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RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2014 :: RMTnews 13 RMT has demanded a review of the use of the ‘Iron Man’ transporter on Britain’s railways following a runaway in Wales which came close to a repeat of the Tebay disaster in Cumbria in 2004. The Rail Accident Investigation Board (RAIB) is also investigating a near-miss incident involving a group of nine track workers who were working on the West Coast Main Line, south of Hest Bank between Carnforth and Lancaster in September. The group comprised of contract staff and a controller of site safety employed by Network Rail. A lookout operated warning system (LOWS) was being used to give warning of approaching trains because the gang’s view was restricted by curvature of the line. But it failed to warn the gang but the train was spotted just in time. In the Welsh incident, workers narrowly escaped injury when the railway transporters ran free for six miles along the south Wales line between Pantyffynnon Junction and Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, Neath Port Talbot. Two workers applied the brakes but the trailers failed to stop and they were forced to jump out of its way. A Network Rail report into the incident said that two sets of trolleys were transporting a 52-foot section of rail when they began to run away. "After being unable to physically stop the trolleys the staff jumped clear, with one member of staff sustaining a graze to the head after falling on to the ballast," it said. As a result of pressure from the union, Network Rail has confirmed that it has put in place a process in Wales that ensures all Iron Men get checked and approved before use and they are also banning it’s use on gradients over 1/150 unless specifically authorised. However, this protocol is only being applied in Wales and RMT is demanding that it be applied nationally. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that the incident had sent shock waves through the railways. “RMT members are demanding immediate action from Network Rail and its contractors to make sure that there is no repeat. “It is pure luck that no one was killed or injured and we are not prepared to leave the safety of our members to luck. “The Iron Man is a cheap option for transportation of track and clearly there are now serious questions about their safety and particularly the safety of their brakes. “There should be an immediate review into their continued use, we will not tolerate the use of faulty equipment. “Ten years after the Tebay disaster, where four RMT members lost their lives, we are still awaiting the full roll-out of the warning device that we have been promised for years. “It’s all very well talking big about track worker safety but what RMT is demanding is delivery of that safety regime without any further delays,” he said. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch is carrying out preliminary inquiries. R MT member and painter and sculptor Kanwal Dhaliwal recently displayed his portraits of Tom and Annie Higdon, the heroic teachers at a Burston school famous for the longest strike in history. The socialist teachers were sacked on trumped –up charges by the authorities one hundred years ago, sparking the strike by the children which is celebrated every year in the Norfolk village. “I was invited to the Burston School rally for the centenary celebrations and to display the portrait in the Burston School museum in September,” Kanwal said. This year Burston saw the biggest crowds ever as trade unionists celebrated the centenary of the strike which lasted from 1914 to 1936. A school house was built for the children, paid for by donations from trade unionists from across the country including many NUR branches, forerunner of RMT. Today it is a museum which tells the story of the strike. MORE RUNAWAYS RMT calls for review of the use of the ‘Iron Man’ after runaway comes close to repeat of Tebay disaster BURSTON STRIKE TEACHERS HONOURED