A report into a freight train derailment in Greater Manchester has been released by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch.

The accident happened at around 11:25 on the 6th September 2024 when 9 of a 24 wagon train derailed as it crossed over a bridge in Audenshaw.

Extensive damage was caused to the track, bridge and wagons, but thankfully, no one was injured in the accident.

The railway was also closed for around 8 weeks whilst repairs were completed.

The RAIB say that the derailment happened because of a loss of restraint of the track gauge, which caused the wheels on the right-hand side ot drop into the widening space.

The tracks over the bridge use a longitudinal bearer system, which sees the rails mounted on timber that runs under the rails, rather than sleepers and ballast and then use baseplates which are screwed onto the bearers.

The investigation found that a number of screws that secured the basplates failed and examinations show fatigue failures before the train arrived.

Examinations by the RAIB show that there were previous screw failures in the same locations and maintenance activities confirmed three previous failures.

The LBS was installed in 20017 but saw an increase in traffic since 2015 and this had accelerated the rate of fatigue.

The RAIB has also found that neither automated nor manual inspections found the failure due to neither being reliable in detecting this sort of failure.

RAIB has made eight recommendations to Network Rail. The first recommendation aims to give greater assurance of the components used in its designs of LBS.

The second recommendation is to improve its management of LBSs, including design, installation and maintenance guidance, and the reporting of component failures. The third recommendation deals with the competence of staff who manage those assets.

The fourth recommendation is for Network Rail to improve the interfaces between the two disciplines responsible for the track and structures assets to better manage them.

The fifth recommendation is for Network Rail to better understand the effects from the condition of the LBS supporting structure on the track’s behaviour.

The sixth recommendation is for Network Rail to review the way in which it assesses the effects of changes in rail traffic on its LBS assets and to consider any subsequent necessary changes in design, inspection or maintenance activity.

The seventh recommendation is to improve its records of its LBS assets, ensuring that it knows the configurations of its LBS assets nationwide.

The eighth recommendation is for Network Rail to improve its own assurance processes for LBS assets to ensure that staff are keeping accurate records of inspection and maintenance activities.