When A42 collided with buffer stop at Richmond station No. 2 platform, the reinforced concrete end stop of the buffer stop withstood the impact of the collision and prevented the train from crossing into a pedestrian and main road precinct. The two hydro-pneumatic rams on the front of the buffer stop did not perform their intended function. They were not aligned with the front of the Waratah train and instead of absorbing energy from the collision, they penetrated the cavity either side of the front-of-train coupler.
The crash energy management system on the Waratah passenger train A42 reduced the impact force of the collision but not all components performed as designed. The performance of the crash energy management system was significantly limited by the buffer stop at Richmond being incompatible with the front of the Waratah train.
The wiring error was not detected by Metro Trains Melbourne’s verification program.
V/Line did not have a documented detailed process for inhibiting and reinstating level crossing protection equipment.
Lookout Working (LOW) was implemented in an area deemed unsuitable for LOW on the Sydney Trains Worksite Protection Hazardous Locations Register (WPHLR). This is likely due to the WPHLR not being clearly stated as a reference with specific requirements that must be adhered to.
Warning lights were utilised at Tempe to overcome sighting hazards and justify the use of Lookout Working (LOW). Warning lights rely on lookouts maintaining continuous observation and their use were not specifically referenced in the LOW Network Rules.
A variety of techniques to indicate and record rail stress at specific locations are available, however, Aurizon had not used any of these techniques in some locations with elevated risk of rail stress, such as tangent track on steep grades. As a result, Aurizon could not readily determine the presence or absence of compressive rail stress at these locations.
When planning track disturbing work, Aurizon’s normal practice was to use its Hazard Location Register as a record of past occurrences at a specific location. Aurizon did not use the Hazard Location Register as a resource to consider the situational characteristics of a location that may increase risk, such as continuous welded rail, track gradient and proximity to fixed points such as turnouts or level crossings.
Queensland Rail’s track monitoring and inspection processes were not effective in identifying significant deterioration in the condition of level crossing ID 2309 and its approach roads to ensure the safe operating limits of the level crossing throughout its lifecycle.
The GATX 840P1 axle was susceptible to fatigue cracking due to relatively minor damage that was not reliably detected prior to failure.
Anomalies in the magnetic particle inspection procedures likely led to the crack not being detected.
Errors remained within the ALCAM database due to the type of equipment used to measure road and rail bearings during ALCAM surveys in 2009.
V/Line’s level crossing assessment processes did not result in deployment of available risk controls at many passively protected acute-angle level crossings.
More than 100 level crossings in the V/Line regional rail network (including 35 at the intersection of passenger lines and public roads) were non-compliant with the left-side viewing angle requirements of AS 1742.7:2016. These crossings had an acute road-to-rail angle that affected the ability of drivers to sight trains approaching from their left.
The interaction between V/Line and the Colac Otway Shire Council was ineffective at addressing identified sighting issues at the Phalps Road level crossing.
Available risk controls to manage the risk posed by known sighting deficiencies at the Phalps Road level crossing were not deployed by V/Line or the Colac Otway Shire Council.
STM did not require the application of all available and reasonably practicable risk controls when parking trams with respect to their location and handbrake application.
STM did not comply with its risk control in ensuring that trams were attended when parked.
