What really happened in Brétigny-sur-Orge?
Last Friday an unexpected and devastating train crash happened in Brétigny-sur-Orge, near Paris in France.
The train’s third and fourth carriages derailed first and the other coaches followed, damaging the platform and station and injuring a number of passengers, 6 of whom died as a result of the crash.
Initially it wasn’t clear as to whether earlier track or train problems were connected with the crash. Guillaume Pepy, president of SNCF said at the time, “We can’t confirm anything without proof. I’ll speak when it’s clear. I will be completely transparent but right now everything must be done to help the victims.”
Two days after the train crash, President Hollande has mentioned that although it may be too soon to judge, France’s conventional railway lines had been neglected in favour of the newer high-speed network. “We must do much more to maintain conventional lines.”
Equipment failure has been highlighted as the probable cause with preliminary findings showing a metal plate or connector, bolted on the side of rails to keep them aligned, appeared to have become loose and moved inadvertently to the middle of a switch near the station, causing the derailment.
Is it likely that this was the cause of the derailment? Should future investment be more equally distributed to maintain safety on older lines as well as the development of new lines? What do you think? Let me know.HERE..
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Network Rail
Successful completion of West Coast Main Line improvement work
Major improvement work on the railway between Warrington and Preston was successfully completed this morning after nine consecutive days of intensive engineering. Four life-expired junctions were replaced and three miles of track re-laid to help increase line speeds and make journeys more reliable and punctual for passengers.
During one of the hottest weeks of the year, a team of 720 men and women were on site 24 hours a day to deliver this significant investment. Over 900 barrels of water were consumed and 3,000 bottles of sun cream used as track temperatures rose as high as 46C.
Train services resumed this morning and were running at a speed of 80mph across one of the new junctions. This is the first time Network Rail has been able to reopen lines at this speed following major engineering work. Usually, 50mph speed restrictions are put in place to test the track but the longer closure meant all necessary checks could take place in advance, helping minimise disruption to passengers.
Martin Frobisher, area director for Network Rail, said: "I was in the cab of the first test train over the line this morning and I’m pleased that under some tough weather conditions we’ve been able to deliver on time, this vital improvement which will make journeys on the west coast main line more reliable and punctual. I would like to thank passengers for their support and cooperation during the closure, as well as our industry partners who we worked very closely with to prepare for and deliver this critical project."
Usually, Network Rail would have carried out work of this kind over a number of bank holiday weekends requiring train services to be replaced repeatedly by alternative transport. By carrying out the work in a nine-day continuous spell this summer, engineers were able to complete the replacement of four junctions around 16 months earlier to avoid disrupting rail travel plans for many weekends and nine bank holidays over the next two years.
Usually, Network Rail would have carried out work of this kind over a number of bank holiday weekends requiring train services to be replaced repeatedly by alternative transport. By carrying out the work in a nine-day continuous spell this summer, engineers were able to complete the replacement of four junctions around 16 months earlier to avoid disrupting rail travel plans for many weekends and nine bank holidays over the next two years.
Phil Bearpark, Production Director for Virgin Trains added: “I congratulate the engineering team at Network Rail for completing this very challenging piece of work on time. A key section of the West Coast Main Line will now immediately provide better reliability for our customers and in the longer term is another stepping stone in our quest for faster journey times for Anglo Scottish services”
Lee Wasnidge, Area Director for Northern, adds: “Thanks to this essential improvement project, we’ll be able to provide a better, more reliable service for our customers on a revitalised piece of railway. Considering the extremely warm weather and the busy summer holiday period, I’d really like to thank our customers for their patience during the disruption as well as our area teams on the ground for their commitment and diligence to keeping everyone on the move.”Notes:
- The project by numbers:
- 3 miles of track to renew
- 4 main line junctions upgraded
- 18 miles of West Coast Main Line
- 6,600 new railway sleepers laid
- 21,500 tonnes of ballast
- Materials delivered by 61 trains in 865 wagons
- Network Rail worked with the train operators to arrange a replacement rail and road travel service and our joint aim was to enable passengers to travel by train as far as possible.
- The four upgraded junctions include – Golbourne Junction, Bamfurlong, Wigan Springs Branch and Balshaw Lane. The reliability of the rail infrastructure has also been improved and it will be easier to maintain.
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