A FREIGHT train en route to West Yorkshire derailed due to a track fault, an initial investigation has indicated.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released its early findings after a train heading for the Dewsbury cement terminal came off the line at Sheffield station on November 11.

The preliminary examination has found that a series of rail fastenings, intended to maintain the correct distance between the rails, had broken, causing the rails to move apart and the wheels of some wagons to drop into the space between the rails.

The report states: "At about 02:45, a freight train conveying 34 wagons loaded with cement powder derailed as it was passing through Sheffield station at around 12mph. The train was travelling from Hope cement works in Derbyshire to Dewsbury cement terminal in West Yorkshire.

"A total of 16 wagons derailed after passing the north end of Platform 1. The leading ten wagons and the rear eight wagons remained on the track. One of the derailed wagons tipped onto its side and spilled some of its cargo onto the track.

"The train brake pipe started to leak as the wagons derailed, resulting in a gradual application of the brakes. The driver saw the brake pipe pressure gauge dropping and applied the train brake, thus stopping the train. This coincided with the signaller making an immediate ‘stop all trains’ emergency call to trains in the station area after becoming aware of multiple track and signalling failures.

"RAIB’s preliminary examination found that a series of rail fastenings, intended to maintain the correct distance between the rails, had broken. Initial evidence suggests that some of these were already broken before the derailment. Consequently, as the freight train passed, the rails moved apart and some of the wagons’ wheels dropped into the space between the rails.

"Train services were disrupted for several days while the wagons were recovered and the consequent track damage repaired.

"Our investigation will seek to identify the sequence of events which led to the accident. It will also consider any factors relevant to the design and maintenance of both the track and the wagons involved, how the risk of derailment was controlled at this location and any relevant underlying factors."