Wootton Bassett junction SPAD (07/03/15) - Driver and WCRC to be prosecuted

[TheLastMinute]

Just seen the following Tweet from the BBC Points West (local news programe covering Wiltshire) account:

BBC Points West ‏@bbcpointswest 17m minutes ago
Driver to be prosecuted after steam train overshot red signal at Royal Wootton Bassett leaving it in the path of oncoming high-speed trains.

TLM

 

[scott118]

http://railwayherald.com/uknews/orr-starts-criminal-proceedings-against-wcr

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has commenced criminal proceedings against train operator West Coast Railway Company Limited (WCRC) and one of its drivers. The charges relate to breaches of Health and Safety Law that led to a train passing a signal warning at danger on 7th March 2015.

The prosecutions follow the ORR’s investigation into a steam locomotive operated by WCRC, which passed a signal at danger near Wootton Bassett Junction, Wiltshire. This serious incident resulted in the train coming to a stop 550-metres after the signal, across a busy junction on the Great Western Main Line, directly in the path of high speed trains.

The driver is facing charges under section 7(a) and 8 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA). This relates to his alleged intentional misuse of the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) equipment. ORR’s investigation found that the driver directed a colleague to turn off the safety system, designed to apply an emergency brake if the driver makes an error.

WCRC is separately facing charges under section 3(1) and 2(1) of the HSWA. This is on account of its alleged failure to implement managerial controls, procedures, training and monitoring to prevent staff turning off the TPWS equipment.

ORR has been closely monitoring WCRC’s operation since this incident. ORR has also today launched a review of WCRC’s safety certificate, which is needed to operate its trains on the rail network.

Ian Prosser, HM Chief Inspector of Railways at ORR said: “The safety of staff, volunteers, passengers and members of the public is our absolute priority."

“The incident at Wootton Bassett junction, where a WCRC train passed a signal at danger, was caused by alleged intentional misuse of a key safety system. This could have easily led to a catastrophic train collision."

The first hearing is due to take place at Swindon Magistrates' Court on 11th January 2016

 

[TheLastMinute]

Just found the statement by the Office and Rail and Road. Both WCRC and the driver are going to be prosecuted under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

The ORR also announced that WCRC's Safety Certificate is going to be reviewed after several incidents over the past few months, including the Doncaster incident on 2nd Oct where the ORR found that the TPWS had once again been turned off.

Furthermore, there is going to be an industry review of "many of the standards applicable to heritage operations" lead by the RSSB.

ORR prosecutes West Coast Railway Company and train driver over signal incident
9 December 2015

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has today started criminal proceedings against train operator West Coast Railway Company Limited (WCRC) and one of its drivers. The charges relate to breaches of Health and Safety Law which led to a train passing a signal warning at danger on 7 March 2015.

The prosecutions follow ORR’s investigation into an incident involving a steam locomotive operated by WCRC, which passed a signal at danger near Wootton Bassett junction, Wiltshire. This extremely serious incident resulted in the train coming to a stop 550 metres after the signal, across a busy junction on the Great Western main line, directly in the path of high speed trains.

The train’s driver is facing charges under section 7(a) and 8 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA). This relates to his alleged intentional misuse of the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) equipment. ORR’s investigation found that the driver directed a colleague to turn off this essential safety system, designed to apply an emergency brake if the driver makes an error.

WCRC is separately facing charges under section 3(1) and 2(1) of the HSWA. This is on account of its alleged failure to implement managerial controls, procedures, training and monitoring to prevent staff turning off the TPWS equipment.

ORR has been closely monitoring WCRC’s operation since this incident. ORR has also today launched a review of WCRC’s safety certificate, which is needed to operate its trains on the rail network.

Ian Prosser, HM Chief Inspector of Railways at ORR said:

"The safety of staff, volunteers, passengers and members of the public is our absolute priority.

"Britain’s railways have a good safety record. However, there have been a number of incidents over the past year involving West Coast Railway Company Limited trains.

"The incident at Wootton Bassett junction, where a WCRC train passed a signal at danger, was caused by alleged intentional misuse of a key safety system. This could have easily led to a catastrophic train collision.

"ORR inspectors are working with the rail industry, in particular the mainline heritage sector, to ensure that lessons are learned, and public safety is not put at risk."

The first hearing is due to take place at Swindon Magistrates' Court on 11 January 2016.

Notes to editors

1) The Office of Rail and Road is the independent economic and safety rail regulator and the independent strategic roads monitor for England.

2) The train which passed a signal at danger consisted of steam locomotive number 34067 ‘Tangmere’, and its tender, coupled to 13 coaches.

3) Our initial investigation of the incident found shortfalls in WCRC’s safety management system. On 21 May 2015, ORR inspectors served WCRC with an
Improvement Notice issued to ensure the company improved its management of safety risks.

4) On 25 November ORR temporarily prohibited WCRC from operating steam trains on the mainline rail network. The enforcement action follows an initial investigation into an incident near Doncaster on 2 October 2015, which found staff on board locomotive 45231 had turned off its Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) isolation equipment, designed to apply an emergency brake if the driver makes an error.

5) ORR is working with the industry to ensure the sustainability of heritage operations on the mainline railway. In July 2015 we hosted the first of a series of summits which brought together the rail industry, engineers and safety experts.

6) The industry agreed there is a clear need to review many of the standards applicable to heritage operations. A group, chaired by RSSB will review the standards, which include maintenance and fitness-to-run procedures, competence requirements for maintenance staff, fitness-to-run inspectors and owners’ representatives. In addition to this review, Network Rail is working with train operators to develop train weight and length schedules for those routes deemed suitable for heritage operations.

Follow @railregulation and @highwaysmonitor to keep updated on ORR's work.

TLM

 

[theironroad]

Well probably best to see what happens in the new year when the case goes to court as its been re-hashed on here multiple times regarding wooton Bassett and wcrc in general.

One positive seems to be the industry's willingness to keep steam/heritage going on the mainline, in particular points 5&6 in the editors notes of the quote in the previous post.

 

[Dave1987]

All I can say is that I am extremely pleased they have gone for a prosecution.

 

[ainsworth74]

All I can say is that I am extremely pleased they have gone for a prosecution.

I completely agree.

 

[theageofthetra]

My understanding is the only circumstance in which ASLEF (or RMT presumably) won't provide assistance if a driver fails a drink/drugs medi screen?

 

[bnm]

I think it's worth pointing out that as criminal proceedings are underway, it is probably unwise for speculation about the case against WCRC and the driver.

 

[IslandDweller]

Contempt of Court rules are strict, and punishment for transgression is severe. Now that prosecution is announced, it is safer to lock / remove this thread.

 

[IanXC]

I think it's worth pointing out that as criminal proceedings are underway, it is probably unwise for speculation about the case against WCRC and the driver.

Contempt of Court rules are strict, and punishment for transgression is severe. Now that prosecution is announced, it is safer to lock / remove this thread.

Absolutely agree.

Quick reminder that as per the forum rules, if a post causes you concern, please use the report function.

Once proceedings are complete we will be in a position to reopen the thread - do let us know if you become aware that this is the case.

 

[LeylandLen]

http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/ne...train_ran_red_light_at_Royal_Wootton_Bassett/

THE lives of around 750 train passengers were put in danger when a steam train passed a signal a minute after a high speed train to London had crossed the junction, a judge has heard.

Now both the train company and the driver of the passenger steam train will stand trial in Swindon Crown Court.

Now committed to Crown Court Feb 19th.

 

[theblackwatch]

A post has been added, but this thread remains locked as previously pending the completion of proceedings.

 

[ainsworth74]

A further update from the RIAB has been released and can be found here. Perhaps one of the more interesting parts of the report is included below:

17 At around 17:24 hrs train 1Z67 was approaching signal SN43 at 59 mph (95 km/h), when it passed over the portable AWS magnet associated with the TSR. Around a second after this, the AWS horn sounded and the orange light connected to it began to flash in the locomotive’s cab. Data from the locomotive’s On Train Data Recorder (OTDR) shows that it took the driver 4.2 seconds to acknowledge this warning, by which time the AWS system had already demanded a full brake application. The AWS system is designed to maintain a brake demand for at least 59 seconds and this should have resulted in the train being brought to a stand. In these circumstances, the railway rule book requires the driver to immediately contact the signaller.

18 The driver indicated to the fireman that an AWS brake demand had occurred. His expectation was that the fireman would open the AWS isolating cock in order to by-pass the AWS brake demand and release the brakes. The fireman has stated that he believed that he was following the driver’s instructions when he subsequently crossed the cab and opened the AWS isolating cock. Witness evidence suggests that the AWS isolating cock was not sealed before the fireman opened it.

This thread remains locked whilst court proceedings are ongoing.

 

[Andrew AOCL]

RAIB report of Wootton Bassett is now out. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/report-082016-signal-passed-at-danger-at-wootton-bassett-junction

Seems to be quite a long report so you may want to make yourself a cuppa before you read this one.

As a result of this incident, RAIB has made five recommendations. One recommendation is addressed to RSSB, working in conjunction with steam train operators and Network Rail, and relates to a review of the arrangements intended to assess, prevent and mitigate the risks associated with steam movements.

 

[Flamingo]

RAIB report of Wootton Bassett is now out. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/report-082016-signal-passed-at-danger-at-wootton-bassett-junction

Seems to be quite a long report so you may want to make yourself a cuppa before you read this one.

Thanks for the tip, I did. I then had to clean some of it off the computer screen... hock: