Jimbob52
Member
The month of December brings the anniversary of a number of major railway accidents, notably Lewisham (4.12.57), Clapham (12.12.88) and Castlecary (10.12.37) plus equally tragic events at Elliot Junction, Hawes Junction and Ealing.
The official reports into these events are highly detailed and, in the main, the Inspecting Officer was able to identify the cause with little room for doubt.
The report on a further accident, that in the Severn Tunnel on 7th December 1991, is different. It concludes that the cause was an ‘unaccountable’ error either on the part of the driver; or by the S&T technicians working in the relay room to fix a signalling fault.
These alternative explanations are radically different. Having read the report several times, I find it difficult to form a view as to which explanation is the more likely.
The report concentrates on the errors which came to light in the circumstances leading to the accident (a failure of remote control equipment) and on the emergency response. The actual cause of the rear end collision, however, remains undetermined.
The official reports into these events are highly detailed and, in the main, the Inspecting Officer was able to identify the cause with little room for doubt.
The report on a further accident, that in the Severn Tunnel on 7th December 1991, is different. It concludes that the cause was an ‘unaccountable’ error either on the part of the driver; or by the S&T technicians working in the relay room to fix a signalling fault.
These alternative explanations are radically different. Having read the report several times, I find it difficult to form a view as to which explanation is the more likely.
The report concentrates on the errors which came to light in the circumstances leading to the accident (a failure of remote control equipment) and on the emergency response. The actual cause of the rear end collision, however, remains undetermined.