RO-1998-120

On Tuesday, 17 November 1998, at approximately 1040 hours Train 700, the northbound Coastal Pacific passenger express, was travelling through Hapuku when dragging brake gear on a high speed goods wagon at the head of the train struck and damaged the main line turnouts. The train continued for a further 26 km before the locomotive engineer noted track ballast being thrown up by the dragging brake gear and stopped the train.

Dragging brake gear had the potential to damage facing turnouts to the extent that the points could move under a train and direct part of the train to a different route. Any such diversion of part of a passenger train had a high probability of leading to a serious derailment.

Safety deficiencies identified were the inadequacy of the brake rodding safety straps and the failure of Tranz Rail Limited's safety system to prevent or detect dragging brake gear creating a danger to crew and passenger safety. Two safety recommendations were made to address these deficiencies.