Malahide Media Coverage

[Colm Moore]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...253398969.html

Disruption of Dublin rail route

Madam, – To state that “however good we may be at building things, we are woeful at maintaining them” (Editorial, August 25th) casts an unwarranted slur on the professionalism of generations of railway engineers who have maintained the Irish railway system in safe and serviceable working order for 150 years, surviving wars, recessions and the occasional re-structuring.

To echo the call of blogger Mark Gleeson of Rail Users Ireland for “a systematic programme of bridge inspections” misses one important point – there always has been a systematic two-year maximum interval bridge inspection on Irish railways.

Indeed, there may well be two parallel-running programmes in place – the traditional divisional engineer / assistant divisional / chief inspector inspection culture and the newer consultant-designed top-down ISO9000-compliant model favoured by the Railway Safety Commission.

This is perhaps the most dangerous condition – the traditional culture out of favour and the new culture not yet in place.

The maintenance of the permanent way (track, bridges etc) is and always has been a core-activity of the civil engineering department. It is a boots-on-the-ground activity, often done under severe time-pressure on busier road-inaccessible lines, experienced eyes constantly looking for anomalies, signs of damage, structural distress, physical deterioration. Not a consultant in sight.

Perhaps senior engineers are spending too little time on permanent way inspection and too much time on vanity-projects such as, pace my Western cousins, the Western Corridor “line to nowhere”.

The Malahide viaduct failure demands a reckoning. The tide has been ebbing and flowing through the spans of this viaduct for more than a century and it’s incomprehensible that every mood of that tidal flow hasn’t been observed and logged over all these years. – Yours, etc,

MICHAEL GILL,
(Chief Civil Engineer CIÉ, 1966-1970),
Milltown Grove,
Milltown, Dublin 14.

[Mark Gleeson]

Repairs begin on Malahide viaduct
ELAINE EDWARDS
Iarnród Éireann has begun work to facilitate the reconstruction of the Malahide viaduct, which partially collapsed last Friday evening just moments after a train had passed across it.

The company said it had today commenced bringing rock on site to rebuild the eroded weir, which is believed to have been “a significant factor in the collapse”.

The rebuilding of the weir will fill the breach which is believed to have undermined the collapsed pier and will “normalise” water flows and protect other adjacent piers, Iarnrod Eireann said.

It said the work would also protect the estuary environment, ensuring that normal water levels and flows are maintained and sustaining the estuary eco-system. This work will then permit the reconstruction proper to proceed.

“This will include piling for platforms for the crane required for the reconstruction work; works on adjacent piers to strengthen these and provide a ‘seat’ for new beams and installation of the beams across the two spans, to be supported by the strengthened piers.

Iarnród Éireann said the estimated timescale for the reconstruction was unchanged at three months.

The team dealing with the assessment and reconstruction of the viaduct is being assisted and advised by independent experts Eamon McKeogh, Professor of Hydraulics at UCC, and Dr Eric Farrell of the Geotechnical Department at TCD.

Iarnród Éireann was warned by a member of Malahide Sea Scouts about possible damage to one of the piers supporting the viaduct five days before it collapsed.

On foot of that warning, Iarnród Éireann carried out an inspection of the viaduct on the following day.

The company said today a committee has been established to oversee the investigation into the collapse of the 20-metre section of the viaduct. It will be chaired by board member Phil Gaffney, a former managing director of MTR, which operates the Hong Kong Metro.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...breaking49.htm

[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

[Mark Gleeson]

Curiously there does actually exist a guide http://www.rsc.ie/uploads/rsc/RSC-G-...Passengers.pdf

Drivers are under instruction not to stop on viaducts or inside tunnels but to continue clear if a urgent need to stop arises

[roamling]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Curiously there does actually exist a guide http://www.rsc.ie/uploads/rsc/RSC-G-...Passengers.pdf

Drivers are under instruction not to stop on viaducts or inside tunnels but to continue clear if a urgent need to stop arises

The article talkes about the scenario when the train actually becomes submerged in water, in that case there are no evacuation details outlined in the guideline.

[Mark Gleeson]

Originally Posted by roamling

But the article talkes about the scenario when the train actually becomes submerged in water, in that case there are no evacuation details outlined in the guideline.

There is no advice for the train being on its side either. The instructions are generic and will be applicable in all emergency situations. The majority of people given the glass hammer will not be able to break the window, while those who have read the guide will do it in one swift blow

[DangerM]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

There is no advice for the train being on its side either. The instructions are generic and will be applicable in all emergency situations. The majority of people given the glass hammer will not be able to break the window, while those who have read the guide will do it in one swift blow

Is that not the most ridiculous thing ever? Why supply a hammer without instructions on how to use it, absolutely crazy, from reading the document all is needed is a one liner - aim for the corner!

[Mark Gleeson]

The on train notices now clearly show striking the corner, unfortunately the human instinct is to aim for the centre

If you end up upside down, read this http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/sq...009%202002.htm

[James Shields]

One thing I notice travelling on UK trains is the amount of safety notices they display, almost to the point of making wonder is the train so dangerous that it needs so much safety information. Seriously, every carriage seems to have multiple notices advising you of evacuation routes, what to do under various scenarios, advice on the locations and use of the safety equipment.

It's possible that the UK go a little overboard, but that's surely better than the almost total lack of instruction IE have.

[DangerM]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

The on train notices now clearly show striking the corner, unfortunately the human instinct is to aim for the centre

Have to disagree, I'm on the train now beside an emergency window with a hammer and it doesn't state that anywhere.

[Mark Gleeson]

DART I was on had a very clear notice and clearly showed the hammer striking the corner of the window

There are evacuation notices as well in most of the fleet

[ThomasJ]

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

DART I was on had a very clear notice and clearly showed the hammer striking the corner of the window

There are evacuation notices as well in most of the fleet

Correct of if im wrong mark but arent the notices you are referring to confined to the upgraded DARTS and the new intercity railcars.

I have never seen these notices on the 29ks and quiet often i an beside the door.

[Mark Gleeson]

Mk2d, Mk3 and Mk4 have/had them as well

The latest notices are glow in the dark as well!

Ladies and gentlemen, Iarnród Éireann welcomes you on board. This is the xx:xx service from a to b calling at c, d and e. Your attention is drawn to the safety and evacuation notices. This is non smoking service. We thank you for your attention and hope you have a pleasant and comfortable journey

[ThomasJ]

Ladies and gentlemen, Iarnród Éireann welcomes you on board. This is the xx:xx service from a to b calling at c, d and e. Your attention is drawn to the safety and evacuation notices. This is non smoking service. We thank you for your attention and hope you have a pleasant and comfortable journey

Given that the majority of commuter services that cross the malahide viaduct are commuter railcars (2600s, 2800s and 29ks) passengers wouldn't have heard that announcement or seen proper safety and evacuation notices.

[Colm Moore]

http://www.tribune.ie/news/article/2...at-irish-rail/

Troubled waters at Irish Rail
Ken Griffin and Mark Hilliard

MANAGERS at Iarnród Éireann blocked the appointment of a safety director for over a decade because of the concerns the new post would dilute their responsibilities, it has emerged.

Although the appointment had been recommended by independent safety consultants IRMS in 1998, it was only made earlier this year.

According to a recent Department of Transport review, the delay came about because Iarnród Éireann "decided that the post was unnecessary" as "it would dilute accountability for the [safety] programme among [its] senior management team".

Even now, the manager only controls project expenditure and safety reporting, rather than the wide-ranging oversight role envisaged by IRMS.

Fine Gael's transport spokesman Fergus O'Dowd said the situation was a disgrace and the safety manager needed to be given the full range of powers envisaged for the role.

"Safety transcends everything: it needs to be separate from other functions and interests but it seems that Iarnród Éireann's managers want to play cabbage-patch politics rather than ensure passenger safety," he said.

The state railway company's safety procedures have come under intense scrutiny following the recent collapse of the Broadmeadow viaduct on the Dublin-Belfast railway line.

The Department of Transport review also reveals the company's management have either abandoned or postponed other safety measures, including a confidential safety reporting scheme for staff.

The system was scrapped by Iarnród Éireann in 2007 because the rail operator felt that its "staff safety representatives and open culture" rendered it unnecessary.

These conclusions were challenged by the review's authors who said Iarnród Éireann should reinstate the system to "ensure that key safety concerns are not filtered out or diluted as they are passed up through the organisation".

Commuter representatives have also expressed concern about the scrapping of the system with Mark Gleeson of Rail Users Ireland alleging there was a culture of fear within the company.

"Even with the confidential reporting scheme, staff were concerned that they would be traced by management and that disciplinary action would be taken against them," he said.

Meanwhile, Irish Rail has confirmed that while technology is in existence to continually monitor the stability of bridges, it is not employed in Ireland.

The extent of such technology's use across Europe is unclear, but it is understood the systems would provide early warning mechanisms in the event of subsidence or other movement of bridge structures.

Irish Rail confirmed all such safety systems will form part of the ongoing review of operations in relation to the viaduct collapse.

A spokesman said: "Technology does exist to monitor bridge structures although it does not appear to be widely used in European railways.

"Obviously all safety systems will be examined as part of the investigation. However, it is unlikely, given the emerging evidence of the nature of this collapse, that such a system would have given any advance warning."

The technology in question is similar to that used by Irish Rail to monitor the Dart line during the construction of the Port Tunnel.

August 30, 2009

[ThomasJ]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0909/rail.html

Rail bridge may be repaired by November
Wednesday, 9 September 2009 13:23
Members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport have inspected the scene of the railway bridge collapse in Malahide.

The Committee members were briefed by Iarnród Éireann officials, including company chairman John Lynch, about progress in the re-building of the bridge at Broadmeadow estuary.

Iarnród Éireann says they expect to complete the re-construction of the bridge, which collapsed last month, in November.

A company spokesperson said that its inquiry into the incident will take six months to complete.

Transport Committee member and Fine Gael Spokesperson on Transport Fergus O'Dowd says he wants independent verification that the work being conducted on the bridge is to the highest possible standard.

[Mark Gleeson]

A lot of people are going to look really stupid claiming 11 months....

I put 3 months as the timescale on the day afterwards. Once they are open by December 8th they will have delivered a miracle. Obviously the huge daily financial cost is a big motivating factor

[tigger1962]

well i is delighted by that, I was talking to a civil engineer on the enterprise one day and he said from what he saw he figured it would be 18 months. November is much nicer.

I'll miss the morning bus as i was getting in quicker... but i won't miss the afternoon rush then it'll be back to normal wondering if the incoming enterprise has problems again

[tigger1962]

the irish times has an article stating the same but my web access is a bit flaky at the moment! states there was 4m of water at time of collapse?

[ThomasJ]

Tragedy avoided in rail collapse
RONAN McGREEVY

Hundreds of people could have drowned if a train had been on the Malahide viaduct when it collapsed, members of the Oireachtas were told today.

Three politicians were given a tour of the reconstruction of the viaduct which collapsed just after a train ran over it on the evening of August 20th.

The driver of the train called ahead and another train that was due to go over it stopped at Howth Junction just before it was due to go over the estuary.

Fine Gael transport spokesman Fergus O’Dowd said he was disturbed to be told by Iarnród Éireann engineers that the loss of life could have been catastrophic as there was four metres of water in the estuary at the time.

“I am very concerned that there would have been major loss of life, were it not for the quick actions of the train driver,” he said.

“I’m very concerned about the safety regime. The first time that a engineer walked across that bridge was two years ago apart from the day of the complaint (a complaint made by Malahide Sea Scouts on the Monday before the collapse).

“It showed Iarnród Éireann had serious concerns. They didn’t get it right. The thing collapsed.”

Another member of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Senator John Ellis, its former chairman, and local TD Darragh O’Brien also visited the viaduct.

Mr O’Brien said: “We are all blessed that we are not dealing with a major tragedy. All of us Oireachtas members realise that. We are happy and the public should be happy with the safety regime put in place post the reconstruction of the bridge.”

The chairman of CIE John Lynch and other Iarnród Éireann officials are due to appear in front of the transport committee next week to answer questions about the incident.

The politicians were also told that the reconstruction was on schedule and the line would reopen at the end of November.

Original plans not to re-build the fourth pier, the one that collapsed, and instead replacing with a span between piers three and four, have been scrapped in favour of rebuilding it.

Hundreds of tonnes of rock have been placed on a four metre road along the base of the viaduct to facilitate heavy machinery. Pipes have been put in to ensure a normal flow of water through the Broadmeadow Estuary.

The weir underneath the piers is currently being repaired. A crack in allowed the water flow to be disturbed which, in turn, undermined the pier that eventually collapsed.

Piles as deep as 20 to 30 metres will be driven to support the rebuilt pier and the other piers will be strengthened.

Mr Ellis said he was reassured about the future safety of the Dublin-Belfast line, but the possibility that heavy rain during the summer could have been a factor in the viaduct’s collapse was cause for concern elsewhere.

“It does pose questions for other authorities such as the NRA and local authorities with regards to bridges. They are going to have to be dealt with as soon as possible,” he said.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...breaking62.htm