Executive summary
On Thursday, 20 October 2005 at about 1900, eastbound express freight Train 834 was scheduled to cross with westbound express freight Train 841 at Cora Lynn on the Midland Line. Train 841 was berthed on the loop when Train 834 also entered the loop and collided head on with Train 841.
The locomotives on each train were extensively damaged, but there was no damage to the wagons on either train or to the track infrastructure.
The locomotive engineers suffered minor injuries.
The safety issues identified included:
• the appropriateness of the signalling and interlocking arrangements and operating procedures on the Midland Line;
• the use of non-compliant work practices on the Midland Line.
Two safety recommendations covering these issues were made to the Chief Executive of ONTRACK.
Related Recommendations
review existing signalling and interlocking arrangements and operating procedures at Single Line Automatic Signalling crossing stations on the Midland Line, with a view to introducing enhanced operating practices or engineering modifications to reduce the risk of collision resulting from the overrunning of a signal at stop.
carry out a review to validate the permanent 25 km/h speed restriction currently in effect for eastbound trains when travelling through Tunnel 1 on the Midland Line
review Toll Rail’s compliance monitoring of locomotive engineers to confirm that the increased monitoring as defined in the safety action of 21 February 2006 has been implemented and is effective.