On Friday 27 June 2003, Tranz Metro Train 3347 was an Auckland to Papakura diesel multiple unit passenger train. At about 0915, a driveshaft on passenger car ADL 810 failed as the train approached Purewa Tunnel, between Meadowbank and Glen Innes stations. The DMU driver stopped the train about 200 m short of the tunnel.
The free end of the failed driveshaft was not sufficiently restrained and it punctured the floor of the passenger compartment.
The 3 passengers travelling in ADL 810 were not injured.
The safety issues identified included:
ò recording and tracking of the maintenance and service history of individual DMU driveshafts
ò installation and maintenance standards for driveshafts
ò inspection procedures and criteria for acceptance or rejection of individual driveshafts
ò design of the safety stirrup to contain the driveshaft in the event of a failure.
Four safety recommendations were made to the Chief Executive of Toll NZ Consolidated Limited to address these issues.
