Train Crash in Wales

[Ashy]

I've just heard that a passenger was killed and four others seriously injured in a collision between two passenger trains in Wales. I find this deeply saddening in the 21st century.

[klondike]

It's sad for anybody affected but I don't think it is realistic to expect anything to always work. I've not looked it up but i'd say that if this was caused by one derailing and the other collided with it because of that it is a lot more understandable than how there could be two trains on a setion of track either going the same direction or in opposite directions.

The language will probably still have the term train wreck long after anybody has heard of one happening in their lifetime. There are still parts of the world where such things are still common though even now.

[Diasi]

It is sad but it's has to be expected for the odd train here & there to jump a red light when train drivers are only paid £70,000 a year.

[Mups]

Just found this:


"The railway approaching Talerddig from each direction consists of a single track. 
To allow trains to pass each other a track loop is provided. 
These loops have points at each end and allow trains to enter a short length of track which lies alongside the single line.
 RAIB's initial inspection of the track on approach to the point of collision found evidence that wheel/rail adhesion was relatively low suggesting that the train may have entered into wheel slide when braking. This will be an area of ongoing investigation. Our investigation is in its very early stages and an additional update will be available in the coming days once RAIB has gathered and analysed further evidence.

[Diasi]

Just found this:


"The railway approaching Talerddig from each direction consists of a single track.
To allow trains to pass each other a track loop is provided.
These loops have points at each end and allow trains to enter a short length of track which lies alongside the single line.
 RAIB's initial inspection of the track on approach to the point of collision found evidence that wheel/rail adhesion was relatively low suggesting that the train may have entered into wheel slide when braking. This will be an area of ongoing investigation. Our investigation is in its very early stages and an additional update will be available in the coming days once RAIB has gathered and analysed further evidence.

Yes, that's what I've read & the stretch of track is known to be regularly affected by leaves on the line at this time of the year, which means that the driver didn't anticipate the potential problem & didn't increase the required distance for braking.

Increased stopping distances in the wet is one of the favourite questions that driving examiners ask car drivers. 

[JBR]

It is sad but it's has to be expected for the odd train here & there to jump a red light when train drivers are only paid £70,000 a year.

No doubt, possibly when they are nodding off as they have so little to do other than to sit with one hand on a 'dead man's handle'.
I think the use of computer-controlled trains, like the East London Docklands Railway, would be preferable to the existing situation nationwide...
and have the added benefit of preventing one particularly strong trade union lining their pockets!

[Mups]

How frightening it must have been to both be on the same single track, and seeing the other train coming at you, knowing you could not possibly get out of the way.

I believe it said on the news that an announcement over the speakers warned passengers they were about to crash.

[Diasi]

How frightening it must have been to both be on the same single track, and seeing the other train coming at you, knowing you could not possibly get out of the way.

I believe it said on the news that an announcement over the speakers warned passengers they were about to crash.

Yes, that's correct, as confirmed by one of the passengers who spoke shortly after the crash.

[Ashy]

'd say that if this was caused by one derailing and the other collided with it because of that it is a lot more understandable than how there could be two trains on a setion of track either going the same direction or ....

I'm sorry to say that this occurred on a single line where one train failed to stop (because its brakes were not effective) at a passing loop, and it continued, so as to foul the single line where the other train was approaching. 

This problem was imported c1966 when trains changed from clasp brakes to disc brakes. The underlying leaves-on-the-line risk has not been overcome. Most trains carry "one shot" sand, whether it worked or was effective etc. will of course be revealed by the RAIB investigation.

The collision was therefore head-on, at low speed (c15mph) and there was no derailment although the impact would have been extremely violent. A similar occurrence took place at Salisbury in 2021 between two trains in the same direction.