Recommendation: 2019002-04

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Ref # 2019002-04
Status Closed
Occurrence Collision of an ICR with a buffer stop at Laois Train Care Depot, 17th July 2018
Occurrence Date 17 July 2018
Date Closed 31/08/2020

Basis for Recommendation

The completion of the Brake Functionality Test and the Static Brake Test prescribed on the Chief Mechanical Engineer's (CME) Training Course and in the CME Professional Handbook, respectively, does not guarantee the status of the brakes on the train. On the day of the accident the CME Driver conducted a Brake Functionality Test but remained unaware that there were no brakes on ICR 16 as there was no requirement to check the brake isolations. For these reasons the RAIU make the following safety recommendation:

Recommendation

Iarnród Éireann (Railway Undertaking) should expand the requirements of preparation instructions for rail vehicles to ensure that on completion of these tests the brake status of a train can be fully established; this should include checking the status of circuit breakers and brake isolations.