A train to Waterloo derailed after hitting track left on the line. Passengers evacuated safely near Walton-Thames station.
Around 100 passengers got off safely, and the train stopped 500 meters past the impact. The train traveled from Basingstoke and hit the rail near Walton-Thames station around 5:40 AM. The rail piece was 2.5 meters long.
The train and tracks suffered some damage, but no one suffered any injuries during the event. Workers doing prior weekend work left the rail accidentally in a bad spot. Post-work checks missed the rail piece.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch found the missed rail piece and investigated the whole derailment incident. They also found that nobody supervised the rail work properly. The engineer checking the track lacked information; he wasn’t told exactly what work happened.
Planning and work processes had problems that failed to prevent leaving rail on the tracks. Track inspection lacked clear check guidelines. Railway rules need better role definitions for complex work site safety.
The RAIB gave Colas Rail a recommendation to review material collection processes. This review should involve Network Rail too. Network Rail also received a recommendation to review standards for complex sites.
This review should involve the safety board, and they must improve line safety checks after work. Old standards in guidance materials were found, and poor site lighting also posed safety issues.