RO-1998-109

On Tuesday, 2 June 1998, Train 482 was running from Putaruru to Kinleith with a rake of six empty wagons. At approximately 0510 hours the train was stopped by a member of the public waving a torch just ahead of a main line blockage caused by wagons in the Tokoroa timber siding which had run away and derailed fouling the main line. The safety issues identified were the adequacy of the standards and procedures in place to protect the main line from possible wagon runaways on steeply graded sidings, and the adequacy of procedures to identify recurring problems and initiate appropriate follow up action. Four safety recommendations were made to Tranz Rail Limited to address these issues.