C14/​1998R Haz­ardous sit­u­a­tion in rail traf­fic at Lielahti on Sep­tem­ber 10, 1998

10.09.1998

On Thursday, 10 September 1998, a hazardous situation arose on Lielahti railway yard when the M166 fast train was controlled to a siding in order to avoid a meeting train. However there were wagons standing on the siding, though the signal box indications expressed an unoccupied track. The train managed to stop before the standing wagons.

The hazardous situation was generated as a result of the axle-counting computer having been reset the day before and a succeeding command indicating track vacancy having been activated, although there were wagons standing on the siding. Consequently the relevant track indication in the signal-box control monitor displayed vacancy, and by the route command, the train route was set to the track referred to.

VR-Group Ltd already having revised the signal-box operating instructions as concerning the measures linked with the resetting, Accident Investigation Board Finland does not consider it necessary or reasonable to give any new recommendations.