The Glacier Express wreck between Fiesch and Lax - 23 Jul 2010.

27 July 2010

Lokführer (Engineer) Accelerated
Strongly Into the Curve?

Fiesch Switzerland - The three experts of the investigating body have until now discovered no technical defects in the accident on the Glacier Express. Was human error the cause of the derailment?
 
Three experts in the investigation have placed the two overturned carriages of the Glacier Express under the microscope.
 
The accident cars are currently in the custody of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB) at Brig.
 
They could not find any evidence that technical flaws led to the accident.
 
Walter Kobelt, head of the UUS, said yesterday in front of the media at Brig, the engineer stated, "Before the accident I saw a deformation of the rails".
 
The train driver did, however, not slow down.
 
Appeared Damaged After Accident
 
Whether there really was a deformation Kobelt could not confirm.
 
"The rails are too badly damaged because of the accident", he said.
 
Shortly before the accident, just before the curve, the train travels through a passage in which only 35 kilometres per hour are allowed.
 
It is quite possible that the driver accelerated the last wagon too much through the curve.
 
The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn has so far not made any statement about the cause of the accident.
 
Although the data recorders have been evaluated, the announcement of results is still waited.
 
Test drives last night should first be compared with the testimony of the engineer.
 
Kobelt and his team also called for geological and meteorological expertise, especially on the wind conditions at the time of the accident.
 
The rails were also measured at the accident site between Lax and Fiesch.
 
They must now be compared with standard rails, to determine whether they meet requirements.
 
Stir in Japan
 
In Japan, there was some excitement because the track was released for use again on Sunday without knowing the reason for the accident.
 
Kobelt, however, assured that the release of the track, given the observations of the engineer, was not dangerous.
 
He referred to the repair work and limiting the speed of the trains to 15 miles per hour at the scene.
 
Kobelt pointed out that the investigations could be weeks or even months to complete.
 
He expects, however, by later this week to at least make an interim report.
 

The Glacier Express wreck between Fiesch and Lax - 23 Jul 2010.