Report on derailment near Oppegård station on the Østfoldbanen line 20 May 2015
Railway report 2016/04
Wednesday 20 May 2015 freight train 45958 from GreenCargo AB derailed with one wagon approximately 400 m from Oppegård station south of Oslo.
The freight train was on its way from Gothenburg in Sweden to the Alnabru freight terminal in Oslo. The line is double tracked, but the direction of the derailed wagon was towards the right, away from the other track. The wagon and the infrastructure suffered severe damages. The AIBN believes that several factors contributed to the accident. Under normal circumstances, each individual factor alone would not have been capable of causing a derailment, but in combination they constituted a risk.
Both photos: AIBN
Safety recommendation
Safety Recommendation JB no 2016/03T
On 20 May 2015, an Lgjns freight wagon on train 45958 derailed near Oppegård on the Østfoldbanen line. Upon inspection after the derailment, fracture lines were detected in the form of small cracks on the surface of the longitudinal girder and concealed cracks in welds. They were found where the axle guards are fixed to the longitudinal girder, an area that is subjected to strong forces because of the design of the wagon.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommends that the Norwegian National Rail Administration request Green Cargo AB to ensure that future welding work in the area where axle guards are fixed to the longitudinal girder on Lgjns wagons is carried out and documented in accordance with applicable welding norms.
Safety Recommendation JB no 2016/04T
On 20 May 2015, an Lgjns freight wagon on train 45958 derailed near Oppegård on the Østfoldbanen line. The container on the wagon was more heavily loaded at the rear than at the front, but it was within the applicable rules for loading. This wagon type is more at risk of derailment than others because of the low weight of the wagon, short wheel base and large overhang. Uneven load distribution contributed to the wheel lift and the derailment.
The Accident Investigation Board Norway recommends that the Norwegian National Rail Administration request Green Cargo AB to verify that the applicable loading principles are sufficient for this type of wagon.
Facts
| Location | Near Oppegård station at the Østfoldbanen line |
| Occurrence date | 20.05.2015 |
| Train No | 45958 |
| Type of Transportation | Freight train |
| Type of occurrence | Derailment |
| Rolling Stock | Freight wagon |