Report 01/2008: Collision near Burton on Trent
Collision near Burton on Trent station, 1 August 2007.
On 1 August 2007 a stanchion on an EWS freight train struck and damaged a Central Trains passenger train as they passed in opposite directions near Burton on Trent station. There were no injuries, but the collision caused some damage to the passenger train.
The immediate cause of the incident was a fractured stanchion on the freight train, which moved out to a horizontal position as the passenger train passed in the opposite direction. Causal factors were the stanchion box becoming detached, having previously been fractured along three sides, and the fractured stanchion not being detected before the freight train began its journey. There were three contributory factors to the incident.
RAIB has made four recommendations as a result of this incident. These involve:
- the detection and replacement of damaged stanchions
- guidance on the criteria for replacing damaged stanchions
- the use of appropriate stanchions.
Response to recommendations:
- RAIB will periodically update the status of recommendations as reported to us by the relevant safety authority or public body.
- RAIB may add comment, particularly if we have concerns regarding these responses.