Report published into Tipperary derailment

dmeehan · 07-10-2003 10:45am #1

Train driver escapes as bridge collapses
07/10/2003 - 10:35:38 am

A train driver escaped injury in Cahir, County Tipperary this morning when the bridge over the river Suir collapsed as he was crossing it.

The engine and several of its cement wagons had passed over the bridge when it gave way suddenly, spilling the last number of wagons into the river.

jd · 07-10-2003 4:05pm

..

may give IR a good excuse to close the line permanently

It looks like it was the old timber decking that collapsed-main (stone) supports look ok.
Photo copyright of Hassard Stacpoole of IRN

parsi · 07-10-2003 4:15pm

This isn´t the first time that a train crashed through this bridge.. wasn´t there a beet special which derailed in the early 50s around this time too ?

Victor · 07-10-2003 4:41pm

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/breaking/1625537?view=Eircomnet

Investigation begins into Cahir train derailment
From:ireland.com
Tuesday, 7th October, 2003

Iarnrod Éireann has begun an investigation into the derailment of a freight train in Co Tipperary this morning.

The train, comprising 22 wagons and two locomotives, was en route to Waterford from Limerick Junction when it derailed near Cahir at around 6.00 a.m.

Thirteen of the wagons came off the track at the Cahir Viaduct, which was badly damaged in the incident. A number of the wagons are now partially submerged in the River Suir.

There were no injuries reported.

Gardaí and officers from the Environmental Protection Agency are inspecting the river for possible pollution risks from the train's cargo of cement.

The Limerick to Rosslare line carries on average nine return train trips each day, mostly freight trains carrying, cement, beet and container traffic.

Fine Gael's transport spokesman, Mr Denis Naughten TD, said he would be demanding answers from the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, in the Dáil today. He blamed the accident on the fact "that this line and rail freight has been under-resourced in the past".

He said the accident threatens the future of the line and called on Mr Brennan to make a commitment to ensuring the future of the service.

The Green Party transport spokesman, Mr Eamon Ryan TD, said the Government and Iarnród Éireann have deliberately run down the Waterford-Limerick over the past 20 years.

"The real question for the Government is whether they will be willing to reinstate the viaduct and carry out the essential repairs to make sure the line is safe and secure or whether they will use the accident as an opportunity to close another vital link in our contracting rail network?" said Mr Ryan.

Victor · 07-10-2003 5:21pm

http://www.rte.ie/news/2003/1007/train.html

Freight train derailed near Cahir
October 7, 2003

(17:02) An investigation has begun following the derailment of a freight train near Cahir in Co Tipperary this morning.

The train, which was carrying cement, was en route to Waterford from Limerick Junction when the derailment occurred at around 6am.

The train consisted of two locomotives and 22 bulk cement wagons. Two locomotives and nine wagons remained on the track, however, 13 wagons derailed at the viaduct.

The centre section of the rail bridge known as the Cahir viaduct has completely collapsed.

At least five or six wagons are lying on their sides in the River Suir.

Gardaí are preserving the scene and members of the Environmental Protection Agency are present.

There are fears that pollution of the river may occur because of the cement.

Iarnród Éireann says the driver was not injured and the line will be closed for some time because of structural damage.

Bus transfers will be arranged on the route for passenger services. Alternative arrangements are also being put in place for freight customers.

Victor · 07-10-2003 5:49pm

It kinda changes the economics of sending cement from Mungret (Limerick) to Waterford / Wexford.

jd · 07-10-2003 5:54pm

Originally posted by Victor
It kinda changes the economics of sending cement from Mungret (Limerick) to Waterford / Wexford.

Heh-you must have plenty of time on your hands

BTW I think they would probably run those trains down the Nenagh branch line...

Victor · 07-10-2003 6:06pm

Originally posted by jd
Heh-you must have plenty of time on your hands
BTW I think they would probably run those trains down the Nenagh branch line...

Well whats left of them

mike65 · 07-10-2003 6:38pm

Thats it for the Rosslare-Waterford-Limerick line as far as passengers are concerned. And if any sort of alternative for freight is avialible then the line will be ripped up....after a while. CIE can just thank thier
lucky stars it was a heavy weight train that found the weaknes in that bridge out.

Mike.

John R · 07-10-2003 10:45pm

Originally posted by jd
Heh-you must have plenty of time on your hands
BTW I think they would probably run those trains down the Nenagh branch line...

It would turn into concrete in the time it takes to go down that branch these days.

jd · 08-10-2003 2:37am

Originally posted by John R
It would turn into concrete in the time it takes to go down that branch these days.

True,But passengers in following trains to cork etc may need coffins on arrival if diversions are via Thurles and Limerick Junction..

jd · 08-10-2003 2:46am

Originally posted by Victor
It kinda changes the economics of sending cement from Mungret (Limerick) to Waterford / Wexford.

One thing I forgot to mention is that the beet run has started in South Wexford.
Whats going to happen now is that the trains will have to get to mallow, even though they will now pass the Sugar factory in Carlow!!!
I think there is some agreement to keep both factories viable, so the south wexford beet crop has to be shipped to Mallow.
Oh yeah, as I found out last year, be careful driving around South Wexford at this time of year, take a corner too quickly and you could run into a tractor hauling beet to the depot in Wellington Bridge....

Qadhafi · 08-10-2003 7:18pm

what a bunch of jokers, is there any plans to upgrade the track, i heard the green party and Fine Gael saying something like this but is it just lip service?

Victor · 09-10-2003 1:51pm

Originally posted by Qadhafi
what a bunch of jokers, is there any plans to upgrade the track, i heard the green party and Fine Gael saying something like this but is it just lip service?

Several groups are advocating a more frequent service using (Dublin Suburban style) railcars instead on traditional locomotive and carriages.

Victor · 04-05-2004 7:32pm

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2004/05/04/story145876.html

Report published into Tipperary derailment
04/05/2004 - 8:00:01 AM

An investigation has concluded that the derailment of a freight train on the Cahir Viaduct in Co Tipperary last October was an accident caused by a combination of factors.

Iarnród Éireann said the report found that the two-axle freight wagons interacted with the tracks on the viaduct due to their rigidity and subsequently derailed.

The accident on the Waterford to Limerick Junction line caused major damage to the bridge and resulted in 12 of the train’s 22 wagons plunging 50 feet into the River Suir below.

Iarnród Éireann said the investigation into the incident, carried out by British experts, concluded that a similar accident could not have happened to a passenger train on the same line due to differences in the type of carriages used.

The company said it had also responded to the incident by surveying all similar bridges to ensure their continued safe operation and by reducing the speed of similar freight trains while they are crossing over bridges.

Report published into Tipperary derailment

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