2010 Pretoria train accident

The Pretoria train accident occurred on 21 April 2010 when a train of carriages ran away for 12 miles (19 km) from Centurion Station and derailed at Pretoria. Three people were killed and seven were seriously injured.

2010 Pretoria train accident
Details
Date21 April 2010
LocationPretoria
CountrySouth Africa
OperatorRovos Rail
Incident typeRunaway and derailment
Statistics
Trains1
Passengers59 + 3 crew
Deaths3
Injuries7
DamageR15,000,000

History

On 21 April 2010, a luxury tourist train operated by Rovos Rail was at Centurion Station where the electric locomotive was being changed for a Class 25NC 4-8-4 steam locomotive. During the changeover, the carriages ran away out of control for 12 miles (19 km) until they derailed at Pretoria.[1] The accident occurred outside the Blue Train depot.[2] There were 59 passengers and thirty train staff on board the carriages.[3] Three of the train crew were killed, and about R15,000,000 (£1,338,000) of damage was done to the carriages.[1]

Investigation

The South African authorities opened an investigation into the accident. A board of enquiry was set up. Metrorail and the South African Railway Safety Regulator were represented on the board of enquiry.[1] An initial assessment of the cause of the accident was that the uncoupled carriages had insufficient braking power to prevent the runaway.[4] It is reported that the handbrakes on the carriages had not been applied. As the train was not on level track, scotches (wedges) were also required to be placed under the wheels of the carriages.[5]

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References
  1. Jones, Robin (2010). "Three dead in steam trip crash". Heritage Railway. Mortons Media Group Ltd (137, 13 May – 9 June): 6.
  2. "Rovos Rail train derails in South Africa: Two dead". BBC News Online. 21 April 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
  3. "Britons unhurt as vintage safari train derails in South Africa". The Independent. 21 April 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  4. "South Africa probe into luxury Rovos Rail train crash". BBC News Online. 22 April 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  5. Hosken, Graeme (and Sapa) (24 April 2010). "Rovos, Transnet get 'improvement directive'". IOL. Retrieved 16 May 2010.

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