C4/​2000R Five tim­ber cargo wag­ons de­rail­ing at Saari, on 29 June, 2000

29.06.2000

On 29 June 2000 a train accident took place at Saari station where five wagons carrying birch raw-wood derailed. The train had travelled from Imatra freight yard to Saari where 13 loaded wagons were coupled as the last wagons to the train consisting of 28 empty wagons. The empty wagons were heading for Kitee and the loaded wagons for Äänekoski. The route northwards from track 3 at Saari being secured and the signal displaying a proceed sign, the engine driver started to accelerate the train. The train having reached 29 km/h the driver suddenly noticed that the pressure in the brake conduit of the train was decreasing and then the train stopped. In fact the pressure in the brake conduit decreased as five loaded wagons derailed in the curve preceding turnout V6.

The bogies of three derailed wagons travelled deep in the ballast bed while the wagons remained in an inclined position on the damaged track. Of the two other derailed wagons one end remained on the track. After the accident tracks 2, 3 and 4 had to be renewed over a total length of about 40 m. The V6 turnout on the north end of the yard was totally damaged and the frog element in V4 turnout broke, as well. Furthermore the bogies, wheelsets and ends of the derailed wagons suffered some minor damage. The costs generated by the accident amounted to over FIM 150 000.

The accident on Saari railway yard was caused by the rails of track 3 (short rail track) moving and inclining under the loaded wagons. The track was damaged as a result of the exceptionally warm weather, the track featuring a light structure with spike-fastened K30 rails, and the sleepers being aged and in poor condition.

In order to prevent corresponding accidents, the Accident Investigation Board of Finland recommends that sidings of track class A be specified 20 km/h as the maximum speed permitted – instead of 35 km/h – when the maximum axle load of 16 tonnes permitted for this particular track class, is exceeded.

Recommendation S149