RO-1997-111

On Tuesday 14 October 1997, at about 0815 hours a 3.7 m log fell from a wagon forming part of Train C25, a Kinleith to Mount Maunganui log train, as it passed through Tokoroa. The log cartwheeled for 38 m, cleared a 1.8 m high fence and came to rest on a trampoline in a residential property.

The fall occurred because the combination of load height and spacing of wagon cradles was insufficient to restrain the 3.7 m log. Safety issues identified were the adequacy of the Tranz Rail Freight Handling Code covering loading of 3.7 m logs, the interpretation of the code, the suitability of current Tranz Rail Limited rolling stock to transport 3.7 m logs and compliance monitoring of log loadings.