Executive summary
On Wednesday 14 April 2004, at 1504, Train 736, a Christchurch-Picton express freight service was signalled into the Christchurch-Belfast section of the Main North Line that was already occupied by a track maintenance gang. The occupation had been authorised by an outgoing train controller.
Three track maintenance personnel had to take evasive action when the train passed through their worksite.
There were no injuries or equipment damage.
Safety issues identified included:
- the lack of forward planning on the train control diagram
- the unintentional removal of a control block instead of a control tag from the section of track that was already occupied.
Two safety recommendations have been made to the Chief Executive of New Zealand Railways Corporation to address these issues
Related Recommendations
review the Rail Operating Code with a view to clarifying those instances where staff to be relieved from duties when involved in an operating occurrence.
incorporate an instruction in the Rail Operating Code confirming that the train control diagram is the primary tool for authorising the movement of rail services vehicles and track occupations.