At about 1640 on Tuesday 19 September 2000, Train P28 Pahiatua - Palmerston North shunting service passed signal 4R at Danger and entered the main line at Woodville which was occupied by opposing Train 601 Bay Express passenger express. Train 601 had a Clear Proceed signalled route and was not expecting to stop. The conflict was soon realised and both trains were brought to a stop about 750 m apart. Train P28 derailed when its locomotive engineer tried to reverse off the main line through a set of points that had been "run through" when the signal had been passed at Danger.
The safety issues addressed in this report are:
• the site knowledge, training and certification of the rail operator
• the ability of the rail operator to identify and understand the indications of a low speed signal
• the lack of documented procedures for the advancing of trains which have stopped after overrunning a signal which reverted to Danger in front of the locomotive engineer
• the total reliance placed on locomotive engineers to follow signal indications to avoid conflicts.
Two safety recommendations have been made to the operator.
