The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has issued urgent safety advice regarding passenger doors that are not centrally controlled and/or locked by train crew.
It warns that suitable arrangements may not be in place to mitigate the risks arising from the operation of passenger trains formed of rolling stock with these doors (principally slam door rolling stock) where these trains are close to, or longer than, the length of station platforms.
The RAIB is urging heritage railways and other operators of trains which use coaches the doors of which are not are centrally controlled and/or locked by train crew (principally slam door rolling stock) to review the risks associated with the use of train formations which may not be fully platformed or which are of a length close to that of the platforms being called at.
The notice continues, “Duty holders should ensure that a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks is carried out and that any appropriate control measures identified are implemented. These assessments should consider:
- the type and location of passenger doors on the relevant rolling stock
- the length of passenger trains compared to the platforms at which they may call
- the capabilities of the braking systems of the trains involved and the level of precision which is reasonably achievable by them when stopping
- the level of accuracy in stopping position required of train crew and if this is supported by relevant competency and assessment processes
- if the level of stopping position accuracy required of train crew aligns with the capability of the trains involved and the accuracy required at the relevant platforms
- the effectiveness of existing measures intended to manage the risk of passengers exiting a train that is not fully platformed or which may stop in line with areas not intended for public use, such as platform ramps
- the visibility from the cab of different traction units and the effectiveness of any stopping markers in place.”
The notice follows an incident at around 11:49 hrs on 14 January 2023, in which a passenger lost their footing and sustained a serious injury while alighting from a train at Loughborough Central station on the Great Central Railway. The train involved was formed of historic slam door rolling stock. The accident occurred just after the train had stopped and as the passenger was alighting from the leading door of the train's leading coach. The train had stopped in a position with this door adjacent to the ramped part of the platform, which is not intended for public use. The passenger lost their footing and sustained their injuries while they were stepping down from the coach and onto the platform ramp.
Sadly, just using common sense isn’t enough to protect every member of the public, and that’s not their fault.
As an example: I remember visiting the L&B at Woody Bay 5 years ago, where the carriages have a big step down to the platform. A somewhat frail, elderly gentleman (nearing 90?) ahead of me either didn’t perceive or see the drop, and didn’t remember the big step-up to get aboard either, so the poor chap – expecting the platform and carriage to be level – didn’t use the step and promptly face-planted the platform. He was very badly bruised, plainly very shaken, and obviously taken away in an ambulance.
There is something to be learnt here. At the L&B, the drop was only about 1.5 feet, not 4 feet from a BR Mk1 to sharp ballast.
Anyone with common sense would know not to use a door that isn’t on the platform. Ramp ends are for emergency use only. On current national rail services if a train is bigger than the platform an announcement is made on tanoid to leave the train only in coaches on the platform.
For Heaven’s sake! Firstly, accidents do happen. Secondly, the door was adjacent to a part of the platform that was clearly not designed nor intended for passengers to alright from the train. I am sorry that someone was hurt, but I refer to my second sentence.
People need to take more responsibility for their own safety. if they cant see the the terrain below their feet, need to go to Specsavers