RO-2002-130

Express freight Train 220, derailment, Rukuhia, 18 December 2002
Status
Closed
Occurrence Date
Report Publication Date
Jurisdiction
NZ
Legacy Inquiry Number
02-130
On Wednesday 18 December 2002 at about 2230, northbound express freight Train 220 was approaching Rukuhia when dragging brake gear on a wagon near the middle of the train hit the spreader bar of the south-end turnout. As a result of the impact, the train parted and 11 wagons derailed.

Safety issues identified included:

· the limitations of the fulcrum pin connecting the brake vertical lever to the brake beam
· the absence of a safety wire to support the push rod in the event of a failure.

As a result of the safety actions taken by Tranz Rail, no safety recommendations have been made.
Location
Rukuhia near Hamilton (-37.864285,175.282798) [may be approximate]