Four faults were detected in the safety system of a train involved in a fatal crash in Wales, investigators have said.
Hoses designed to discharge sand when wheels slide during braking were “blocked”, according to an interim report from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).
The RAIB said the fault on the hose attached to the Transport for Wales (TfW) train would have “prevented sand from being ejected”.
Passenger David Tudor Evans, 66, died, while 27 people were injured – four of them seriously.
The report also states that two plates, which measure the flow rate of the sand, were incorrectly installed, with both upside down and one misaligned.
Two electrical faults were also discovered.
The train with the safety system faults was travelling at about 24mph when it collided head-on with another TfW train near Talerddig in Powys on 21 October.
The second train was travelling at a speed of around 6mph at the time of the collision.
Those seriously injured in the collision included the guard of the train with the faulty system and the driver of the other train.
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The train with the failed system was headed west to Aberystwyth and was supposed to stop inside a loop to allow an eastbound train to pass on the single track.
The onboard data recorder shows the driver applied the brakes as the train neared the loop, but the wheels started to slide at that time.
The train’s driver then made an emergency brake demand, which investigators say was still in place until the crash.
While the RAIB found the sanding hoses were blocked with leaves and debris from trees, a “basic check” carried out the day before suggested the system was not blocked at that time.
The investigation is ongoing and will consider factors such as the sanding systems and the cause and severity of low adhesion at Talerddig.
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In a joint statement, Transport for Wales and Network Rail said they have “fully cooperated” with the British Transport Police, Office of Rail and Road and the RAIB since the collision.
“Safety is always our main priority for our customers and colleagues, and we’ll continue to work together with investigators to fully understand what happened and await the full conclusion and recommendations of the investigation,” they added.
