Report 15/2006: Serious incident near Thirsk station
Cutting of rail from a line open to traffic, near Thirsk station, East Coast Main Line, 11 January 2006.
On Wednesday 11 January 2006 a gang of track workers started to remove a rail on the line just north of Thirsk station. It was then discovered that the rail had been severed on a line that was still open to traffic, and that the worksite had been established outside of an engineering possession.
A range of causal factors and two contributory factors to this incident have been identified.
RAIB has made eight recommendations as a result of its investigation:
- One recommendation to the RSSB to covering forms used during possessions
- Seven recommendations to Network Rail covering staff briefings, procedures and documentation.
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.