31.10.1996

Railtrack back-peddling

On Monday October 28 the 12.05 train from Barrow became completely derailed on its approach to Manchester Airport, at Heald Green Junction. Although the train was travelling at 40mph and its derailment caused considerable damage to railway infrastructure, closing the line for nearly two days, nobody was seriously hurt.

The strange thing was the total news blackout. Nothing appeared on the TV news after the early evening bulletins, and nothing appeared in the papers. Next morning the only reference was on local bulletins’ travel information.

It has since been discovered that the derailment was caused by contractors working for Railtrack, who had failed to replace a locking pin. The points had subsequently moved when the train passed over them.

The news blackout comes at a time when Railtrack is reeling from revelations over their cost-cutting, and especially the lack of maintenance of the junction where the Watford train crash occurred.

Having quickly blamed the driver, Railtrack is back-peddling fast. Heald Green would appear to show even more starkly the risks Railtrack is prepared to take to maintain share prices at the expense of railway safety.

Aslef driver, Manchester