The Rail Accident Investigation Branch is probing the Monday collision of two passenger trains at Talerddig, Powys, Wales, that killed one person.
At around 7:26 p.m. on Oct. 21, the 6:31 p.m. Transport for Wales passenger service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth collided with the 7:09 p.m. Machynlleth to Shrewsbury passenger service, also operated by Transport for Wales. Initial evidence suggests that the collision, which took place roughly 800 meters west of the passing loop located at Talerddig, Powys, occurred at roughly 15 mph.
One passenger died, and four other people were seriously injured. Eleven more people sustained injuries that required hospital treatment.
RAIB was notified of the accident at 19:45 on the night of the accident and immediately dispatched a team of inspectors to examine the site and collect evidence.
Additional RAIB staff and specialist equipment have arrived at the accident site. The agency continues to work with the British Transport Police, the Office of Rail and Road and the railway companies involved to secure the necessary evidence to support our independent safety investigation.
The probe will include examining the train’s condition and downloading its ‘black box’ data recorder, inspecting the track, analyzing data from railway signaling and radio systems, and interviewing witnesses.
The railway approaching Talerddig from each direction consists of a single track.
A track loop is provided to allow trains to pass each other. These loops have points at each end and allow trains to enter a track that is short in length, lying alongside the single line.
RAIB’s initial inspection of the track on the approach to the point of collision showed relatively low wheel/rail adhesion, suggesting that the train may have entered a wheel slide when braking. This will be the subject of ongoing investigation.
