Executive summary
On Friday, 21 November 2003, at about 1300, 10 wagons on northbound express freight Train 220 derailed as the train passed through Shannon.
There were no injuries.
The probable cause of the derailment was a combination of track and a wagon at the limit of their respective working tolerances.
The safety issue identified was the compatibility of current track and mechanical tolerances and their potential to cause derailments.
Safety recommendations were made to the Chief Executive of New Zealand Railways Corporation and the Chief Executive of Toll NZ Consolidated Limited to address these issues.
Related Recommendations
in conjunction with Toll NZ Consolidated Limited critically review current track and mechanical code standards and maintenance tolerances to ensure they are compatible and minimise the potential for derailments caused by dynamic interaction
In conjunction with New Zealand Railways Corporation critically review current track and mechanical code standards and maintenance tolerances to ensure they are compatible and minimise the potential for derailments caused by dynamic interaction.