Shosholoza Meyl train derails near Polokwane

[John Ashworth]

Shosholoza-Meyl train derails

News 24 2010-06-29 10:05

Johannesburg - A Shosholoza Meyl train carrying 90 passengers derailed outside Polokwane on Monday, the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) said on Tuesday.

"Two locomotives and three coaches of the Bosvelder train derailed at 05:45 on Monday 28 June, outside Polokwane," the RSR said.

"The RSR's inspectors will be investigating amongst others, the condition of the locomotive, coaches and the points on the track."

The derailment happened on the Polokwane-Groenbult line, as the train approached Radiokoffie Station.

The coaches and locomotive remained upright after the derailment.

A technical assistant on the train was slightly injured.

No one else was injured.

- SAPA

RSR INVESTIGATES SHOSHOLOZA-MEYL DERAILMENT OUTSIDE POLOKWANE

Posted on 29 June 2010 by Railways Africa Editor

The Railway Safety Regulator’s (RSR) inspectors are investigating an incident in which a Shosholoza-Meyl train carrying 90 passengers, derailed outside Polokwane on Monday morning.

Two (2) locomotives and three (3) coaches of the Bosvelder train derailed at 05.45am on Monday 28 June, outside Polokwane. The incident took place on the Polokwane-Groenbult line, as the train approached Radiokoffie Station. The coaches and locomotive remained upright after the derailment.

None of the 90 passengers on board have been reported injured, however one technical assistant of the train was slightly injured. Alternative transport has been arranged for the passengers.

The RSR’s inspectors will be investigating amongst others, the condition of the locomotive, coaches and the points on the track.

[Fred Calitz]

According to my South African road atlas, the station is actually called Radikofi, and is located in the middle of nowhere between Munnik and Groenbult approximately 40 Km northeast of Polokwane.

Fred

[allanroy]

Preliminary investigations into the Polokwane incident showed that the rail point was tampered with. A rail point is an interface between a mainline and a branch line.

Lawrence Venkile, spokesperson for the railway safety regulator said the theft of copper cables and sleepers, especially at rail points, was rife.

http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=1156631

[Steve Appleton]

From Railways Africa:
http://www.railwaysafrica.com/2010/06/s ... erailment/

Although all the reports keep giving the station as Radiokffie, the station is actually Radikofi, located about 5 kms before Groenbult junction with the line down to Tzaneen.

TAMPERING APPEARS TO BE IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF SHOSHOLOZA-MEYL DERAILMENT

Posted on 30 June 2010 by Station Master

The Railway Safety Regulator’s (RSR) investigation thus far, indicates tampering with points on the railway line may be the immediate cause behind the derailment of a Shosholoza-Meyl train. Two (2) locomotives and three (3) coaches of the Bosvelder train derailed at 05.45am on Monday 28 June, outside Polokwane.

The incident took place on the Polokwane-Groenbult line, as the train approached Radiokoffie Station. The coaches and locomotive remained upright after the derailment. None of the 90 passengers on board were injured.

Stemming from this latest development regarding the tampering, the RSR is liaising with the operator and has instructed that security for their infrastructure be improved. This is with particular reference to stations and infrastructure in isolated areas.

Until such time as the security can be mobilised and improved by the operator, the RSR has further instructed that a speed restriction be observed in isolated areas, when a train is approaching a station. The speed restriction is recommended with a view to lessen the recurrence of possible derailments, should points or other infrastructure be tampered with.

[Steve Appleton]

From Railways Africa:
http://www.railwaysafrica.com/2010/07/b ... r-derails/

BOSVELDER DERAILS

Posted on 01 July 2010 by Railways Africa Editor

On 28 June, two locomotives and three coaches of the Gauteng-Musina “Bosvelder” train derailed on the approach to Radiokoffie, between Polokwane and Groenbult. An employee described as a “technical assistant” sustained minor injuries but none of the 90 passengers was hurt. All the rolling stock remained upright. Alternative transport was arranged for the passengers to continue their journeys.

The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) is investigating the incident. Reportedly the Chubb lock, bridle and chain had been removed from the facing points at the interloop and apparently purposely turned half-cock, resulting in the derailment. Transnet Freight Rail has offered a reward of up to R100,000 for the apprehension and successful prosecution of the perpetrators.

[Steve Appleton]

Does this section of the line not possess points indicators at the interloops? Unless the points indicator was also tampered with, the driver would then have seen that the points were not properly set.