The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released its report today into the runaway of a manually propelled trolley between Larkhall and Barncluith tunnel on 02 November 2005.
The full report is available here
A summary of the key points from the report is included below;
Summary
On Wednesday 02 November a manually propelled trolley being used within an engineering possession on the partially built Larkhall branch in Scotland ran away from the trolley operator. It travelled over three miles down hill and ran onto a railway line open to traffic. The trolley came to a stand within Barncluith tunnel where a possible collision with a passenger train was prevented by the trolley activating a track circuit within the tunnel.
The immediate causes of the runaway were the use of a heavily loaded trolley on a steeper gradient than permitted, the brake lining material, and the contamination of the brake linings by a mixture of mud, fuel and oil.
Recommendations
The RAIB has made sixteen recommendations as a result of its investigation. They cover the specification, design and testing of manually propelled trolleys and their braking systems, safety checks prior to the use of trolleys, the Rule Book coverage for the use of manually propelled trolleys; competency in the use of manually propelled trolleys, company safety management; the dissemination of safety information, and product acceptance processes.
Notes to Editors
1. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch started operation on 17 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.
2. For media enquiries please call 020 7944 6984.
Newsdate: 2 November 2006
