Investigation into the collision of a detached panel on freight container with a track maintenance machine near Althorpe Park, Northamptonshire, 18 July 2011

At 17:55 hrs, the driver of a tamper travelling on the Down Northampton line, reported that his cab had been struck by an object from freight train 4L68, the 12:15 hrs container service from Birch Coppice (near Tamworth) to Felixstowe, as it passed on the adjacent line.  The tamper driver had observed a metal panel flapping from the side of the approaching container train.  He released the safety device in his cab as he moved to protect himself and the tamper came to a stand.  The side window of the cab had been smashed but he escaped injury.  He then called the signaller to request that all trains be stopped on the adjacent line.  When he continued his journey, the tamper driver reported finding another similar panel beside the track closer to Rugby. 

The two metal panels were later recovered from the trackside and were found to be from two containers that were on 4L68.  The containers were fitted with power generation equipment.  The panels, approximately 2.5m high x 1m wide, had been screwed to the container sides; each had covered a louvred-aperture.  The RAIB has examined the containers and found evidence of loose and missing screws on other panels that had been fitted.

The RAIB’s investigation will examine the sequence of events leading up to the incident, train preparation, the reasons for the panels detaching, and the controls in place to manage the modification of freight containers transported on the railway.

The RAIB’s investigation is independent of any investigations by the safety authority (the Office of Rail Regulation).

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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