Why do they always check for faulty points AFTER a train crash in the UK?

Question

If the points are supposedly regularly checked, then they would find the fault before a train crashes!

Answer 1

It's always the same after any accident, no-one worries till it happens. We are always wise after the event.

Answer 2

There were points nearby, hence they are under suspicion. As said a set of points or anything else could fail at any time, even a few minutes after an inspection. Track is inspected weekly by sight, and mainlines are also checked fortnightly by the 'New Measurement Train' (A yellow Intercity125 full of test equipment to check the track - the test equipment is some of the most advanced in the world) and other test trains check secondary routes. Its more a case of better safe then sorry to re-check everything that could potentially have been a factor. The train might have already derailed before it hit the points, we won't know untill the Rail Accident Investigation Board publish their final report on completion of the investigation.

BTW the Virgin Pendolino mearly uses the italian tilting mechanism under licence. The train itself was designed and built in the UK

Answer 3

The points are regularly checked.

Unfortunately, as in any industry, human error is a factor.  In the case of the recent incident in Cumbria, it is possible that a previously unknown problem has occurred, in which case lessons will be learnt to prevent is happening again.

Only two days after this accident, parallels are being drawn between it and the Potters Bar crash.  In my opinion, people assume too much, too soon.

I suggest you wait for the official report in to this before you jump to conclusions.

Answer 4

because it takes a big accedent to wake them up and cheack more offtern

Answer 5

You are 100% right!

Answer 6

They did not have to check the points, from the TV pics the points were bent up in the air - clealry faulty!

It is about time this country changed the lines so that the eurotrain and the virgin trains can run to their full potential speed just like in europe. MAYBE then we may use the trains and leave our cars at home - oh and once they drop the fairs as well!

Answer 7

- trains - if Rail-track were doing their job properly then this accident would not have happened.  I am impressed with Richard Branson's trains - Italian - most trains that derail the death rate is very high - not this time so hopefully something can be learnt from this - It was not the train but the rail - and if Rail-track are to blame I hope they will improve their service and realise that lives are at risk.

Answer 8

Simply because they become the prime suspects in the accident investigation which follows ANY untoward event on a railway in the UK.

Answer 9

what should they do....just leave it.          a fault has been found that may have caused this accident.  that is why they are being extra careful.

Answer 10

The points at the crash site were only fixed weeks ago, makes you wonder about the state of the whole network.

If human error is to blame the people in question deserve to go down for manslaughter.

Answer 11

In the old days, there were signal boxes every couple of miles on the railway.  Now they have signalling centres that cover hugh distances.   The ones in this accident would have been Preston or Carlisle miles away to spot anything wrong with the track.

Answer 12

Hello there.

Network Rail check ALL POINTS on a regular basis, not as you say after an accident.

Unlike what you seem to think. A Set of Points CAN & Will fail at any point in time, so if you checked a set of point right now they may be working perfectly, but in half-an-hours time, they may have totally failed. It like when you turn the living room light it works 99.9% of the time, but then it suddenly fails when you lest expect it!

As you do not work in the Railway I think that it best if you do not judge until you have heard all the facts. I would advise you to look up the following web site, which is independent company to Network rail & investigates Rail Accidents