Photo: PA News
Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released its interim report following the collision between passenger trains at Salisbury Tunnel Junction, 31 October 2021.
Heavy rain meant line had been covered in foliage for 32 hours before accident causing the train to skid on track coated by wet leaves. The incident left the driver with severe injuries and caused the hospitalisation of 14 people.
The crash also caused major damage to the rail infrastructure around Salisbury. Rail services did not resume for 16 days while repairs were made.
Train skidded on track coated by wet leaves:
The report confirms the wheels of a South Western Railway train skidded on the tracks approaching a tunnel near Salisbury station, in Wiltshire, and hit the side of a Great Western Railway (GWR) service.
However, the train failed to sufficiently slow due to the tracks being coated in wet leaves. It continued to skid even when the driver applied the full brake, after realising it was likely to run the light.
The interim report revealed that a railhead treatment train (RHTT) was due to pass over the track, but planned engineering work between Southampton and Brockenhurst meant its deployment was delayed. The last time an RHTT treated the junction was about 32 hours before the crash, which happened at 18:43 GMT on Sunday 31 October.
Operated by Network Rail, RHTTs are fitted with high-pressure water pumps to remove crushed leaf film that causes train wheels to slip. They can also apply a sand-based gel to help break up any remaining leaf film and assist with braking.
The last RHTT to pass through the crash site used water jets but did not apply gel, the RAIB said.
What to expect from the full investigation:
The full investigation will consider several factors, including Network Rail’s policies relating to the prevention of wheels slipping on rails, and the regulation of trains at high-risk locations.
RAIB is responsible for conducting independent investigations into railway accidents in the UK. The purpose of an RAIB investigation is to improve the safety of railways and to prevent further accidents from occurring
