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Author Topic: Freight derailment east Somerset junction 20/3/17  (Read 30805 times)
grahame
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« Reply #45 on: April 03, 2017, 10:20:51 »

From RAIB (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/freight-train-derailment-east-somerset-junction

Quote
At around 17:50 hrs on Monday 20 March, six loaded wagons of an eastbound freight train became derailed as the train passed over East Somerset Junction, between Castle Cary and Frome, while travelling at about 20 mph (32 km/h). The train, the 17:05 hrs service from Merehead to Acton yard, was joining the up Westbury line from the Merehead single branch line.

There were no injuries. The accident resulted in substantial damage to the railway infrastructure; around 100 metres of track including two sets of switches and crossings were destroyed. Train services between London Paddington and the West Country were diverted via Swindon while the wagons were recovered and track repairs took place over the following four days.

The freight train consisted of a class 59 diesel-electric locomotive hauling 38 loaded wagons of types JNA, JHA, HOA and IIA. It was carrying stone from the Merehead quarries for use in the construction industry. The wagons that derailed were the 24th to 29th from the front of the train. The train split between the 21st and 22nd wagons when the derailment occurred, and the train was stopped by the automatic application of the brakes.

The leading wagon which derailed was of the HOA type. The derailment occurred close to where a set of trailing points had been removed and replaced by plain line in 2012.

Our investigation will identify the sequence of events that led to the accident, and how the wagons derailed. It will also include consideration of:
* the condition of the track, its geometry and how it was maintained
* how the wagons were loaded
* the condition of the wagons
* any relevant underlying management factors
Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry, the British Transport Police or by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.

We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation. This report will be available on our website.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #46 on: December 13, 2017, 11:49:34 »

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB (Rail Accident Investigation Branch)) has now published its report.

Quote


Summary

At about 17:49 hrs on Monday 20 March 2017, six wagons of a freight train carrying aggregates from Merehead Quarry to Acton Yard derailed at East Somerset Junction, between Westbury and Castle Cary. The accident blocked the Up Westbury line, and the train stopped when the brakes applied automatically following the parting of a coupling. There were no injuries.

The derailment occurred due to a loss of track integrity: the fixity of the right-hand rail was lost due to progressive failure of the chairscrews under the loads from freight trains traversing the curve, leading to gauge spread. The investigation identified that the design of the track was sub-optimal, following replacement of a set of points with plain line in 2010. The signs of gauge spread were not identified during inspections of the track by staff from Westbury track maintenance depot, and the section of line where the derailment occurred had not been subject to mandatory geometry measurements.

Recommendations

The RAIB has made four recommendations addressed to Network Rail. These cover enhancements to the company’s procedures for plain-lining of points, mitigation of risk at locations where points have previously been plain-lined, improvements to planning the operation of track measurement trains and evaluating the delivery of key track maintenance activities in the Westbury area.

The RAIB has also made a learning point, reinforcing the importance of identifying gauge spread on sections of curved track which may be subject to high lateral loads.

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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
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« Reply #47 on: December 13, 2017, 16:34:39 »

I think the report is quite damming of the NR» (Network Rail - home page) infrastructure maintenance (or non-maintenance) in the Westbury area.  Explains a lot why the main line is in such a state between Witham and Southcote Junction (one of the worst areas for ride I have ever encountered in my 50 years of train travel).  The number of significant track twists and dips beggars belief that there have never been further derailments (and I do hope that something is done before such an event).  I say that as a passenger in a fairly comfortable MK3 coach, so I would hate to think what its like for drivers at the front end Sad
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rower40
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« Reply #48 on: December 14, 2017, 16:59:56 »

I unknowed that fixity was a word.
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stuving
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« Reply #49 on: December 14, 2017, 19:49:49 »

I unknowed that fixity was a word.

It's a standard railway term, but does occur elsewhere. Would you prefer fixion?
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #50 on: December 15, 2017, 00:56:17 »

If it's alright with the Oxford Dictionary, it's alright with me.  Wink

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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
rower40
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« Reply #51 on: December 15, 2017, 13:43:05 »

Fair do's.  It's clearly the best word for the situation.  I'd considered "security", "stability", "rigidity", and "fixedness", but none of them are ideal.
It is now in my vocabulary!  Sorry to derail (ho ho) the thread.
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