The RAIB has released a report into a runaway wagon at Kineton MOD sidings in Warwickshire.

On 25th May 2023, at around 21:08, an empty wagon at the Ministry of Defence sidings at Kineton in Warwickshire ran away and travelled for around 1.5 miles before coming to rest when the gradient levelled out.

[ruby_related heading=”Other News” total=3 layout=2]

The wagon pushed through two sets of points and broke through gates at the exit to the sidings.

It also passed two farm crossings and a public level crossing.

Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident.

The investigation found that the wagon, which is owned by GB Cargo and leased to Kuehne+Nagel, ran away because it was stabled on a gradient as a single wagon and didn’t have enough brake force to restrain it.

The RAIB has made five recommendations.

The first is that the MOD should review current arrangements to make sure that rail operations run on its behalf are being managed safely.

The second asks the MOD to work with statutory regulators and consider their regulation strategy for defence operated railways.

The third recommendation aims for K+N to ensure that rail operations provided as part of the MOD contract are being managed safely.

The fourth and fifth recommendations are addressed to DB Cargo and ask it to review its maintenance procedures for this wagon type and to ensure wagon brake components are scheduled for replacement at the end of their designed life.