|
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released its report
into the derailment of a Class 175 train at Oubeck North near Lancaster
on 4 November 2005.
The full report is available
here
On Friday 4 November 2005 a train travelling on the West Coast Main
Line derailed after running into a landslip at a cutting at Oubeck
North. The trailing wheelset of the leading bogie derailed and the
train travelled a further 1430m before coming to rest in an upright
position. There were no injuries as a result of this derailment but
track damage was sustained.
The immediate cause of the derailment was the train running into material
deposited on the track as a result of the cutting landslip. This failed
due to the volume of water flowing through a concealed field drain
into the slope, which was greater than usual due to the wet period
over the preceding two weeks and excessive rain during the previous
day. The root cause was that the field drain was hidden from view
and therefore the infrastructure owner was unaware of it.
Recommendations
The RAIB has made six recommendations as a result of its investigation.
The primary focus of the recommendations was on modifying existing
drainage arrangements at Oubeck and identifying, prioritising and
managing other cutting slopes prone to risks of earth flow due to
drainage from neighbouring property.
|