Executive summary
On Tuesday 27 April 2004 at about 1605 hours, express freight Train 220 collided with the empty trailer of a fertiliser truck and trailer unit at a farm access level crossing between Maewa and Rangitawa on the North Island Main Trunk. The front bogie of the lead locomotive derailed and the truck and trailer unit was extensively damaged. One traction mast was knocked over and the overhead catenary brought down.
The locomotive engineer and the truck driver both suffered minor injuries.
The safety issues identified were:
• the legal status of the level crossing
• the view lines at the level crossing
• the available stacking distances for long road vehicles
Three safety recommendations were made to the Chief Executive of New Zealand Railways Corporation.
Related Recommendations
Close the level crossing located at 162.56 km NIMT between Maewa and Rangitawa.
To reflect the standards applied to public level crossings, arrange for the installation at all private level crossings appropriate marking or signage 3 m from the nearest rail to define the position of limit lines for approaching vehicular traffic.
Identify all other private level crossings that are neither statutory nor granted, and either execute a deed of grant for each crossing that meets technical standards and there is a need to retain the crossing, or close the crossing.