding its way into electrical systems and causing short circuits and traction motor damage. For traction motors with integral cooling fans and air intakes pointing downwards – the type that is still common on British electric multiple units – the problem was made worse as the air intakes sucked up the loose snow. Meanwhile, the snow also packed itself into sliding door mechanisms and into points, causing them to fail. In addition, low temperatures resulted in problems with electrical current collection from the third rail.

Many electric services had to be substituted with diesel haulage, and emergency timetables were introduced. Long delays were commonplace – up to eight hours in some cases. The disruption lasted over a week.

ee also

*Leaves on the line

Notes

References

*Allan, Ian. "Motive Power Monthly" (May 1991) ISSN 0952-2867
*cite book | title = Business Communication | last = Hartley | first = Peter | coauthors = Bruckmann, Clive G. | publisher = Routledge | year = 2002 | isbn = 0415195500
*cite book | title=British Rail, 1974-97: From Integration to Privatisation | last=Gourvish | first=Terence | isbn=0199269092 | year = 2002 [Woodward, Antony, and Penn, Robert, "The Wrong Kind of Snow, How the Weather Made Britain" (2008), ISBN 9780340937884.]