Reasons why a train derails
Derailment occurs when a train runs off or leaves its track. Even minor derailments disrupt the proper operation of the railway system. They are responsible for many accidents and impose hazards to human health and safety. Usually, the potential causes of the derailment are a collision with another object, the mechanical failure of tracks, such as broken rails, or the mechanical failure of the wheels. The analysis showed that broken rails or welds were the leading derailment cause on the main, yard, and siding tracks. Unlike sidetracks, accidents on the main railway tracks are mainly due to bearing failures, broken wheels, and human factors–related causes such as improper use of switches and violation of switching. In all speed ranges, broken rails or welds were the leading cause of derailments.
Causes of Derailment
Materials/ Component Failure
Human/ Communication
Gear issues
Measurements
Weather adversity
Other issue
Root cause analysis helps to find the reasons for train derailments. The fishbone template helps to understand the causes and carry out an investigation on them. Let’s comprehend why this template is beneficial and how one can chalk out the strategies to bypass such major disasters by taking necessary action in advance.
Curated from community experience and public sources:
