RO-1993-126

On 10 December 1993 express freight train 210 encountered a "stop and proceed" signal at Stop at Puhinui, 1.5 km south of Papatoetoe. In accordance with the signalling rules, the Locomotive Engineer stopped, and after a short interval, proceeded. He subsequently had to make an emergency brake application to avoid a collision with a stationary train ahead of him. The safety issues identified in this report were the need for guidelines for Locomotive Engineers to assess their fitness for duty and rest facilities for Locomotive Engineers while waiting for trains.