Princes St Derailment - RAIB Report

[michael769]

The RAIB have released their report into lat years derailment in Princes St Gardens in Edinburgh.

http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/120830_R182012_Princes_St_Gardens.pdf

Three days prior to the accident the left-hand switch rail had been identified as having
the potential to cause derailment. Although it was worn beyond repair by grinding
in accordance with the company standard, a grinding repair was attempted. The
subsequent inspection process did not find the switch to be unsafe and it remained in
service.

The required prior scoping of the repair, which might have identified the unsuitability of
the switch rail for repair by grinding, was not carried out.

The local practice of maintaining points to safety limits and the lack of guidance on
when a switch rail is unrepairable by grinding were underlying factors in this accident.

Not happy reading for NR.