The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released its report today into the derailment of a freight train at Brentingby Junction, near Melton Mowbray, on Thursday 09 February 2006.
The full report is available here:
A summary of the key points from the report is included below;
Summary
On Thursday 09 February an EWS freight train passed a signal at danger and derailed at a set of trap points at the end of a goods line at Brentingby Junction, near Melton Mowbray. The locomotive and the first three wagons were derailed. There were no injuries as a result of the accident, but some damage was caused to the wagons.
The immediate cause of the accident was that the driver had a microsleep approaching the signal, and was only woken after the train had derailed beyond the signal. Two causal factors were that the driver was suffering from fatigue and the use of trap points as a measure to mitigate overruns. There were several contributory factors to the incident, including that the driver had intended to stop at the signal, rather than 20m short as required. He did this to avoid walking to the signal post telephone.
Recommendations
The RAIB has made ten recommendations as a result of its investigation. They cover:
- improvements to the management of fatigue;
- improving the safety of trap points; and
- re-positioning the signal post telephone.
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: 23 January 2007
