Investigation into two incidents of containers blowing off freight trains at Cheddington and Hardendale on 1 March 2008
The first incident, at Cheddington, on the down fast line of the West Coast Main Line (WCML) between Hemel Hempstead and Leighton Buzzard, occurred at approximately 02:30 hrs. A freight train consisting of a Class 56 locomotive hauling 20 container flat wagons lost 2 empty containers while travelling at approximately 70 mph. The detached containers blocked the running lines and caused damage to overhead line equipment (OLE) and to the track. The line was closed until the evening of 1 March.
The second incident occurred at approximately 03:15 hrs adjacent to Hardendale Quarry, between Tebay and Penrith, on the down line of the WCML. A freight train, consisting of two Class 86 locomotives hauling 20 container flat wagons, lost five empty containers from the rearmost four wagons of the train while travelling at approximately 70 mph. The detached containers in this case also blocked running lines and again caused damage to the OLE and track. The line was closed until the early hours of 3 March.
Both incidents took place at a time of high cross winds, and in both cases there were no injuries.
On the basis of the RAIB’s preliminary examinations, there is currently no indication that the driving or maintenance of the train, or the condition of the track, contributed to the two incidents. Some common factors have emerged, including high cross winds, the location of the incident sites on embankments, the unladen condition of the containers, the type of wagon involved and the running speeds of the trains.
The ongoing investigation will focus on, but not be limited to, the aerodynamics effects of the cross winds on the containers, the design of the wagon, how containers are retained on wagons and any operational restrictions on container wagons in high winds.
The RAIB's investigation into the accident is independent of any investigations by the safety authority.
The RAIB will publish a report, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of its investigation. This report will be available on the RAIB website.
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