Iarnród Éireann told to review all rail carriages after crack discovered in locomotive

Railway safety inspectors said the structural failure discovered in the chassis of the locomotive could “under slightly different circumstances” have resulted in a serious accident with the potential for fatalities or serious injuries due to the risk of a derailment. Picture: Larry Cummins

Iarnród Éireann has been advised to carry out a review of all weld repairs carried out on train engines and carriages after a large crack was discovered in a locomotive in use on passenger services between Cork and Dublin last year.

Railway safety inspectors said the structural failure discovered in the chassis of the locomotive could “under slightly different circumstances” have resulted in a serious accident with the potential for fatalities or serious injuries due to the risk of a derailment.