Hose blockage suspected of causing fatal train crash

An interim report published this morning by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has indicated that a blocked pipe led to the fatal train crash that shocked Montgomeryshire last October.

Our local train line was closed for seven days following the accident at around 7.26pm on October 21, 2024, when the 6.31pm passenger service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth, collided with the 7.09pm Machynlleth to Shrewsbury train at Talerddig Passing Loop, near Caersws.

Both services were operated by Transport for Wales Rail.

While the report is not final, with the investigation ongoing, it also highlights the terror that staff and passengers faced, especially for the drivers as the low speed collision became inevitable.

It states that one of them rushed into the front carriage moments before the collision to warn passengers that his train was out of control. The driver of the other train was not so lucky and suffered serious injuries, and needed to be helped free from the wreckage.

There were 31 people on one of the trains and sadly one man, travelling in the rear carriage of the train, died, and another three people, also in the rear carriage, were classed as seriously injured including the train’s guard who was standing at the time of the collision.

RAIB has been able to confirm that a further 18 people received minor injuries.

The report highlights that one of the trains was travelling at approximately 24mph while the second was travelling at approximately 6mph. The slower train was pushed back 35 metres by the impact.

So, what do we know?

The 20-page report says that at the point where the collision occurred, train 1J25 (Shews-Aber) had travelled around 1,080 metres beyond the spot where it should have stopped to allow the other train to pass.

Investigations have shown that an automatic sanding system that should have activated to help the Shews-Aber train stop had not worked.

Both sand delivery hoses were found to be blocked, preventing sand from being ejected from the hoses. The blocked sand delivery hoses were identified shortly after the accident while the trains were still on site at Talerddig.

After the accident, RAIB removed the blocked sand hoses for analysis. Although the hoses were blocked at the outlet end, there was no evidence of any significant build-up of sand in the pipe behind the blockage.

A detailed examination of one of the blocked hoses has been undertaken. The blockage consisted of a plug of material which was approximately 30mm deep in the outlet end of the sand hose. RAIB considers that the material blocking the hose probably originates from a source external to the sanding system.

Visual examination of the material with an optical microscope revealed organic matter and very small particles of sand-like material. Preliminary DNA testing of the organic material indicates that it comprises leaves and debris originating from ash, acer and wild cherry trees.

The report also states that a prior safety check was not able to be carried out due to the train being parked next to a platform.

The report can be downloaded below and is published on the RAIB website.