The United Kingdom’s Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released an interim report on the Oct. 21, 2024, collision between two passenger trains near Talerddig, Powys, in Wales.
The collision involved two Transport for Wales Rail Limited (TfWRL) services and resulted in one fatality and four serious injuries.
At approximately 7:26 p.m., the westbound train 1J25 from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth collided with the eastbound train 1S71 from Machynlleth to Shrewsbury. The collision occurred on Network Rail’s Cambrian line, just west of the Talerddig passing loop. Both trains were two-car class 158 diesel multiple units. They did not derail but sustained significant damage to their leading vehicles.
Train 1J25 was supposed to stop in the Talerddig loop to allow train 1S71 to pass. However, train 1J25 could not stop within the loop despite braking and continued onto the single line, colliding with train 1S71.
At the time of the collision, train 1J25 was traveling at 39 km/h (24 mph), while train 1S71 was moving at 11 km/h (6 mph).
The RAIB’s investigation revealed that train 1J25 encountered low wheel-rail adhesion, significantly reducing its braking performance. The train’s sanding system, designed to improve adhesion, was found to be defective.
The automatic sanding system on train 1J25 had multiple faults, including blocked sand delivery hoses and electrical issues, which prevented it from functioning correctly.
The collision followed Storm Ashley, which brought heavy rain to the area, creating damp railhead conditions. Network Rail’s adhesion index had forecasted “Moderate to Poor” adhesion for the Talerddig area on the day of the accident.
A rail inspection at the site revealed visible contamination, contributing to the low adhesion.
The collision resulted in the death of one passenger and serious injuries to three others on train 1J25, including the train’s guard. The driver of train 1S71 was also seriously injured.
The RAIB’s inspection found that the structural integrity of the passenger compartments was maintained. However, some internal panels and doors were damaged.
The RAIB investigation remains ongoing. The final report will provide comprehensive findings and recommendations to prevent similar accidents in the future. TfWRL has issued National Incident Reports highlighting the risks of blocked sander hoses and electrical defects in the sanding systems.
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