On May 4, 2021, Train No. 7142, the northbound cargo train of Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA), departed from Changhua Station to Houli Station. At 09:35 when the train entered the mainline from the siding of Chenggong Station, the No.19 switch was not flipped to the reverse position, causing the point switch of turnout squeezed by the wheelset of the bogie. The driver stopped the train immediately, while the train conductor informed the driver to operate the train backward. The train then derailed at the junction of siding and mainline and stopped at K203+552. There were no fatalities or injuries in this occurrence.

After receiving the notification, the Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB) immediately dispatched two investigators with the people of Railway Bureau, MOTC and TRA heading to the scene and performing evidence collections, conducting personnel interviews as well as collecting relevant information. The TTSB identified that this event was a railway occurrence in accordance with the Transportation Occurrence Investigation Act. The Investigator-In-Charge was assigned and an investigation team was launched to conduct the investigation.

Further information and progress of investigation will be published on the TTSB website.

Vivi Yang, Executive Officer
Tel: +886-2-7727-6217
E-mail: viviy2314@ttsb.gov.tw