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RAIB report released into passenger train derailments on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, Cumbria 29 May & 5 July 2006
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released its report today into two separate derailments of passenger trains on the Ravenglass & Eskdale railway on 29th May and 5th July 2006.
The full report is available here: http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/investigation_reports/reports_2007/report072007.cfm
A summary of the key points from the report is included below.
Summary
On Monday 29th May a locomotive-hauled passenger train was travelling from Dalegarth to Ravenglass when the leading bogie of the sixth coach derailed at Spout House Curve. On Wednesday 5th July, the leading bogie of the fifth coach of a different locomotive-hauled passenger train derailed at Millwood Bank. There were no injuries or significant damage to the track in either incident.
The immediate cause of the Spout House Curve derailment was flange climb of the leading right wheel, due to the combination of a vehicle fault and the track condition. There were two causal, several contributory and one underlying factor to the derailment.
The immediate cause of the Millwood Bank derailment was flange climb of the leading right wheel, due to a combination of vehicle, track and operational factors, which resulted in an excessive amount of vehicle sway and wheel unloading. There were three causal, three contributory and one underlying factor to the derailment.
Recommendations
The RAIB has made recommendations as a result
of its investigation they are:
1. a fleet check of axlebox clearances and its inclusion in
ongoing maintenance practice;
2. development and
implementation of a vehicle maintenance regime which is based on
the assessment of hazards identified from both past experience and
analysis of possible future failure modes;
3. review of the
suspension set up on the type of bogie involved in the derailment
at Millwood Bank, to ensure it is consistent with the track
condition;
4. examination of the track to identify current and
likely future areas of poor condition and remedial work where
necessary, particularly with regard to voiding below
sleepers;
5. review of the existing track fault reporting
system and the reaction to reported faults and mandating of the
system;
6. implementation of a system to identify track faults
liable to cause excessive sway and when mitigation measures should
be triggered;
7. briefing of operational staff on the signs of
and risk from excessive vehicle sway;
Notes to Editors
1. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch started operation on 17th October 2005. The sole purpose of RAIB investigations is to prevent future accidents and incidents and improve railway safety. The RAIB does not establish blame, liability or carry out prosecutions.
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