Severn Tunnel rail accident

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Severn Tunnel rail crash
Details
Date7 December 1991
Location Severn Tunnel
Coordinates 51°35′7″N2°43′17″W / 51.58528°N 2.72139°W / 51.58528; -2.72139
Country United Kingdom
Line South Wales Main Line
Operator InterCity
Regional Railways
Owner British Rail
CauseAxle counter failure or driver error
Statistics
Trains2
Vehicles InterCity 125
Class 155
Deaths0
Injured185 (5 serious)
List of UK rail accidents by year

On 7 December 1991, two trains collided inside the Severn Tunnel, between England and Wales. There were no fatalities but 185 passengers were injured. [1]

Accident

The 08:30 London Paddington to Cardiff Central operated by an InterCity 125 was stopped at a signal guarding the entrance to the Severn Tunnel. On telephoning the signalman according to Rule 55, the driver was advised of a signal failure and given permission to proceed slowly at caution. Three miles into the tunnel, the train was struck from behind by a Class 155 Sprinter travelling from Portsmouth to Cardiff. 185 passengers were injured, including five seriously, but none fatally. [1]

Because track circuits were unreliable in the unusually wet tunnel environment (10 to 20 million gallons of water are pumped out per day), [2] axle counters were used instead. The official report into the accident [2] could not reach a firm conclusion, but speculated that the cause was either:

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Stephen, Paul (7 December 2016). "Deep Impact". Rail . No. 815. Peterborough: Bauer Media. pp. 54–57. ISSN   0953-4563.
  2. 1 2 Seymour, R.J. Railway Accident in the Severn Tunnel. H.M. Railway Inspectorate.