Train 801, tunnel door closed on train, Otira Tunnel, 12 November 1997
Status
Closed
Occurrence Date
Report Publication Date
Jurisdiction
NZ
Legacy Inquiry Number
97-114
On Wednesday 12 November 1997, at about 1140 hours, the door at the west portal of the Otira Tunnel closed on the side of Train 801, the westbound TranzAlpine. The impact caused minor damage and there were no injuries.
The door closed because of an unintended activation of the control system by Train 801. An optical sensor which could have prevented the closure was not functioning due to a loose electrical connection. Safety issues identified were a deficiency in the signalling design logic for the door control and the lack of a fail-safe optical sensor safety system.
The door closed because of an unintended activation of the control system by Train 801. An optical sensor which could have prevented the closure was not functioning due to a loose electrical connection. Safety issues identified were a deficiency in the signalling design logic for the door control and the lack of a fail-safe optical sensor safety system.
Location
Otira Tunnel (-42.828901,171.562675) [may be approximate]