The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) today released its report into the derailment of a freight train at Ely, Cambridgeshire, on the 22 June 2007. The derailment resulted in the wagon, and other connected wagons, colliding with the underbridge on the approach to the River Great Ouse, causing considerable physical and environmental damage, as well as closing both the railway and river to traffic for some time.
A full copy of the report is available here:
Summary
At around 02:00 hrs on 22 June 2007 wagon 16002, the 15th wagon in train 6L58, the 21:19 hrs Mountsorrel to Chelmsford, derailed on the approach to River Great Ouse underbridge near Ely. The derailed wagon was dragged onto the bridge, where it, and other wagons that subsequently derailed, caused considerable damage to the bridge structure. There were no casualties in the derailment.
The RAIB investigation identified the immediate cause of the incident was the right hand leading wheel flange on wagon 16002 running over the rail head. This was caused by the leading right hand suspension sticking (frictionally locking up), with the result that only the tip of the wheel flange was in contact with the rail. As the wagon rounded the curve only very small guiding forces acted on the flange, which were insufficient to keep the vehicle on the track.
Recommendations
As a consequence of this accident, the RAIB has made 16 recommendations, targeted at Network Rail, Lafarge Cement (the owners of the wagons), Wabtec, Ltd. (the maintainers of the wagons) and English, Welsh and Scottish Railway (now operating as D.B.Schenker), the operators of the train. These relate to the detection of out of balance wagons, standards and maintenance records for private owner wagons operating on Network Rail’s system, track maintenance standards and access times at Ely, and train preparation at Mountsorrel.
Notes to editors
1. 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 3248.
Newsdate: 22 January 2009
