RO-1996-101 Express passenger train T701, track warrant control irregularity, Waipara, 8 January 1996

On Monday 8 January 1996 Train 701, the southbound "Coastal Pacific" passenger service, overran Waipara without a valid track warrant and continued approximately 24 kms into the next section before the error was realised. There was no opposing traffic or obstruction and once the overrun was discovered a valid warrant was issued and Train 701 continued its journey. The causal factor was the Locomotive Engineer's failure to recognise the limits of his authority to proceed. Safety issues identified were the long distances for which track warrants were issued and the need to reinforce track warrant requirements, particularly following crew changeovers.