Train crash ‘could have been disaster’
Feb 1 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal
A RAIL crash which caused lengthy disruption for North commuters could have been avoided if Network Rail had carried out more checks, a report says.
The investigation by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) also warns that the derailment could have had “much more severe consequences” but for the good fortune that there were no trains on the opposite track at the time.
The derailment last May saw an empty coal freight train became stuck on the King Edward Bridge, near Newcastle’s Central Station.
RAIB’s report revealed the train actually derailed at a track crossover section near the Redheugh Bridge and travelled almost one kilometre before safety brakes brought it to a halt above the Tyne.
By this point, two of the four derailed wagons had cleared the rails and had dragged up large sections of the bridge and track.
Investigators have warned that while no one was injured, the accident could have been much worse. When one of the wagons left the rails, it fell to the left and blocked the parallel train track.
The report into the incident said: “Had a train been passing on the up main line at that time, there would have been a collision with the possibility of much more severe consequences.”
Safety engineers repaired the line used by passenger and freight trains within four days of the accident, which was caused by a combination of a relatively minor track defect and a distorted wagon frame.
Wagons 22 and 23 of the 39-wagon train left the track when they passed from the main line onto the line serving the station – with just a 30mm defect enough to jolt the already-damaged wagons off the track.
And while the wagons were more likely to be affected by the track defect because of a twisted wagon frame, the RAIB believes Network Rail could have done more to prevent the accident.
Investigators noted: “Network Rail was monitoring the crossover at a frequency which did not ensure that the geometry was maintained in a compliant state.”
A spokesman for Network Rail said it was considering the recommendations.
While Network Rail would not say whether it believed the track was checked often enough, the spokesman said it had contacted freight train owners to discuss “wagon frame twist issues”. The report has also recommended a complete review of track arrangements at the junction south of the King Edward Bridge.
The derailed service was run by the UK’s largest freight train operator, EWS.
A spokesman for EWS said the report would be looked at and the recommendations considered.
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