Network Rail to be investigated over risk of wheel slipping on tracks after Salisbury train crash

Network Rail and South Western Railway will have it's policies relating to low wheel/rail adhesion investigated after the train crash in Salisbury on Sunday (31st October).

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch have said it's looking at a number of things as they try to work out the sequence of events that led to the collision.

Yesterday (Tuesday 2nd November), the RAIB announced that its initial findings suggested the South Western Railway service was unable to break in time "almost certainly" due to low adhesion between the wheels and track, despite the driver attempting to brake.

It will now look at how this issue occurred by looking at the two company's policies.

The RAIB have outlined the aims of the investigation which will consider:

• the level of wheel/rail adhesion present on the approach to Salisbury Tunnel junction

• the status and performance of the braking, wheel slide protection and sanding systems on the South Western Railway train

• the behaviour of both trains during and following the collision

• South Western Railway’s policies relating to low wheel/rail adhesion

• Network Rail’s policies relating to low wheel/rail adhesion and how they managed the risk of low adhesion in this area

• the processes used to assess and control the risk of overrun at signal SY31

• any relevant underlying factors, including any actions taken in response to previous safety recommendations.

In response, Managing Director of South Western Railway Claire Mann said:

"“We welcome RAIB’s update on the scope and aims of its investigation. It is right that they look into all the possible causes of the lack of adhesion between the train and the track, and we are pleased their early assessment shows the South Western Railway driver reacted correctly to the signals by braking to slow the train down. We believe his actions went some way to preventing a much more serious incident and we wish him a speedy recovery .

“We will continue to work closely with the relevant authorities and our industry partners on all aspects of the investigation.”

The findings will be published at the conclusion of the investigation.

Network Rail have said that cranes may be needed to help remove the trains from Fisherton Tunnel and that they have a "huge task" ahead of them.

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