South Devon steam railway collision incident: 03/05/2022

[Dave S 56F]

Its been reported on 3rd May on railway advent heritage railway news that Churchward G.W.R. 2.6.2. 4555 small pararie tanky was in a collision with G.W.R. Collett 2.6.2. 5226, Causing quite significant damage to the churchward small G.W.R. small pararie tanky 4555 bending the iron guard and the main chassis frames under the smokebox. Luckily no one was injured work is soon going to be ongoing to get 4555 frames and iron guard repaired no doubt looking at the damage 4555 sustained the boiler will have to be lifted and Cylinders will probably have to come off as well besides all the valve motion rod gubbins.

 

[Titfield]

Thankfully no one was injured however this will probably have repercussions for all heritage railways.

Firstly it heightens concerns that HMRI and the ORR already have as to the safe operation of heritage railways and their adoption, implementation and adherence to Safety Management Systems.

Secondly insurance premiums may rise for all heritage railways as a result of a claim arising from this incident. The number of insurers underwriting this type of risk is small and therefore any claim would probably motivate the insurers to increase premiums because in their view the risk of a claim and their having to pay out has increased as evidenced by this incident occurring.

 

[LowLevel]

Thankfully no one was injured however this will probably have repercussions for all heritage railways.

Firstly it heightens concerns that HMRI and the ORR already have as to the safe operation of heritage railways and their adoption, implementation and adherence to Safety Management Systems.

Secondly insurance premiums may rise for all heritage railways as a result of a claim arising from this incident. The number of insurers underwriting this type of risk is small and therefore any claim would probably motivate the insurers to increase premiums because in their view the risk of a claim and their having to pay out has increased as evidenced by this incident occurring.

It was a shunting accident. I think you're overplaying it. Of course they're regrettable, can have awful consequences and should be avoided with suitable investigations where they occur but they will most likely always happen - whether on the national network or heritage railways.

I guarded a train on the national network very recently which had a knackered coupler following a shunting incident so was non multi. It happens.

The Churchward design of the front frames makes it look pretty dramatic but they're designed, I believe, to be sacrificial.

 

[Bessie]

It was the on-hire loco from the Dartmouth Steam Railway which was damaged in this incident at the SDR. I don't agree these incidents will always happen. Better training is required in regards to braking capabilities on what are now all very old engines.

 

[43096]

It was a shunting accident. I think you're overplaying it. Of course they're regrettable, can have awful consequences and should be avoided with suitable investigations where they occur but they will most likely always happen - whether on the national network or heritage railways.

But is the second such incident on a heritage railway in the last month (Chinnor being the other).

 

[Titfield]

It was a shunting accident. I think you're overplaying it. Of course they're regrettable, can have awful consequences and should be avoided with suitable investigations where they occur but they will most likely always happen - whether on the national network or heritage railways.

I guarded a train on the national network very recently which had a knackered coupler following a shunting incident so was non multi. It happens.

The Churchward design of the front frames makes it look pretty dramatic but they're designed, I believe, to be sacrificial.

Yes incidents do happen but the goal of all involved has to be an incident free railway. The HMRI and ORR have signalled their concern specifically about SMS and Competence Management on Heritage Railways and the dangers of complacency. Presentations by the ORR are now a regular feature of the HRA Conferences.

Insurance for transport operations of all types have escalated considerably over the past few years to the point where some bus and coach operators have had to cease operations as they have been unable to obtain insurance at an affordable premium. A series of small incidents could result in heritage rail operation insurance being increased to the point it is likewise no longer affordable or operations have to be scaled back to reduce the premiums. IIRC there was comment on one of the forums about the cost of mainline insurance for the Swanage Railway Wareham trial service being very considerable.

 

[alexl92]

But is the second such incident on a heritage railway in the last month (Chinnor being the other).

What happened at Chinnor? I don't remember hearing about that.

 

[43096]

What happened at Chinnor? I don't remember hearing about that.

Class 31 ran away while stabled at the diesel gala and hit 43054.

 

[uglymonkey]

Wasn't there a incident on the North Moors as well recently ( or the publishing of the report?)

 

[ainsworth74]

Wasn't there a incident on the North Moors as well recently ( or the publishing of the report?)

Yes collision whilst shunting a locomotive at Grosmont. Happed in September 2021 and a short report was published in the December:

2. Summary of the accident​

At 10:32 hrs, a class 20 diesel-electric locomotive entering platform two at Grosmont station, on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR), collided with the rear of a stationary passenger train. The locomotive had just uncoupled from a train in platform three that had arrived from Whitby and was undertaking a movement to wait behind the train in platform two that was due to depart later to Whitby.

The locomotive entered platform two at about 10 mph (16 km/h) and was intended to stop in the section of unoccupied track behind the Whitby service. However, the locomotive collided with the rear of this train at about 5 mph (8 km/h).

Five minor injuries were reported amongst the 175 passengers on the Whitby service, and all were treated by first aiders at the scene. There was some damage to the passenger train coaches, which were removed from service for several weeks to allow inspection and repair. There was no damage to the locomotive, nor to the track or other infrastructure.

Collision between a locomotive and a passenger train at Grosmont, 21 September 2021

www.gov.uk

 

[alexl92]

Class 31 ran away while stabled at the diesel gala and hit 43054.

Wow. I’ve seen absolutely nothing about that in the railway press, was much damage done?