§ 57. Sir B. Jannerasked the Minister of Transport whether he will bring to the attention of British Rail the details of the train crash at Gifhorn, near Hanover, during the month of July which was probably caused by deformed rails resulting from a heatwave; and whether his experts concerned with rail safety are satisfied that similar conditions cannot arise in this country as a result of the greater use of continuous rail.
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§ Mr. MulleyThe British Railways Board tell me that they have been in close touch with the German Federal Railways in connection with the accident at Gifhorn near Hanover, and they have also received full details of a second passenger train derailment caused by distorted track this summer on German Railways. These two accidents occurred on track formed of rails welded into lengths of 30 metres, with conventional joints between the rail lengths; such track differs fundamentally from the continuous welded rail used by British Railways. Details of derailments caused by heat-distorted track in this country and the measures being taken to prevent further accidents from this cause were given in reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for Meriden on 13th October.—[Vol. 788, cc. 26–27.]