2015 Wootton Bassett SPAD incident

2015 Wootton Bassett SPAD incident

Photograph of the locomotive involved.

34067 Tangmere was the locomotive hauling the charter train
Location of Wootton Bassett Jn in Wiltshire.
Date 7 March 2015
Time 17:25 UTC
Location Wooton Bassett Jn, Wiltshire
Coordinates 51°32′07″N 1°54′20″W / 51.53528°N 1.90556°W / 51.53528; -1.90556
Country United Kingdom
Rail line Great Western Main Line
and South Wales Main Line
Operator West Coast Railway Company
First Great Western
Type of incident SPAD
Statistics
Trains Two
Passengers ~750
Injuries None
Damage None
grid reference SU 066 818

On 7 March 2015, a steam-hauled charter train passed a signal at danger (SPAD) on the approach to Wootton Bassett Junction, in the English county of Wiltshire, and subsequently came to a stand across the junction. The train that the signal was protecting had already passed through the junction and no collision occurred.

As a direct result of the incident Network Rail banned the train's operator, West Coast Railway Company (WCRC), from operating trains anywhere on the British railway network. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch opened an investigation into the incident, which it called a "dangerous occurrence". The incident was rated the most serious SPAD in the United Kingdom since December 2010. Following improvements made by WCRC, the ban was lifted. In December 2015, the Office of Rail and Road initiated a prosecution against the driver of the train and WCRC for offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The case is to be heard in February 2016

Incident

Wootton Bassett Jn

Legend
Great Western Main Line
from Bristol Temple Meads

Path of charter train
Signal SN43
Temporary speed restriction
Signal SN45
Stone terminalsiding

South Wales Main Line

from Bristol Parkway

  Path of service train

Path of charter train

Great Western Main Line
to London Paddington

At 17:25 GMT on 7 March 2015, a charter train approached Wootton Bassett Junction, where the Great Western Main Line and South Wales Main Line diverge at Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire. In the approach to signal SN43, an Automatic Warning System (AWS) magnet was present in the trackbed, warning of a temporary speed restriction ahead.[1] The normal line speed was 125 miles per hour (201 km/h), but a temporary restriction of 85 miles per hour (137 km/h) was in place.[2] This did not apply to the train as steam locomotives are restricted to a maximum of 75 miles per hour (121 km/h) on Network Rail (NR) tracks.[3] An automatic brake application was made on the train after it had passed over the magnet because the driver did not acknowledge the warning given within 2.7 seconds. The driver should have allowed the train to come to a halt and contacted the signalman, but he did not. He cancelled the effect of the AWS braking demand after the train's speed had been reduced from 59 miles per hour (95 km/h) to about 51 miles per hour (82 km/h). This action had the effect of rendering the AWS and Train Protection & Warning System (TPWS) unable to apply the brakes. The train passed signal SN43, which was displaying a single yellow (caution) aspect. The driver acknowledged the AWS warning, but did not reduce speed.[1]

Signal SN45 was displaying a red (danger) aspect. By the time the driver realised this, there was insufficient distance available to stop the train.[1] The train eventually came to a stand on the junction some 700 yards (640 m) past the signal. The service train that was being protected by the red signal had already passed through the junction and no collision occurred.[4] As the points had already moved for the passage of the charter train, no damage was done to the trackwork at Wooton Bassett Jn.[3] The line speed approaching the junction was 70 miles per hour (110 km/h) for the service train.[5] Before he was relieved from driving duties, the driver of the charter train claimed that signal SN43 had displayed a green (proceed) aspect. NR investigations showed that a single yellow (caution) aspect was displayed.[5]

Following the incident, a relief driver worked the train forward to Swindon. There a new driver was supplied by West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) who drove the train to Southall, where the train was terminated.[6]

The incident was rated the most serious SPAD since December 2010, rating 25 out of 28 on Network Rail's scale. The scale is a logarithmic scale, with each increase rated twice as serious as the previous. Any SPAD rated at 20 or more leads to a mandatory investigation by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).[7] The December 2010 SPAD was at Uphill Junction, Somerset, on the Bristol to Exeter Line when a passenger train overran a signal by 180 yards (160 m). It was ranked at 26. The month before that incident, a passenger train overran a signal at Tamworth, Staffordshire. It was ranked at 25.[8]

Trains

Charter train

The charter train, reporting number 1Z67,[1] was a steam-hauled passenger train, the 16:35 Cathedrals Express charter from Bristol Temple Meads to Southend East, Essex.[6][9] The train was hauled by Battle of Britain-class locomotive 34067 Tangmere (TOPS number 98 767[6]). Tangmere was hauling thirteen carriages,[1] which were a mixture of Mk 1s and Mk 2s.[4] The train was operated by WCRC.[1]

Service train

The service train was the 15:28 Swansea to London Paddington,[9] reporting number 1L76.[6] It was operated by a First Great Western InterCity 125 "High Speed Train".[4] Between the two trains, there were about 750 passengers.[10]

Investigations

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch opened an investigation into the incident, which it calls a "dangerous occurrence".[1] One aspect of the investigation is whether the seals on the TPWS equipment were already broken before the train departed from Bristol, or were not in place at the time.[3] The Rail Safety and Standards Board opened an investigation into the incident.[11] The ORR opened two investigations; one into WCRC's Safety Management System, with the second a criminal investigation.[12] WCRC also opened an internal investigation into the incident.[13]

Ban

Network Rail

Looking west over Wootton Bassett Junction

Effective midnight on 3 April, NR banned WCRC from operating trains anywhere on the British railway network,[4] stating in the suspension notice that "the operations of WCR are a threat to the safe operation of the railway".[14] Seven areas of deficiencies were identified.[14] WCRC was required to address five of them and show significant progress towards addressing the other two by 15 May. If this could be achieved, the ban would be lifted.[15] During the period that WCRC was banned from the rail network, it was still required to pay Track Access Charges to Network Rail.[14] This was the first time that a Train Operating Company had been banned in the United Kingdom.[11]

The SPAD at Wootton Bassett was the latest in a number of incidents involving WCRC.[16] e.g. a charter train caused a trackside fire on the Leeds to Carnforth line.

Following improvements made by WCRC, the ban was lifted on 8 May.[17] A review of progress made is scheduled to be made after 3 months.[18]

Office of Rail and Road

On 17 April, the ORR took steps to revoke WCRC's Safety Certificate. A process of representation was started, with parties having until 15 May to comment. The ORR's opinion was that WCRC's Safety Management System "is not able to ensure that services are being operated, designed or maintained safely".[19] On 21 May 2015, the ORR issued WCRC an improvement notice under the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006.[20]

Previous Incident

On 12 July 2014, a charter train operated by WCRC, reporting number 1Z57,[21] caused a lineside fire at Bell Busk, North Yorkshire,[16] The train was headed by Hall-class locomotive 5972 Olton Hall, which was hauling a charter train from Carnforth, Lancashire to York. The fire was caused by a defect in the locomotive's ash pan which allowed a piece of burning coal to fall from the locomotive and land alongside the track.[2] Following the incident, WCRC was served with a Suspension Notice, which had the effect that WCRC was banned from operating steam locomotives on that route. It raised the issue with the Access Disputes Committee (ADC), calling Network Rail's actions "partial and malicious". The Suspension Notice was later partly lifted, allowing operation on routes where there was deemed not to be an enhanced fire risk.[21]

An investigation found that the crew of the train had not been advised that there was a raised fire risk at the time. WCRC was found not to have co-operated fully with the investigation. The ADC found that WCRC's Safety Management System was deficient due to confusion over whether or not the crew of the train had been informed of the increased fire risk. WCRC failed to inform Network Rail of its plans to try to prevent future incidents of a similar nature. The ADC found that this was in breach of WCRC's Safety Management System. WCRC chairman David Smith instructed his staff that no further correspondence would be gone into over the matter. The ADC found that this instruction was prejudicial to the safe operation of WCRC's Safety Management System.[16] The instruction was later rescinded. WCRC was also found to be in breach of its Track Access Contract.[21]

Fallout

At the time of the ban, WCRC operated about 90% of all steam charter operations on Britain's railways.[22] DB Schenker was the only other operator licensed to run steam trains on Network Rail tracks.[23] DB Schenker has a policy of only operating air braked trains. Many trains operated by WCRC use vacuum brakes, which means that DB Schenker is unable to operate these charters in place of WCRC.[24]

Steam Railway editor Howard Johnston said that the aftermath of the SPAD represented "possibly the greatest challenge to our movement".[22] ASLEF General Secreary Mick Whelan called for better regulation of crew driving charter trains.[25] Following the ban, eighteen charters were cancelled and eleven were postponed in the period 4 April – 5 May. DB Schenker and GB Railfreight operated three charters each. Companies affected included Belmond, Compass, NENTA Traintours, PMR Railtours, Railway Touring Company, SRPS Railtours, Statesman Rail, Steam Dreams and Vintage Trains.[26][27]

On 6 May, it was reported that The Jacobite season was likely to start late due to the suspension. The trains, which run on the West Highland Line in Scotland, were due to start running on 11 May for the start of the 2015 season.[28] Following the lifting of the ban on 8 May, it was announced that The Jacobite trains would run as scheduled from 11 May.[29]

Abellio ScotRail announced that as a result of the ban, it was reconsidering its decision to give WCRC preferred bidder status for a contract to run steam trains on the Waverley Line, scheduled to reopen between Edinburgh and Tweedbank in September 2015.[30]

In June 2015, it was reported that the ORR was planning to call a "Safety Summit" involving operators on charter trains on NR tracks. It was reported that one proposal to be put forward by the ORR was that all charter trains be limited to a maximum of eleven carriages. This, if enacted, would mean a loss of revenue of up to £5,000 per train for operators.[31][32] Part of the reasoning behind the proposal is that steam locomotives have a lower rate of acceleration than modern traction. As they are limited to 75 miles per hour (121 km/h), they have to be worked harder in order to maintain time. A reduction in train weight would make acceleration rates a little faster and reduce the need to work locomotives so hard.[33]

Despite many requests from Rail, WCRC chairman David Smith refused to comment on the incident.[5] In an interview with Steam Railway, he stated that the company was working to satisfy the seven demands made by Network Rail, and was only cancelling trains about a week in advance, in the hope that WCRC would be able to run trains again in the future.[34] Responding to a comment by Smith that "We are co-operating with the ORR in its enquiries, but from what we can see, all it is doing is keeping a watchful eye on what is going on", Rail editor Nigel Harris expressed astonishment at the "jaw-dropping" comments as criminal charges could lead to imprisonment following a guilty verdict. The reputational damage to WCRC was described as "possibly commercially fatal".[5] Rail contributor Pip Dunn said that WCRC refused to talk to journalists when negative stories concerning the company were being reported, yet was happy to when publicising a charter it was running.[3] On 28 May, WCRC issued a press release apologising for the distress, disappointment and inconvenience caused by the incident and events arising from it. It also thanked the ORR and others for assistance and support given. It stated that it was giving full assistance to the RAIB in respect of its investigation into the SPAD.[35]

As of 29 April 2015, Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate was considering whether or not to prosecute WCRC. The ORR also has powers to prosecute.[5] Although the suspension had been lifted by NR, the ORR could still have revoked WCRC's Safety Certificate at the end of the 28-day consultation period.[25][36] The lifting of the suspension by NR is subject to a review after three months.[37]

Great Britain VIII

Great Britain VIII was a nine-day railtour from London to Cornwall, Scotland and back to London. Various steam locomotives were scheduled to haul the train on each day of the tour, which was to have been entirely steam hauled.[38] Participants paid between £1,995 and £2,895 per person for the nine-day tour.[12] Despite fears that the tour would be cancelled, it was run although with changes to the locomotives hauling it. DB Schenker agreed to operate the first two days of the tour.[39] The tour suffered a number of issues including steam locomotives being replaced by diesels, and a lack of train heating; which resulted in a significant number of passengers leaving the tour early.[12][38][39][40][41]

45231 Sherwood Forester incident and further prohibition

On 2 October 2015, Black 5 45231 Sherwood Forester was working a WCRC special through Doncaster when it was noticed that its TPWS (Train Protection and Warning System) had been isolated by the footplate crew. As a result, in November 2015 a further prohibition notice was issued to WCRC by the ORR, suspending further steam services operated by them. It was reported that locomotives would need to have their TPWS modified to prevent the crew from being able to isolate it, before this suspension could be lifted.[42][43]

Prosecution

On 9 December 2015, the ORR announced that WCRC and the driver of the train were to be prosecuted for offences contrary to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. An initial hearing was scheduled to be heard at Swindon Magistrates Court on 11 January 2016[44] but postponed until 20 January.[45] When the case opened, neither the driver Melvyn Cox nor WCRC entered pleas. The case was committed to Swindon Crown Court, where it will be heard on 19 February; unconditional bail was granted to Cox.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Dangerous occurrence at Wootton Bassett junction, Wiltshire". Rail Accident Investigation Branch. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  2. 1 2 Browne, Stefanie (15 April 2015). "Tension between NR and West Coast Railways escalates". RAIL (Peterborough: Bauer Media) (477): 32–33. ISSN 0953-4563.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Wolmar, Christian (29 April 2015). "Tangmere SPAD highlights the need for extra vigilance". Rail (Peterborough: Bauer Media) (478): 38–39. ISSN 0953-4563.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Brown, Stefanie (2 April 2015). "West Coast Railways track access suspended". RAIL. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Harris, Nigel (29 April 2015). "WCR is a major test for ORR". Rail (Peterborough: Bauer Media) (478): 3. ISSN 0953-4563.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Johns, Cedric (8 April 2015). "SPAD stops Tangmere at Wootton Bassett". Heritage Railway (Horncastle: Mortons Media Ltd) (201): 59. ISSN 1466-3562.
  7. ↑ Streeter, Tony (24 April 2015). "Most serious SPAD since December 2010?". Steam Railway (Peterborough: Bauer) (440): 73. ISSN 0143-7232.
  8. ↑ Browne, Stefanie (29 April 2015). "SPAD rankings". Rail (Peterborough: Bauer Media) (478): 8. ISSN 0953-4563.
  9. 1 2 Browne, Stefanie (15 April 2015). "WCR "a threat to safe operation of the railway" – NR". Rail (Peterborough: Bauer Media) (477): 6–7. ISSN 0953-4563.
  10. 1 2 Davy-Osbourne, Stephen. "'750 lives put at risk' when steam train ran red light at Royal Wootton Bassett". Swindon Advertiser. Newsquest. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  11. 1 2 Quine, Adrian (12 April 2015). "Off the rails. Future in doubt for West Coast steam trains 'run like private toy'.". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  12. 1 2 3 Browne, Stephanie (13 May 2015). "Network Rail refuses to lift West Coast Railways suspension". Rail (Bauer Media) (774): 14–15.
  13. ↑ "(open letter)" (PDF). West Coast Railways. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  14. 1 2 3 "Suspension Notice 1 April 2015" (PDF). Network Rail. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  15. ↑ "Steam train company suspended after running red light in Wiltshire". Independent Television News. 3 April 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  16. 1 2 3 Haigh, Philip (15 April 2015). "Comment". RAIL (Peterborough: Bauer Media) (477): 8. ISSN 0953-4563.
  17. ↑ "STATEMENT – Network Rail revoke West Coast Railways suspension notice". Network Rail. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  18. ↑ McMahon, Paul (7 May 2015). "Revocation of Suspension Notice". Network Rail, republished by Steam Railway via its Facebook page. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  19. ↑ Browne, Stefanie. "ORR takes next step to revoke WCR safety certificate". Rail. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  20. ↑ "Improvement Notice" (PDF). Office of Rail and Road. 21 May 2015.
  21. 1 2 3 "Determination in respect of ADA 20" (PDF). Access Disputes Committee. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  22. 1 2 Johnston, Howard (24 April 2015). "We're all on the losing side". Steam Railway (Peterborough: Bauer) (440): 3. ISSN 0143-7232.
  23. ↑ Wilcox, David (24 April 2015). "'Thomas' owner pulls out of Waterloo '70th' party". Steam Railway (Peterborough: Bauer) (440): 15. ISSN 0143-7232.
  24. ↑ Streeter, Tony (24 April 2015). "What's the damage? It's too early to say.". Steam Railway (Peterborough: Bauer) (440): 72–75. ISSN 0143-7232.
  25. 1 2 Westcott, Richard (11 May 2015). "Minute from disaster: What caused near catastrophe on the railway?". BBC News. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  26. ↑ "West Coast sidelined due to 'safety weaknesses'". Steam Railway (Peterborough: Bauer) (440): 8–10. 24 April 2015. ISSN 0143-7232.
  27. ↑ Browne, Stefanie (13 May 2015). "West Coast suspension casts uncertainty on charter timetable". Rail (Peterborough: Bauer Media) (774): 26–27. ISSN 0953-4563.
  28. ↑ Newton, Alastair (6 May 2015). "Harry Potter line steam train service hits buffers". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). Retrieved 7 May 2015.
  29. ↑ "Harry Potter steam train suspension revoked". The Herald (Glasgow). 8 May 2015.
  30. ↑ Johns, Cedric (7 May 2015). "Abellio may seek new steam operator". Heritage Railway (Horncastle: Mortons Media Ltd) (202): 58. ISSN 1466-3562.
  31. ↑ Johnston, Howard (19 June 2015). "Short trains: a new body blow?". Steam Railway (Peterborough: Bauer) (442): 3. ISSN 0143-7232.
  32. ↑ Streeter, Tony (19 June 2015). "Steam Bosses are called to Safety Summit". Steam Railway (Peterborough: Bauer) (442): 6–7. ISSN 0143-7232.
  33. ↑ "Short sharp shock". Steam Railway (Peterborough: Bauer) (442): 74–75. 19 June 2015. ISSN 0143-7232.
  34. ↑ Smith, David (24 April 2015). "'We want the issues resolved quickly'". Steam Railway (Peterborough: Bauer) (440): 9. ISSN 0143-7232.
  35. ↑ Pitts, David (19 June 2015). "Press Release - West Coast Railways". Steam Railway (Peterborough: Bauer) (442): 75. ISSN 0143-7232.
  36. ↑ Johns, Cedric (7 May 2015). "Main line crisis: how the story unfolded". Heritage Railway (Horncastle: Mortons Media Ltd) (202): 56. ISSN 1466-3562.
  37. ↑ Jones, Robin (4 June 2015). "West Coast back in business – but 'on probation' by ORR". Heritage Railway (Horncastle: Mortons Media Ltd) (203): 6–7. ISSN 1466-3562.
  38. 1 2 "Tours". Heritage Railway (Horncastle: Mortons Media) (201): 66. 8 April 2015. ISSN 1466-3562.
  39. 1 2 Jones, Robin; Johns, Cedric (7 May 2015). "'Great Britain VIII' sets off as West Coast waits". Heritage Railway (Horncastle: Mortons Media) (202): 6. ISSN 1466-3562.
  40. ↑ "'GBVIII' gamble". Steam Railway (Peterborough: Bauer) (441): 70–74. 22 May 2015. ISSN 0143-7232.
  41. ↑ Johns, Cedric (4 June 2015). "'Great Britain IX' doubtful after tour failure". Heritage Railway (Horncastle: Mortons Media) (203): 60–61. ISSN 1466-3562.
  42. ↑ "ORR Issues Prohibition Notice On WCR". Railway Herald. 24 November 2015.
  43. ↑ Stefanie Browne (24 November 2015). "West Coast Railways steam prohibited on main line network". Rail.
  44. ↑ "ORR prosecutes West Coast Railway Company and train driver over signal incident" (Press release). Office for Road and Rail. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  45. ↑ Milner, Chris. "West Coast Railway court date deferred". The Railway Magazine (Horncastle: Mortons Media Group Ltd). Retrieved 11 January 2015.

Further reading

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