The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) today released its report into a derailment at Windsor and Eton Riverside station on 11 October 2009.
A full copy of the report is available here:
Summary
The derailment occurred as the 13:30 hrs train from London Waterloo approached the buffer stops on platform 1 at Windsor and Eton Riverside station at low speed. The train was a charter service comprising a locomotive hauling some heritage vehicles, rather than the normal multiple units that operate into this station. Wheels on both bogies on the first carriage of the train derailed. The normal train service to Windsor and Eton Riverside station was suspended until 19:58 hrs and platform 1 was brought back into use in time for the start of passenger services the following day.
The RAIB investigation identified that:
- the immediate cause of the derailment was that the track was unable to maintain the correct gauge as the train passed over;
- action had not been taken by Network Rail to replace decaying wooden sleepers at the location where the derailment occurred;
- action had not been taken by Network Rail to adopt other measures that might have mitigated the risk before the decaying sleepers could be replaced;
- Network Rail’s management processes for identifying, reporting, recording, monitoring and taking action to deal with infrastructure faults did not result in timely action being taken to deal with the decaying sleepers at Windsor and Eton Riverside; and
- Network Rail’s audit processes did not use information about previous non-compliances as the basis for planning subsequent audits.
Network Rail took immediate action after the accident to rectify the track fault at Windsor and Eton Riverside. Network Rail has also taken action to modify the way in which it manages its database for infrastructure faults, with particular emphasis on improving the accuracy and clarity of the information contained within it.
Recommendations
As a consequence of this accident, the RAIB has made three recommendations:
- Network Rail should revise its current competency training programme for all staff involved in track inspection to enable them to identify track defects associated with decaying wooden sleepers and the potential risk of derailment;
- Network Rail should develop and implement a proposal for the enhanced inspection and measurement of track gauge at potentially vulnerable locations; and
- Network Rail should improve its procedures for auditing track maintenance activities.
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: 5 August 2010
