Active railway accident investigations

Hungerford

There has been some interest recently expressed on railway accident investigations in Ireland so I thought that it might be appropriate to establish a thread listing the currently active ones, which can be updated as time progresses.

Active investigations - 02/01/2014

18/02/2012 - Unauthorised train movements at Clonsilla, Dromod, Boyle and Limerick Junction.
Details: Between 18th and 23rd of February 2012 there were four reported possession occurences on the Iarnrod Eireann network.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

23/03/2013 - Unauthorised train movement between Dundalk and Newry.
Details: SLW [single-line working] was in place due to a landslide and flooding on the up line between 60.5 and 6.75 MP between Dundalk and Newry. (Northern Ireland side of the border). An empty CAF set with the Pilotman accompanying the train left Dundalk for Newry. Sometime after the empty CAF had cleared the signal section the 07.35hrs passenger service from Connolly to Belfast was signalled into thes section and proceeded to Newry without the Pliotman being present.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

31/05/2013 - Level crossing near miss at Balnamor, Northern Ireland.
Details: At about 03:05 hrs the car was approaching the level crossing from the south when its driver became aware that a rail vehicle was passing over the crossing immediately in front of him. The car driver had received no prior warning of the rail vehicle’s presence; the crossing’s road traffic signals were not operating and its half-barriers were in the raised position. At the time of the accident, Balnamore level crossing was within a section of track that had been closed to normal rail traffic to enable engineering activities to take place (known as a ‘possession’). The rail vehicle involved in the accident consisted of a rail-mounted trailer containing weed-spraying equipment and a road-rail vehicle (RRV) which was towing it. Both the trailer and RRV were owned and operated by a contractor working for Northern Ireland Railways.
Agency: RAIB (UK)

10/08/2013 - Wrong-side signalling failure at Shankill
Details: Wrong side failure on DART Doors.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

18/12/2013 - Canopy collapse at Kent Station, Cork
Details: Report of severe damage to canopy roof adjacent to platform 1 Cork (Kent Station) causing collapse on platform and injury to persons.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

Victor

Are they from here: http://erail.era.europa.eu/investigations.aspx ?

Hungerford

Victor wrote: »

Are they from here: http://erail.era.europa.eu/investigations.aspx ?

Yep. They are taken from there. I thought it was a good idea to have them all together in one place for quick reference.

Hungerford

Active investigations - updated 09/01/2014

New Investigation
31/12/2013 - Landslide at Waterford Station
Details: At 08.00 hours on 31/12/13 the RAIU where called to investigate a landslide at Waterford Railway Station Ireland. There was a large amount of fallen rock on the track nearest the cliff face (near the signalling cabin) with some of the rock in the location of the rockfall remaining unstable.There is steel netting to prevent falling debris and reports of previous rockfalls in the station area.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

Still active
18/02/2012 - Unauthorised train movements at Clonsilla, Dromod, Boyle and Limerick Junction.
Details: Between 18th and 23rd of February 2012 there were four reported possession occurences on the Iarnrod Eireann network.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

23/03/2013 - Unauthorised train movement between Dundalk and Newry.
Details: SLW [single-line working] was in place due to a landslide and flooding on the up line between 60.5 and 6.75 MP between Dundalk and Newry. (Northern Ireland side of the border). An empty CAF set with the Pilotman accompanying the train left Dundalk for Newry. Sometime after the empty CAF had cleared the signal section the 07.35hrs passenger service from Connolly to Belfast was signalled into thes section and proceeded to Newry without the Pliotman being present.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

31/05/2013 - Level crossing near miss at Balnamor, Northern Ireland.
Details: At about 03:05 hrs the car was approaching the level crossing from the south when its driver became aware that a rail vehicle was passing over the crossing immediately in front of him. The car driver had received no prior warning of the rail vehicle’s presence; the crossing’s road traffic signals were not operating and its half-barriers were in the raised position. At the time of the accident, Balnamore level crossing was within a section of track that had been closed to normal rail traffic to enable engineering activities to take place (known as a ‘possession’). The rail vehicle involved in the accident consisted of a rail-mounted trailer containing weed-spraying equipment and a road-rail vehicle (RRV) which was towing it. Both the trailer and RRV were owned and operated by a contractor working for Northern Ireland Railways.
Agency: RAIB (UK)

10/08/2013 - Wrong-side signalling failure at Shankill
Details: Wrong side failure on DART Doors.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

18/12/2013 - Canopy collapse at Kent Station, Cork
Details: Report of severe damage to canopy roof adjacent to platform 1 Cork (Kent Station) causing collapse on platform and injury to persons.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

Hungerford

Active investigations - updated 17/01/2014

New Investigation
08/12/2013 - SPAD [Signal passed at Danger] at Millstreet
Details: A303, the 11.50hrs passenger service Tralee to Heuston passed signal TL223 at danger while A304 was approaching the platform at Millstreet Station.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

Still Active
18/02/2012 - Unauthorised train movements at Clonsilla, Dromod, Boyle and Limerick Junction.
Details: Between 18th and 23rd of February 2012 there were four reported possession occurences on the Iarnrod Eireann network.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

23/03/2013 - Unauthorised train movement between Dundalk and Newry.
Details: SLW [single-line working] was in place due to a landslide and flooding on the up line between 60.5 and 6.75 MP between Dundalk and Newry. (Northern Ireland side of the border). An empty CAF set with the Pilotman accompanying the train left Dundalk for Newry. Sometime after the empty CAF had cleared the signal section the 07.35hrs passenger service from Connolly to Belfast was signalled into thes section and proceeded to Newry without the Pliotman being present.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

31/05/2013 - Level crossing near miss at Balnamor, Northern Ireland.
Details: At about 03:05 hrs the car was approaching the level crossing from the south when its driver became aware that a rail vehicle was passing over the crossing immediately in front of him. The car driver had received no prior warning of the rail vehicle’s presence; the crossing’s road traffic signals were not operating and its half-barriers were in the raised position. At the time of the accident, Balnamore level crossing was within a section of track that had been closed to normal rail traffic to enable engineering activities to take place (known as a ‘possession’). The rail vehicle involved in the accident consisted of a rail-mounted trailer containing weed-spraying equipment and a road-rail vehicle (RRV) which was towing it. Both the trailer and RRV were owned and operated by a contractor working for Northern Ireland Railways.
Agency: RAIB (UK)

10/08/2013 - Wrong-side signalling failure at Shankill
Details: Wrong side failure on DART Doors.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

18/12/2013 - Canopy collapse at Kent Station, Cork
Details: Report of severe damage to canopy roof adjacent to platform 1 Cork (Kent Station) causing collapse on platform and injury to persons.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

31/12/2013 - Landslide at Waterford Station
Details: At 08.00 hours on 31/12/13 the RAIU where called to investigate a landslide at Waterford Railway Station Ireland. There was a large amount of fallen rock on the track nearest the cliff face (near the signalling cabin) with some of the rock in the location of the rockfall remaining unstable.There is steel netting to prevent falling debris and reports of previous rockfalls in the station area.

Jamie2k9

31/12/2013 - Landslide at Waterford Station
Details: At 08.00 hours on 31/12/13 the RAIU where called to investigate a landslide at Waterford Railway Station Ireland. There was a large amount of fallen rock on the track nearest the cliff face (near the signalling cabin) with some of the rock in the location of the rockfall remaining unstable.There is steel netting to prevent falling debris and reports of previous rockfalls in the station area.

Guessing it should read at 08.00 on 1/1/14, didn't happen until 18.30 on the 31/12/14.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Jamie2k9

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I don't think there will be to much to it as it wasn't at speed and I think train contact with rail head will be a major factor considering the time of year.

Hungerford

The list has remained unchanged since 17/01/2014 to date.

Hungerford

This list has remained unchanged since 29/01/14 to date.

TheBandicoot

Hungerford wrote: »

This list has remained unchanged since 29/01/14 to date.

Wasn't there a train vs van incident this week on the Ballina branch?

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/postman-has-a-lucky-escape-after-van-is-hit-by-train-30005347.html

Hungerford

An official notification of the investigation hasn't been issued yet.

Jamie2k9

TheBandicoot wrote: »

Wasn't there a train vs van incident this week on the Ballina branch?

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/postman-has-a-lucky-escape-after-van-is-hit-by-train-30005347.html

Expect this was yet another preventable accident, the Ballina branch has had a few of these over the years. 6 passengers on the train connection should be more of a concern for IE and with further breakdown of passengers how much revenue did those 6 generate!

Hungerford

Active investigations - updated 17/02/2014

New Investigation
12/02/2014 - Collision between train and vehicle at 151.4 MP, Ballina Branch.
Details: Irish Rail advised the RAIU that the A863 09.35hrs train from Ballina to Manulla Junction passenger service collided with a road vehicle (van) at a user worked level crossing XX024. Following the occurrence the van came to rest across a drain in a field adjacent to the railway.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

Still Active
18/02/2012 - Unauthorised train movements at Clonsilla, Dromod, Boyle and Limerick Junction.
Details: Between 18th and 23rd of February 2012 there were four reported possession occurences on the Iarnrod Eireann network.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

23/03/2013 - Unauthorised train movement between Dundalk and Newry.
Details: SLW [single-line working] was in place due to a landslide and flooding on the up line between 60.5 and 6.75 MP between Dundalk and Newry. (Northern Ireland side of the border). An empty CAF set with the Pilotman accompanying the train left Dundalk for Newry. Sometime after the empty CAF had cleared the signal section the 07.35hrs passenger service from Connolly to Belfast was signalled into thes section and proceeded to Newry without the Pliotman being present.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

31/05/2013 - Level crossing near miss at Balnamor, Northern Ireland.
Details: At about 03:05 hrs the car was approaching the level crossing from the south when its driver became aware that a rail vehicle was passing over the crossing immediately in front of him. The car driver had received no prior warning of the rail vehicle’s presence; the crossing’s road traffic signals were not operating and its half-barriers were in the raised position. At the time of the accident, Balnamore level crossing was within a section of track that had been closed to normal rail traffic to enable engineering activities to take place (known as a ‘possession’). The rail vehicle involved in the accident consisted of a rail-mounted trailer containing weed-spraying equipment and a road-rail vehicle (RRV) which was towing it. Both the trailer and RRV were owned and operated by a contractor working for Northern Ireland Railways.
Agency: RAIB (UK)

10/08/2013 - Wrong-side signalling failure at Shankill
Details: Wrong side failure on DART Doors.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

08/12/2013 - SPAD [Signal passed at Danger] at Millstreet
Details: A303, the 11.50hrs passenger service Tralee to Heuston passed signal TL223 at danger while A304 was approaching the platform at Millstreet Station.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

18/12/2013 - Canopy collapse at Kent Station, Cork
Details: Report of severe damage to canopy roof adjacent to platform 1 Cork (Kent Station) causing collapse on platform and injury to persons.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

31/12/2013 - Landslide at Waterford Station
Details: At 08.00 hours on 31/12/13 the RAIU where called to investigate a landslide at Waterford Railway Station Ireland. There was a large amount of fallen rock on the track nearest the cliff face (near the signalling cabin) with some of the rock in the location of the rockfall remaining unstable.There is steel netting to prevent falling debris and reports of previous rockfalls in the station area.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

Hungerford

Active investigations - updated 28/02/2014

Report issued
18/02/2012 - Unauthorised train movements at Clonsilla, Dromod, Boyle and Limerick Junction.
Details: Between 18th and 23rd of February 2012 there were four reported possession occurences on the Iarnrod Eireann network.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission
Available here
Discussion thread here

Still Active
23/03/2013 - Unauthorised train movement between Dundalk and Newry.
Details: SLW [single-line working] was in place due to a landslide and flooding on the up line between 60.5 and 6.75 MP between Dundalk and Newry. (Northern Ireland side of the border). An empty CAF set with the Pilotman accompanying the train left Dundalk for Newry. Sometime after the empty CAF had cleared the signal section the 07.35hrs passenger service from Connolly to Belfast was signalled into thes section and proceeded to Newry without the Pliotman being present.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

31/05/2013 - Level crossing near miss at Balnamor, Northern Ireland.
Details: At about 03:05 hrs the car was approaching the level crossing from the south when its driver became aware that a rail vehicle was passing over the crossing immediately in front of him. The car driver had received no prior warning of the rail vehicle’s presence; the crossing’s road traffic signals were not operating and its half-barriers were in the raised position. At the time of the accident, Balnamore level crossing was within a section of track that had been closed to normal rail traffic to enable engineering activities to take place (known as a ‘possession’). The rail vehicle involved in the accident consisted of a rail-mounted trailer containing weed-spraying equipment and a road-rail vehicle (RRV) which was towing it. Both the trailer and RRV were owned and operated by a contractor working for Northern Ireland Railways.
Agency: RAIB (UK)

10/08/2013 - Wrong-side signalling failure at Shankill
Details: Wrong side failure on DART Doors.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

08/12/2013 - SPAD [Signal passed at Danger] at Millstreet
Details: A303, the 11.50hrs passenger service Tralee to Heuston passed signal TL223 at danger while A304 was approaching the platform at Millstreet Station.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

18/12/2013 - Canopy collapse at Kent Station, Cork
Details: Report of severe damage to canopy roof adjacent to platform 1 Cork (Kent Station) causing collapse on platform and injury to persons.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

31/12/2013 - Landslide at Waterford Station
Details: At 08.00 hours on 31/12/13 the RAIU where called to investigate a landslide at Waterford Railway Station Ireland. There was a large amount of fallen rock on the track nearest the cliff face (near the signalling cabin) with some of the rock in the location of the rockfall remaining unstable.There is steel netting to prevent falling debris and reports of previous rockfalls in the station area.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

12/02/2014 - Collision between train and vehicle at 151.4 MP, Ballina Branch.
Details: Irish Rail advised the RAIU that the A863 09.35hrs train from Ballina to Manulla Junction passenger service collided with a road vehicle (van) at a user worked level crossing XX024. Following the occurrence the van came to rest across a drain in a field adjacent to the railway.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

Victor

http://raiu.ie/download/pdf/trend_investigation_possession_incidents.pdf

Railway Accident Investigation Unit
Ireland

INVESTIGATION REPORT
Trend Investigation:
Possession incidents on the Iarnród Éireann
network
RAIU Report No: R2014 – 001
Published: 27/02/14


Report summary
In 2012 Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) had four possession related incidents within the space of one week. These incidents led to the RAIU to initiate a trend investigation on the 27th February 2012.
The scope of the trend investigation included the four aforementioned incidents and all other relevant reported possession incidents that occurred between January 2009 and January 2013.
Initial analysis of these incidents identified recurring issues with possession planning therefore this investigation has focused on the management and execution of possession planning. Due to the recurring nature of these issues the RAIU have also examined how IÉ manage internal post incident recommendations previously made in the area of possession management.

Contributory factors in relation to possession incidents identified were:
* The Control Room Process is not fully adhered to in all meetings in that the protection arrangements associated with the occupational safety risks are not discussed;
* The continued planning and implementation of Back-to-Back possessions has introduced practices that are non-compliant with prescribed instructions in the IÉ Rule Book for fog signal protection.
* The consistent booking of pre-established possessions with regards to work, limits and duration has led to possession protection being arranged to coincide with these limits instead of an assessment taking place on a site by site basis;
* The Weekly Circular is currently ineffective for communicating actual works that are to be undertaken on a given day/night due to the current practices of booking and cancelling of possessions;
* Late alterations to possession arrangements are not always communicated to relevant staff and have also in some cases led to inadequate possession protection.

The underlying factors were:
* There is no standardised procedure on the requirements and frequency of possession planning meetings and prescribing staff to be involved;
* The procedure for closing out IÉ recommendations has not been effective with regards to planning and Back-to-Back possessions.

The RAIU has made six new safety recommendations as a result of this investigation:
* IÉ (Infrastructure Manager) should develop a formal possession planning meeting framework that is consistent through the IÉ network;
* IÉ (Infrastructure Manager) should review the application of Back-to-Back possessions and implement actions to eliminate any informal practices that do not comply with IÉ Rule Book;
* IÉ (Infrastructure Manager) should establish a possession planning procedure that ensures protection arrangements are based on the work to be delivered and are verified by a suitable member of staff and formally communicated to all relevant personnel;
* IÉ (Infrastructure Manager) should monitor and review entries into Section “Engineering works requiring absolute possessions – Section T Part III” of the Weekly Circular to ensure that the information published in this document is accurate and credible;
* IÉ (Infrastructure Manager) should review the current process for late changes to possessions to ensure changes to possession arrangements are verified by a suitable member of staff and formally communicated to all relevant personnel;
* IÉ (Infrastructure Manager) should undertake a review of possession incidents that have occurred over the last four years to ensure that reports are completed and recommendations are identified and addressed.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Hungerford

Active investigations - updated 29/04/2014

Reports issued
18/02/2012 - Unauthorised train movements at Clonsilla, Dromod, Boyle and Limerick Junction.
Details: Between 18th and 23rd of February 2012 there were four reported possession occurences on the Iarnrod Eireann network.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission
Available here
Discussion thread here

23/03/2013 - Unauthorised train movement between Dundalk and Newry.
Details: SLW [single-line working] was in place due to a landslide and flooding on the up line between 60.5 and 6.75 MP between Dundalk and Newry. (Northern Ireland side of the border). An empty CAF set with the Pilotman accompanying the train left Dundalk for Newry. Sometime after the empty CAF had cleared the signal section the 07.35hrs passenger service from Connolly to Belfast was signalled into thes section and proceeded to Newry without the Pliotman being present.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission
Available Here

Still Active
31/05/2013 - Level crossing near miss at Balnamor, Northern Ireland.
Details: At about 03:05 hrs the car was approaching the level crossing from the south when its driver became aware that a rail vehicle was passing over the crossing immediately in front of him. The car driver had received no prior warning of the rail vehicle’s presence; the crossing’s road traffic signals were not operating and its half-barriers were in the raised position. At the time of the accident, Balnamore level crossing was within a section of track that had been closed to normal rail traffic to enable engineering activities to take place (known as a ‘possession’). The rail vehicle involved in the accident consisted of a rail-mounted trailer containing weed-spraying equipment and a road-rail vehicle (RRV) which was towing it. Both the trailer and RRV were owned and operated by a contractor working for Northern Ireland Railways.
Agency: RAIB (UK)

10/08/2013 - Wrong-side signalling failure at Shankill
Details: Wrong side failure on DART Doors.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

08/12/2013 - SPAD [Signal passed at Danger] at Millstreet
Details: A303, the 11.50hrs passenger service Tralee to Heuston passed signal TL223 at danger while A304 was approaching the platform at Millstreet Station.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

18/12/2013 - Canopy collapse at Kent Station, Cork
Details: Report of severe damage to canopy roof adjacent to platform 1 Cork (Kent Station) causing collapse on platform and injury to persons.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

31/12/2013 - Landslide at Waterford Station
Details: At 08.00 hours on 31/12/13 the RAIU where called to investigate a landslide at Waterford Railway Station Ireland. There was a large amount of fallen rock on the track nearest the cliff face (near the signalling cabin) with some of the rock in the location of the rockfall remaining unstable.There is steel netting to prevent falling debris and reports of previous rockfalls in the station area.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

12/02/2014 - Collision between train and vehicle at 151.4 MP, Ballina Branch.
Details: Irish Rail advised the RAIU that the A863 09.35hrs train from Ballina to Manulla Junction passenger service collided with a road vehicle (van) at a user worked level crossing XX024. Following the occurrence the van came to rest across a drain in a field adjacent to the railway.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

Jamie2k9

Investigation launched after a car hit the side of a moving train at an unmanned LC near Castlebar.

http://www.thejournal.ie/irish-rail-castlebar-dublin-train-car-crash-1507773-Jun2014/

Another idiot driver as usual.

Hungerford

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Investigation launched after a car hit the side of a moving train at an unmanned LC near Castlebar.

It hasn't been notified officially yet but will be added once it is.

Hungerford

Active investigations - updated 09/06/2014

Reports issued
18/02/2012 - Unauthorised train movements at Clonsilla, Dromod, Boyle and Limerick Junction.
Details: Between 18th and 23rd of February 2012 there were four reported possession occurences on the Iarnrod Eireann network.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission
Available from: http://raiu.ie/download/pdf/trend_investigation_possession_incidents.pdf

23/03/2013 - Unauthorised train movement between Dundalk and Newry.
Details: SLW [single-line working] was in place due to a landslide and flooding on the up line between 60.5 and 6.75 MP between Dundalk and Newry. (Northern Ireland side of the border). An empty CAF set with the Pilotman accompanying the train left Dundalk for Newry. Sometime after the empty CAF had cleared the signal section the 07.35hrs passenger service from Connolly to Belfast was signalled into thes section and proceeded to Newry without the Pliotman being present.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission
Available from: http://raiu.ie/download/pdf/raiur002_operating_irregularity_during_slw_between_dundalk_and_newry_23_march_2013.pdf

31/05/2013 - Level crossing near miss at Balnamor, Northern Ireland.
Details: At about 03:05 hrs the car was approaching the level crossing from the south when its driver became aware that a rail vehicle was passing over the crossing immediately in front of him. The car driver had received no prior warning of the rail vehicle’s presence; the crossing’s road traffic signals were not operating and its half-barriers were in the raised position. At the time of the accident, Balnamore level crossing was within a section of track that had been closed to normal rail traffic to enable engineering activities to take place (known as a ‘possession’). The rail vehicle involved in the accident consisted of a rail-mounted trailer containing weed-spraying equipment and a road-rail vehicle (RRV) which was towing it. Both the trailer and RRV were owned and operated by a contractor working for Northern Ireland Railways.
Agency: RAIB (UK)
Available from: http://raib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/140512_R102014_Balnamore.pdf

Still Active
10/08/2013 - Wrong-side signalling failure at Shankill
Details: Wrong side failure on DART Doors.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

08/12/2013 - SPAD [Signal passed at Danger] at Millstreet
Details: A303, the 11.50hrs passenger service Tralee to Heuston passed signal TL223 at danger while A304 was approaching the platform at Millstreet Station.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

18/12/2013 - Canopy collapse at Kent Station, Cork
Details: Report of severe damage to canopy roof adjacent to platform 1 Cork (Kent Station) causing collapse on platform and injury to persons.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

31/12/2013 - Landslide at Waterford Station
Details: At 08.00 hours on 31/12/13 the RAIU where called to investigate a landslide at Waterford Railway Station Ireland. There was a large amount of fallen rock on the track nearest the cliff face (near the signalling cabin) with some of the rock in the location of the rockfall remaining unstable.There is steel netting to prevent falling debris and reports of previous rockfalls in the station area.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

12/02/2014 - Collision between train and vehicle at 151.4 MP, Ballina Branch.
Details: Irish Rail advised the RAIU that the A863 09.35hrs train from Ballina to Manulla Junction passenger service collided with a road vehicle (van) at a user worked level crossing XX024. Following the occurrence the van came to rest across a drain in a field adjacent to the railway.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

Losty Dublin

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Investigation launched after a car hit the side of a moving train at an unmanned LC near Castlebar.

http://www.thejournal.ie/irish-rail-castlebar-dublin-train-car-crash-1507773-Jun2014/

Another idiot driver as usual.

I was on the Westport train last weekend. There was plenty of accommodation gates that were left open on the line.

Jamie2k9

Losty Dublin wrote: »

I was on the Westport train last weekend. There was plenty of accommodation gates that were left open on the line.

IE issued a specific warning for Mayo and in particular Castebar/Westport area however this wasn't your usual car drivers in front of train but a car hits the side of the train which makes it more random.

Guess it's how you define "side" being right beside the drivers cab or middle of the train.

monument

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

IE issued a specific warning for Mayo and in particular Castebar/Westport area however this wasn't your usual car drivers in front of train but a car hits the side of the train which makes it more random.

Guess it's how you define "side" being right beside the drivers cab or middle of the train.

Irish Rail issued a specific warning for this very crossing, and it was covered by all of the local newspapers.

Losty Dublin wrote: »

I was on the Westport train last weekend. There was plenty of accommodation gates that were left open on the line.

Gates been left open seems to be the norm on the Wesport line and the Ballina branch line.

The crossing was highlighted as the worst for misuse on the network (and I also recall for near misses). Irish Rail have planning permission for the last two years to build a bridge to replace the crossing.

http://www.midwestradio.ie/index.php/news/20928-two-investigations-underway-after-a-car-and-a-train-collided-yesterday-evening-at-knockaphunta-junction-castlebar

dowlingm

It's a shame that large amounts of public money must be spent on either automating or grade separating junctions because people simply refuse to follow basic rules. I think the authority responsible for the road should be obliged to shoulder 50pc of the capital cost of junction works since this inflates the cost of running the rail network.

Bertyellow

hi tony keep an eye out!

monument

dowlingm wrote: »

It's a shame that large amounts of public money must be spent on either automating or grade separating junctions because people simply refuse to follow basic rules. I think the authority responsible for the road should be obliged to shoulder 50pc of the capital cost of junction works since this inflates the cost of running the rail network.

Or over time in the last 10 years a percentage of the cost could have been levied on houses etc being built in the area.

The_Wanderer

monument wrote: »

Gates been left open seems to be the norm on the Wesport line and the Ballina branch line.

While Mayo does *seem* to be a problem it really is a nationwide culture issue with the misuse of these crossings.

Over the last number of years there have been accidents or near misses on nearly all lines.

On two occasions at the same crossing, I have seen car drivers open gates (only after I had closed them when I arrived) and drive across the crossing, failing to close them and kept on driving. One day a person will drive across that level crossing and be struck by a train doing 60mph.

The culture of the road user needs to change and needs to change soon. I say 90% of these crossings give access to local houses and the users of these crossings would be regulars.

I really think the various agencies need to get together for a hard hitting sustained media campaign on the dangers of misusing these crossings.

How about this for starters.....(minus the Jeremy Clarkson petrolhead persona)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue61c6MZNQw

or this....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy-sIfsW7tg

Larry's time has come and gone...

The Wanderer.

Julius Seizure

Possibly a stupid suggestion, but what if the gates had 2 positions: Open on railway, closed to road; and open to road, closed to railway. People would have to close them otherwise they'd block the tracks, and I doubt people are that stupid...

L1011

Julius Seizure wrote: »

Possibly a stupid suggestion, but what if the gates had 2 positions: Open on railway, closed to road; and open to road, closed to railway. People would have to close them otherwise they'd block the tracks, and I doubt people are that stupid...

Oh, they are. Has happened a few times

Hungerford

Active investigations - updated 22/07/2014

Recent reports issued
18/02/2012 - Unauthorised train movements at Clonsilla, Dromod, Boyle and Limerick Junction.
Details: Between 18th and 23rd of February 2012 there were four reported possession occurences on the Iarnrod Eireann network.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

23/03/2013 - Unauthorised train movement between Dundalk and Newry.
Details: SLW [single-line working] was in place due to a landslide and flooding on the up line between 60.5 and 6.75 MP between Dundalk and Newry. (Northern Ireland side of the border). An empty CAF set with the Pilotman accompanying the train left Dundalk for Newry. Sometime after the empty CAF had cleared the signal section the 07.35hrs passenger service from Connolly to Belfast was signalled into thes section and proceeded to Newry without the Pliotman being present.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

31/05/2013 - Level crossing near miss at Balnamor, Northern Ireland.
Details: At about 03:05 hrs the car was approaching the level crossing from the south when its driver became aware that a rail vehicle was passing over the crossing immediately in front of him. The car driver had received no prior warning of the rail vehicle’s presence; the crossing’s road traffic signals were not operating and its half-barriers were in the raised position. At the time of the accident, Balnamore level crossing was within a section of track that had been closed to normal rail traffic to enable engineering activities to take place (known as a ‘possession’). The rail vehicle involved in the accident consisted of a rail-mounted trailer containing weed-spraying equipment and a road-rail vehicle (RRV) which was towing it. Both the trailer and RRV were owned and operated by a contractor working for Northern Ireland Railways.
Agency: RAIB (UK)

Still Active
10/08/2013 - Wrong side failure of DART doors at Salthill DART Station
Details: Wrong side failure on DART Doors.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

08/12/2013 - SPAD [Signal passed at Danger] at Millstreet
Details: A303, the 11.50hrs passenger service Tralee to Heuston passed signal TL223 at danger while A304 was approaching the platform at Millstreet Station.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

18/12/2013 - Canopy collapse at Kent Station, Cork
Details: Report of severe damage to canopy roof adjacent to platform 1 Cork (Kent Station) causing collapse on platform and injury to persons.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

31/12/2013 - Landslide at Waterford Station
Details: At 08.00 hours on 31/12/13 the RAIU where called to investigate a landslide at Waterford Railway Station Ireland. There was a large amount of fallen rock on the track nearest the cliff face (near the signalling cabin) with some of the rock in the location of the rockfall remaining unstable.There is steel netting to prevent falling debris and reports of previous rockfalls in the station area.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

12/02/2014 - Collision between train and vehicle at 151.4 MP, Ballina Branch.
Details: Irish Rail advised the RAIU that the A863 09.35hrs train from Ballina to Manulla Junction passenger service collided with a road vehicle (van) at a user worked level crossing XX024. Following the occurrence the van came to rest across a drain in a field adjacent to the railway.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

08/06/2014 - Collision between a road vehicle and a train at Knockaphunta Level Crossing, Co. Mayo, on the 8th June 2014.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

flyingsnail

Hungerford wrote: »

Active investigations - updated 22/07/2014


08/06/2014 - Collision between a road vehicle and a train at Knockaphunta Level Crossing, Co. Mayo, on the 8th June 2014.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

Interestingly there is already a report about a collision at this level crossing in October 2010

http://www.raiu.ie/download/pdf/accident_mayo.pdf

Victor

.

RAIU Alerts - a new report has been added to our website

The RAIU have published DART Wrongside Door Failure, Salthill & Monkstown Station, 10th August 2013

Click on the link to download the report: DART Wrongside Door Failure, Salthill & Monkstown Station, 10th August 2013


Regards,
The Railway Accident Investigation Unit

Hungerford

Active investigations - update

Recent reports issued
18/02/2012 - Unauthorised train movements at Clonsilla, Dromod, Boyle and Limerick Junction.
Details: Between 18th and 23rd of February 2012 there were four reported possession occurences on the Iarnrod Eireann network.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

23/03/2013 - Unauthorised train movement between Dundalk and Newry.
Details: SLW [single-line working] was in place due to a landslide and flooding on the up line between 60.5 and 6.75 MP between Dundalk and Newry. (Northern Ireland side of the border). An empty CAF set with the Pilotman accompanying the train left Dundalk for Newry. Sometime after the empty CAF had cleared the signal section the 07.35hrs passenger service from Connolly to Belfast was signalled into thes section and proceeded to Newry without the Pliotman being present.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

31/05/2013 - Level crossing near miss at Balnamor, Northern Ireland.
Details: At about 03:05 hrs the car was approaching the level crossing from the south when its driver became aware that a rail vehicle was passing over the crossing immediately in front of him. The car driver had received no prior warning of the rail vehicle’s presence; the crossing’s road traffic signals were not operating and its half-barriers were in the raised position. At the time of the accident, Balnamore level crossing was within a section of track that had been closed to normal rail traffic to enable engineering activities to take place (known as a ‘possession’). The rail vehicle involved in the accident consisted of a rail-mounted trailer containing weed-spraying equipment and a road-rail vehicle (RRV) which was towing it. Both the trailer and RRV were owned and operated by a contractor working for Northern Ireland Railways.
Agency: RAIB (UK)

10/08/2013 - Wrong side failure of DART doors at Salthill DART Station
Details: Wrong side failure on DART Doors.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

18/12/2013 - Canopy collapse at Kent Station, Cork
Details: Report of severe damage to canopy roof adjacent to platform 1 Cork (Kent Station) causing collapse on platform and injury to persons.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

Still Active
08/12/2013 - SPAD [Signal passed at Danger] at Millstreet
Details: A303, the 11.50hrs passenger service Tralee to Heuston passed signal TL223 at danger while A304 was approaching the platform at Millstreet Station.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

31/12/2013 - Landslide at Waterford Station
Details: At 08.00 hours on 31/12/13 the RAIU where called to investigate a landslide at Waterford Railway Station Ireland. There was a large amount of fallen rock on the track nearest the cliff face (near the signalling cabin) with some of the rock in the location of the rockfall remaining unstable.There is steel netting to prevent falling debris and reports of previous rockfalls in the station area.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

12/02/2014 - Collision between train and vehicle at 151.4 MP, Ballina Branch.
Details: Irish Rail advised the RAIU that the A863 09.35hrs train from Ballina to Manulla Junction passenger service collided with a road vehicle (van) at a user worked level crossing XX024. Following the occurrence the van came to rest across a drain in a field adjacent to the railway.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

08/06/2014 - Collision between a road vehicle and a train at Knockaphunta Level Crossing, Co. Mayo, on the 8th June 2014.
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

??/??/2013 - Trend investigation into SPADs on Irish Rail Network
Agency: Railway Safety Commission

Victor

http://www.raiu.ie/

Recent Reports

Structural failure of a platform canopy at Kent Station, Cork, on the 18th December 2013 (2.6Mb)

Hungerford

And a bonus accident investigation which doesn't appear on any of the websites...

19/12/2013 - Failure of protection equipment at Gortavogher level crossing, Limerick - Athenry line
Investigating body: Railway Safety Commission

Sheldons Brain

Not, thankfully, an accident, but Translink driver sacked for going through a red signal while reading his tablet.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/news/train-driver-using-his-tablet-when-he-went-through-red-light-in-belfast-30729401.html

Jamie2k9

Hungerford wrote: »

And a bonus accident investigation which doesn't appear on any of the websites...

19/12/2013 - Failure of protection equipment at Gortavogher level crossing, Limerick - Athenry line
Investigating body: Railway Safety Commission

How could such a failure clear a train to pass, should control not of noticed it on CCTV?

Have passed a LC which automatic barriers failed one or twice in fact the same one.

Hungerford

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

How could such a failure clear a train to pass, should control not of noticed it on CCTV?

I don't know and I'm not certain whether a report will be issued. The RSC have it listed as an active investigation but the RAIU website doesn't.

Jamie2k9

Report into rock fall issued:

http://www.raiu.ie/download/pdf/2014r006_waterford_rockfall.pdf

In Summary:
IE couldn't of predicted it

2 major faults (one where it happened) and 3 possible ones but rock in good condition considering!

Last GEI of rack was 21 months before, 2 visual in March and September 2013

On 28 December inspections were carried out by IE at weather hot spots but not know if the included the rock face

They also have a bit about the land slide North of Thomastown on the same day.

Hungerford

Report published into LC accident at Knockaphunta, Co Mayo, 8th June 2014:

http://www.raiu.ie/download/pdf/20150604145144.pdf

dowlingm

The county council won't put ramps at Knockaphunta because "it's an 80km/h zone". Well then the Minister should dictate that speed limits 100m approaching user worked crossing be 30km/h with an additional restriction further out to get traffic slowing. Maybe with speed limits these roads would be less popular with satnav algorithms

It is irritating that organizational and financial responsibility for signing, managing and closing these crossings seems solely on IE when these incidents are so often caused by drivers just not giving a damn about how to approach them correctly and close the gates after themselves.

Losty Dublin

dowlingm wrote: »

The county council won't put ramps at Knockaphunta because "it's an 80km/h zone". Well then the Minister should dictate that speed limits 100m approaching user worked crossing be 30km/h with an additional restriction further out to get traffic slowing. Maybe with speed limits these roads would be less popular with satnav algorithms

It is irritating that organizational and financial responsibility for signing, managing and closing these crossings seems solely on IE when these incidents are so often caused by drivers just not giving a damn about how to approach them correctly and close the gates after themselves.

If you delve into the report you can see the steps that Irish Rail has taken to address this crossing and the stumbling block that they have encountered. You'd wonder at times why they are bothering to sort it out at all.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Losty Dublin

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Right of ways exist here as it's a public road. If they could have done that then they'd have done it donkeys ago

Jamie2k9

Oddest thing about the accident is he didn't drive in front of the train but into the side, clearly not paying any attention as not seeing the train is no an excuse when it was already passing over the crossing!