Ferrocarril del Pacífico (Fepasa) reported that it has withdrawn a set of 27 cars from circulation as a preventive measure following the derailment of a train in Chiguayante, Bio Bio Region, which occurred in the early hours of last May 9, because they have the same components supplied by a manufacturer to the damaged wagons.
A preliminary report from the Railway Accident Investigation Unit (UIAF), under the State Railway Company (EFE), suggested that the root cause of the incident would have been the detachment of a wheel from the bogie of one of the cars.
Through a statement, the company indicated that “as a preventive measure, Fepasa withdrew 27 recently commissioned cars from circulation, out of a total fleet of 2,000 units, because their rolling elements belong to the same batch supplied by the equipment provider. This measure does not affect the operational continuity of the company’s services.”
“It should be noted that these components had been recently supplied by the manufacturer and installed on the car, and had few kilometers of use, equivalent to 1.5% of their useful life,” stated Ferrocarril del Pacífico.
Likewise, the company maintained that it is aware of the preliminary report related to the cause of the accident and that it requested an independent investigation to determine the origin of the derailment. The company also emphasized that it has actively participated by providing background information and recovering the affected material.
“Fepasa has taken note of the preliminary report issued by the EFE Railway Accident Investigation Unit (UIAF), regarding the origin of the derailment. Since the beginning of the contingency, the company has been actively collaborating with EFE and the relevant authorities, providing available background information and deploying the necessary resources to support the removal of the involved cars, the recovery of the track, and the prompt restoration of rail traffic,” they stated in the press release.
“Additionally, Fepasa requested an independent technical investigation from specialists at the Institute of Technological Research of the University of Concepción (IIT UdeC) with the aim of precisely determining the origin of the event. Among other aspects, the rolling element of the involved car, consisting of axle, wheel, and bearings, will be handed over for review and technical testing, a process estimated to last at least fifteen days,” the company stated.
“Fepasa’s priority will continue to be safeguarding the safety of people, workers, and the community, maintaining safe operations, and transparently collaborating with all ongoing investigations, seeking to restore normal railway services in the shortest possible time,” the railway company assured.
