NATIONAL SPEED CUTS AFTER FOUR DIE ON HATFIELD'S BROKEN RAIL

This article discusses the accident to a London Kings Cross to Leeds express train at Hatfield on 17 October 2000, and Railtrack's reactions to it. The train was derailed by a broken rail while travelling at 115mph, four passengers were killed, and 33 were seriously injured. It is believed that the rail broke as the train was passing over it, so that the rear eight coaches were derailed. The four fatalities occurred in the buffet car, which overturned, hit an overhead catenary mast, and was badly damaged. Railtrack Chief Executive G Corbett accepted responsibility, and offered to resign, but many see him as the person most able to restore public confidence in the railway by resolving the safety issue. Railtrack soon imposed over 100 speed restrictions where track showed the same wear characteristics as at Hatfield, due to concerns about the track's ability to bear increased traffic, higher speeds, the different wheel profiles of modern rolling stock, and higher axle loads. It has now decided to review safety rules that it previously considered adequate, and pointed out that the track at Hatfield already showed signs of fatigue and was due to be replaced within only a few weeks. The Rail Regulator has given safety top priority, but admits that 100% safety is impossible in any transport system.