Executive summary
On Wednesday, 13 December 1995 at about 1557 hours Train 2650, comprising two Ganz Mavàg electric multiple units running from Wellington to Upper Hutt, derailed while departing Taita Station. The derailed car, EM 1494, was second in the four car consist and all four wheels of the trailing bogie derailed. There were no injuries. The cause was the separation of the tyre from a wheel on EM 1494. Safety issues identified were the need to record and retain tyre fitting records, the inspection procedures for tyred wheels, the advantages of solid wheels, and the operator's training of part-time Passenger Operators.
Related Recommendations
Review the periodicity and suitability of pit inspection to detect loose tyres on Electric Multiple Units before lateral movement on the wheel is possible.
Give priority to developing a suitable solid wheel option to replace tyred wheels on Electric Multiple units.
Introduce procedures to record and retain all details of the fitting of new tyres for a minimum period of 10 years.