Speed and lack of rail adhesion blamed on fatal rail accident, report finds

The fatal train collision on the Cambrian Railway at Talerddig near Llanbrynmair was caused by a combination of low wheel-to-rail adhesion, non-functioning sanding equipment and the speed at which a train approached the passing loop, according to a final investigation report published today.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released its findings into the collision between two Transport for Wales passenger trains on the Cambrian Line on 21 October 2024, which claimed the life of one passenger and left several others seriously injured.

The head-on collision happened at around 7.26pm when the 6.31pm Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth service failed to stop within Talerddig passing loop and entered a section of single track occupied by the opposing 7.09pm Machynlleth to Shrewsbury service.

Investigators found that the Aberystwyth-bound train travelled around 1,080 metres beyond its authorised stopping position before colliding with the oncoming train.

A passenger on board the Aberystwyth service suffered fatal injuries. Three other people on the train, including the guard, were seriously injured, while 18 people suffered minor injuries. The driver of the opposing train was also seriously injured and five others received minor injuries.

Neither train derailed, but both suffered extensive damage along with railway infrastructure at Talerddig. The Cambrian Line remained closed for a week following the crash.

According to the report, the train failed to stop because of three factors.

Investigators found wheel-to-rail adhesion on the approach to Talerddig was low, although not unusually poor for the area during autumn conditions.

They also found that neither of the train’s sanding systems, which are designed to improve grip between wheels and rails, dispensed sand. The automatic sanding system is believed to have failed because of electrical faults, while the driver did not activate the manually operated emergency sander.

The report also concluded that the train approached the eastern entrance to Talerddig loop at a speed that required a level of braking performance that could not be maintained in the prevailing conditions.

After passing its intended stopping point, the train entered a steep downhill section where adhesion was found to be exceptionally low. Despite the brakes remaining applied, the train did not continue to slow before the collision.

RAIB said there were no engineered safeguards in place that would have prevented the train entering the occupied section of single track once it had overrun the loop.

At the time of the collision, the Aberystwyth-bound train was travelling at around 24mph, while the opposing service was travelling at approximately 6mph.

The investigation has resulted in nine safety recommendations. These include improvements to the design, maintenance and testing of train sanding equipment, a review of overrun risks on the Cambrian Line, enhancements to train control systems and changes to driver training.

Further recommendations focus on improving railhead treatment to reduce low adhesion conditions, passenger safety within train interiors and ensuring all onboard staff have the skills needed to respond effectively during emergencies.

RAIB Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents Andrew Hall said the collision was the first fatal train-to-train collision in Britain for more than 25 years.

“The accident at Talerddig was a tragedy. One person lost their life and others were seriously injured in the first fatal train-to-train collision in more than 25 years,” he said.

“I sincerely hope the lessons of this accident deliver lasting safety improvements on the Cambrian line, across the ongoing rollout of ERTMS, and on the wider railway network.”

The findings are expected to influence future safety measures on the Cambrian Line, which serves communities across Powys including Caersws, Newtown and Machynlleth.