RO-1997-112 Passenger train T1605, disabled, Rimutaka Tunnel, 17 October 1997

On Friday 17 October 1997, Train 1605 was conveying approximately 60 passengers from Masterton to Wellington on its scheduled service. At 1050 hours when 2.5 km into the 8.8 km long Rimutaka Tunnel the train was stopped as a result of an electrical failure in the locomotive control gear. At 1258 hours a relief locomotive was able to clear the disabled service from the tunnel. There were no injuries. Safety issues identified were the lack of any integrity check of the telephone system within the tunnel, the lack of co-ordination of emergency responses and the lack of communication which hampered prompt evacuation of the passengers and crew.