A recent investigation by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has highlighted a significant rail safety failure in Auckland. On February 1, 2025, a freight train came within approximately 250 meters of a passenger service after failing to stop at a signal in the Westfield rail yards.
The incident occurred at about 12:07 p.m. As freight train 170S traveled from Wiri toward the Port of Auckland. While the freight train was moving at 24 km/h, it passed a stop signal that had been activated to allow an oncoming passenger train to cross onto the same track. Although the locomotive engineer applied the emergency brake before reaching the signal, the train traveled about 50 meters past it before coming to a halt. The passenger train was able to clear the section of track and continue its journey without incident.
Describing the event, TAIC chief investigator of accidents Louise Cook stated: “The train stopped in time, but in railway terms, only just.” She added, “This was close enough to matter. It’s the kind of event rail safety systems are designed to stop before it gets that far.”
Factors Behind the Near-Miss
The investigation identified a confluence of issues that contributed to the failure. The freight train crew was unfamiliar with the “complex” section of track, and the locomotive engineer became distracted, recognizing the need to stop too late. Rail operations had been altered due to multiple worksites between Wiri and Westfield, which required trains to travel in directions that deviated from normal patterns. The commission also noted a lack of dedicated trackside markers that would have assisted the crew in judging speed and distance.
Cook emphasized that the event illustrates the dangers posed when multiple safety barriers fail simultaneously. “This isn’t about one mistake; it’s about what happens when several risk controls are weak at the same time,” she said. “Good rail safety depends on people and systems working together.”
Implications and Future Safety Measures
The commission found that KiwiRail had not sufficiently implemented “risk-triggered commentary driving,” a safety practice where engineers verbally describe observations to maintain situational awareness.
Following the incident, KiwiRail has taken steps that could mitigate future risks. The company introduced a new route familiarity tool and a route knowledge standard for locomotive engineers. KiwiRail has accepted recommendations to incorporate risk-triggered commentary driving into its crew training programs. Looking ahead, the installation of additional trackside signage is also expected to assist crews in responding more effectively to signals and monitoring their progress, which may reduce the likelihood of similar procedural failures in the future.
