Train’s anti-skid system was not working during fatal crash, investigators say

One of the trains following the crash which killed passenger David Tudor Evans and injured a further 15 people
One of the trains following the crash which killed passenger David Tudor Evans and injured a further 15 people - Ian Cooper/PA Wire

A safety system meant to prevent trains from skidding on leaves was not working when two trains collided head-on last month, killing a passenger.

The system on one of the two trains involved, which works like a road gritter by dropping sand on the rails in front of its wheels, was suffering from blocked hoses at the time of the crash, according to investigators from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).

The collision happened in an area known for having dangerous slippery leaves on the line, The Telegraph reported at the time.

David Tudor Evans, 66, from Capel Dewi, Carmarthenshire, died when the two Transport for Wales (TfW) trains crashed into each other head-on near Llanbrynmair, Powys, on Oct 21.

The cause of his death has yet to be confirmed, but it is thought he suffered a heart attack.

Mr Evans’s wife Rachel identified her husband to police officers at the scene of the crash.

Four passengers were seriously injured in the crash, while a further 11 sustained injuries which required hospital treatment.

The accident happened when a train from Shrewsbury to Machynlleth skidded through a passing loop on a single-track stretch of line.

The scene of the crash
The train from Shrewsbury to Machynlleth skidded and missed the loop which would have allowed it to pass the oncoming train safely - Ian Cooper/PA Wire

This left it sliding 900 metres “down a descending gradient” head-on into an oncoming service that was supposed to safely pass it at the Talerddig loop, investigators said on Tuesday.

The head-on crash happened at up to 30mph, but experts are still sifting through “conflicting evidence relating to the speed of the trains at the point of collision”, the RAIB said.

The driver of the skidding train applied the brakes 40 seconds before reaching the Talerddig loop, increasing this to full emergency braking when he realised the train was not going to stop in the correct place. Emergency brakes remained applied until the collision.

Network Rail and TfW, which operates the two Class 158 trains involved in the accident, said in a joint statement that the crash was a “low-speed collision”. Both trains remained on the tracks.

Experts explained that an automatic sand dispenser system fitted to the skidding train was blocked when the crash happened.

Leaves cause ‘black ice’ effect

The RAIB investigators said: “An inspection of the automatic sanding system fitted to train 1J25 showed that the sanding hoses on the leading vehicle of this train (which would have been active at the time of the accident) were blocked and apparently unable to discharge sand.”

Sand is used to counteract the effects of leaves on the line, which are pulped by trains into a slippery mulch that coats the rails, causing an effect similar to black ice on roads.

Investigators are looking into both TfW and Network Rail’s policies on low rail adhesion and how the risks were managed.

Network Rail previously said a railhead treatment train, which cleans fallen leaves off the line, had passed Talerddig the night before the accident. Such trains typically run every few days during leaf fall season.

TfW and Network Rail said in a joint statement they have “fully co-operated” with the RAIB, British Transport Police and the Office of Rail and Road.

‘Safety our main priority’

They said: “As investigations are currently still ongoing, we’ll continue to work together with investigators to understand what happened and await the full conclusion and recommendations of the investigation.

“Safety is always our main priority for our customers and colleagues, and we have carried out enhanced checks to the trains and the railway line to enable the reopening of the Cambrian line on Oct 28.

“At this early stage of the investigation, it’s fundamental that we await the findings of the full report and show sensitivity towards our customers, colleagues, the local community and the families of those affected by the incident.”

Jonah Evans, 25, a passenger on one of the trains, said the driver warned travellers what was about to happen.

He told WalesOnline after the accident: “The driver ran in and sat on a chair and said, ‘Brace yourselves, we’re about to hit a train.’

“Someone lost their teeth, cracked ribs. Because the driver told us it was happening, we could kind of get ready.”