08.04.08
High winds cause freight incidents
The RAIB is carrying out an investigation into two separate incidents involving freight containers being blown off freight trains, at Cheddington in Bedfordshire and at Hardendale in Cumbria. Both incidents occurred early on 1 March 2008.
The first incident, at Cheddington, on the down fast line of the West Coast Main Line between Hemel Hempstead and Leighton Buzzard, occurred at approximately 02:30 hrs. A freight train consisting of a Class 56 locomotive hauling 20 container flat wagons lost two empty containers while travelling at approximately 70 mph. The detached containers blocked the running lines and caused damage to overhead line equipment and to the track. The line was closed until the evening of 1 March.
The second incident occurred at approximately 03:15 hrs adjacent to Hardendale Quarry, between Tebay and Penrith, on the down line of the WCML. A freight train, consisting of two Class 86 locomotives hauling 20 container flat wagons, lost five empty containers from the rearmost four wagons of the train while travelling at approximately 70 mph. The detached containers in this case also blocked running lines and again caused damage to the OLE and track. The line was closed until the early hours of 3 March.
Both incidents took place at a time of high cross winds, and in both cases there were no injuries.
The ongoing investigation will focus on, but not be limited to, the aerodynamics effects of the cross winds on the containers, the design of the wagon, how containers are retained on wagons and any operational restrictions on container wagons in high winds.
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