Train crash - Granges-pres-Marnand - Switzerland

[Marklund]

Sky News reporting a head-on crash between two passenger trains

More than 40 passengers have been injured after two trains collided head-on just outside a station in western Switzerland.

Emergency services were on the scene of the crash at Granges-pres-Marnand in the Vaud canton, around 31 miles southwest of the capital, Bern.

According to local media, four of the 44 people injured were seriously hurt.

Link

 

[warriorofrovac]

Oh dear. Everytime I open the news recently, there is something about a train crash.

 

[YorkshireBear]

At least no one has died (touch wood).

You know what they say, it doesn't rain, it pours. (relevant with the weather at the moment also!)

 

[WatcherZero]

Heard one of the drivers is missing, possibly deceased in the wreckage, 5 seriously hurt.

 

[Antman]

My initial thought was, oh God not another one.

Reports of one driver trapped in the wreckage.

Seems the head on crash was at least at low speed.

 

[WatcherZero]

Drivers body removed and an autopsy ordered, for a low speed crash only 100m from a station it looks worse than a Pacer collision.

Local train leaving station for Lausanne while regional train was arriving from Lausanne, they should have passed each other in the station, photos look like the collision occured on the crossover.

 

[68000]

Massive failure on the signalling system or one of the drivers. Those units do not look very crash worthy for such a low speed collison. We are constantly being told that the railways in Europe are better than in Britain and yet this

 

[33056]

Doesn't look like a low speed collision, IIRC it was between an all stations S21 service and one of the two peak hour RE trains from Lausanne to Payerne which do not stop at Granges-Marnand. Line 251 timetable

 

[edwin_m]

Doesn't look like a low speed collision, IIRC it was between an all stations S21 service and one of the two peak hour RE trains from Lausanne to Payerne which do not stop at Granges-Marnand. Line 251 timetable

Looking at the damage, that would certainly make more sense.

 

[starrymarkb]

I'd have to agree that it's not a low speed collision, the Driving motor of the refurbished unit* has completely demolished the front half of the other unit's driving trailer.


*The black and white one, the refurb includes air conditioning and replacement of the centre cars (which were recycled hauled stock) with new Low Floor trailers

 

[Gordon]

Single track head on collision on the Palézieux - Payerne 'Ligne de la Broye'

As I had immediately suspected on seeing the time of this accident, the problem
appears to have been caused because one unit was forming one of the commuter
extras that are outside the standard service pattern on this line.

Normally the service is hourly stopping trains in each direction. However there
are two rush hour extra REs from Lausanne (17.00 and 18.00), [and their
balancing morning workings from Payerne].

The fact that these are Monday to Friday commuter extras is the clue to the
problem. They are limited stop, and the crossing of southbound regular stopper
with these two REs at Granges station only happens a couple of times a day – at
17.42 and 18.42 – Monday to Friday only.

It has to be assumed that this was a factor in the accident.

I am reliably informed that the northbound RE is formed in summer only by one of
the dual voltage NPZs otherwise used on the 'frontalier' services into France
from Neuchatel.

Sadly the driver of the northbound limited stop train is the fatality. He was a Frenchman living in Payerne.

 

[edwin_m]

Does anyone know what form of signalling and train protection is in use on that line? With full protection, assuming it works as advertised, the trains concerned would be brought to a stand if someone "forgets" that an extra train is on the line. That may not happen if the operating method is less sophisticated.

 

[Gordon]

.

The station is apparently equipped with a 'less sophisticated' system, but it seems that there is an issue at this station with the positioning of some equipment, which if altered might have prevented the incident. Unfortunately this line is not the mainest of Swiss lines so presumably is lower down the priority list for expensive signalling solutions.

 

[S N Barnes]

Could it have some link with the collision taking place at what looks like a single lead version of a ladder crossing. the trains may not have been in head on course by the signalling but would have had the risk management failure of Ladbroke Grove, Bellgrove, Newton et seq of having no positive measure to prevent a collision if a driver or train fails to stop and a movement is signalled for an approaching train which diverts at the set of points directly ahead. The train overruns (SPAD) and the overlap distance/deflecting route is so inadequate, that the collision occurs.

Bring back the trap point?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
In the cab it can be a frightening leap of faith in a place like Princes Street Gardens, brought to a stand facing W, X, Y and Z, and heading straight for you on the same through route is another train accelerating away from Waverley, and you just hope the the points are set (and proved) to send that train on to the tracks either side of you, or less often for a Down train but the same effect.