rAiB invesTigATes runAwAy Trolley incidenT

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch is launching an inquiry into how a maintenance trolley, loaded with ballast, ran away on the East Lancashire Railway and crashed into a set of level crossing gates. The incident occurred at around 11.15am on March 15, when a group of track workers were using an unbraked trolley to transport ballast over the 1‑in‑264 to 1‑in‑140 section of line north of Ramsbottom station. According to the RAIB’s initial report: “In order to prevent the trolley running away while being loaded, pieces of ballast were used as improvised scotches. “After being loaded with approximately half a tonne of ballast, the improvised scotches were removed and three members of the team began to move the trolley southwards, downhill towards Ramsbottom station. Shortly after this, the trolley began to run away and the track workers were unable to stop it. “The trolley continued south until the level crossing immediately north of the station. The wooden gates at the crossing were closed across the railway, allowing road traffic to pass. The trolley struck the gates and derailed, damaging and displacing one of the gates into the road and spilling ballast onto the road. Although the road was open to traffic no one was injured.” East Lancashire Railway General Manager Tracey Parkinson said: “We are in the process of conducting a full internal investigation into this incident.” In its report, the RAIB stated that it would be investigating the planning of the work, the actions, training and competence of those involved, the management of the condition and use of trolleys on the railway and any underlying management factors. Any findings, which will be independent of any investigation by railway industry regulator the Office of Rail and Road, will be published in due course.