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Edinburgh derailment caused by unsafe switch | Edinburgh derailment caused by unsafe switch |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A passenger train derailed because Network Rail failed to notice that a switch rail was worn out and unsafe, accident investigators have found. | A passenger train derailed because Network Rail failed to notice that a switch rail was worn out and unsafe, accident investigators have found. |
The First ScotRail train came off the track close to Waverley Station in Edinburgh in July 2011. | The First ScotRail train came off the track close to Waverley Station in Edinburgh in July 2011. |
It had been empty apart from the driver and conductor - neither of whom was injured. | |
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch made a series of recommendations in its report into the incident. | The Rail Accident Investigation Branch made a series of recommendations in its report into the incident. |
It found that the derailment happened while the three-carriage train was travelling at only 19mph while traversing points in the Princes Street Garden area, as it approached Waverley Station. | It found that the derailment happened while the three-carriage train was travelling at only 19mph while traversing points in the Princes Street Garden area, as it approached Waverley Station. |
The leading bogie of the third coach derailed and travelled for 110m before stopping, but the train remained upright. | The leading bogie of the third coach derailed and travelled for 110m before stopping, but the train remained upright. |
The incident affected two lines which were both closed until two days later, causing disruption to trains in and out of Waverley. | The incident affected two lines which were both closed until two days later, causing disruption to trains in and out of Waverley. |
Investigators found that the first wheel to derail was not correctly steered by the moveable switch rail to the correct route. | Investigators found that the first wheel to derail was not correctly steered by the moveable switch rail to the correct route. |
Instead the wheel climbed over the rail, pulling the other wheels of the bogie into derailment. | Instead the wheel climbed over the rail, pulling the other wheels of the bogie into derailment. |
The report stated: "Three days prior to the accident the left-hand switch rail had been identified as having the potential to cause derailment. | The report stated: "Three days prior to the accident the left-hand switch rail had been identified as having the potential to cause derailment. |
"Although it was worn beyond repair by grinding in accordance with the company standard, a grinding repair was attempted. The subsequent inspection process did not find the switch to be unsafe and it remained in service." | "Although it was worn beyond repair by grinding in accordance with the company standard, a grinding repair was attempted. The subsequent inspection process did not find the switch to be unsafe and it remained in service." |
It added that the required prior scoping of the repair, which might have identified the unsuitability of the switch rail for repair by grinding, was not carried out. | It added that the required prior scoping of the repair, which might have identified the unsuitability of the switch rail for repair by grinding, was not carried out. |
"The local practice of maintaining points to safety limits and the lack of guidance on when a switch rail is unrepairable by grinding were underlying factors in this accident," the report concluded. | "The local practice of maintaining points to safety limits and the lack of guidance on when a switch rail is unrepairable by grinding were underlying factors in this accident," the report concluded. |
The RAIB made five recommendations to Network Rail, including the provision of maintenance intervention limits on switches, and the use of automatic lubrication on switches which are vulnerable to wear. | The RAIB made five recommendations to Network Rail, including the provision of maintenance intervention limits on switches, and the use of automatic lubrication on switches which are vulnerable to wear. |
Network Rail said it made changes to ways of working after the accident. | |
A spokesman said: "Safety is our number one priority and we will review the RAIB report closely. | |
"We have already made changes in how we manage the maintenance of points and reviewed staff training as a result of this incident." |
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