[ThomasJ]

Independent
http://www.independent.ie/national-n...e-1875154.html

By Shane Phelan


Wednesday September 02 2009

THE Irish rail safety watchdog has said there are no specific safety features to deal with the evacuation of passengers should a train become submerged in water.

The admission was made by the Railway Safety Commission in a letter written in the aftermath of the collapse of the Broadmeadow viaduct in north Co Dublin last month.

Commissioner John Welsby said that while Iarnrod Eireann's rail carriages were built to the best international design and construction practice, "there are no specific standards or safety features pertaining to derailment on a viaduct or evacuation following submersion".

The disclosure has prompted concern given that there are 84 bridges and viaducts running over open water in the country.

While trains are equipped with automatic door releases and hammers to break window glass, there are no specific European guidelines on what passengers should do in the event of a train going under water.

Fine Gael transport spokesman Fergus O'Dowd said the lack of guidelines was troubling. "Nobody would have expected a train to end up in water, but it almost happened but for the vigilance of a train driver," said Mr O'Dowd.

"I think we need a specific strategy for dealing with this eventuality, and at the minimum basic advice on what passengers should do and should not do if it does happen."

The Commuter North Rail Users Group has also complained that carriages do not carry advice on what passengers should do in the event of a derailment into water.

Iarnrod Eireann defended the design of its trains, stating they were all built in accordance with the most stringent international safety standards.

Derailment

Spokesman Barry Kenny said it was hard to be too definitive on what specific actions should be taken in the event of a derailment into water.

"Our emergency procedures have to allow for all possible situations. If you over-prescribe, you may arrive at a situation where the prescribed course of action may not be the safest," he said. "Generally remaining on the train is the safest place to be, but every situation is different."

The Railway Safety Commission said it was not responsible for developing the safety standards it enforces. It said that role fell to the European Rail Agency, which sets the standards that apply to rolling stock in EU member states.

The latest disclosure comes just days after the Irish Independent revealed how critical railway safety checks have not been carried out for the past three years because the watchdog does not have enough staff.

- Shane Phelan