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Unread 15-09-2009, 11:01   #4
dermo88
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 136
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There have been two derailments caused by cattle, from the top of my head.

The first was in the UK, on the Glasgow to Edinburgh line at Polmaddie. It involved a Push/Pull set.

The second, and more relevant to Ireland, took place with a Knock Pilgrimage Special in May 1989. 5 people were injured near Knockcroghery (seems to be an unlucky spot). Cattle wandered on to the line, as the special approached, and it derailed at 50 mph.

The Iarnrod Eireann of 2009 is different to 1989, in terms that it is more safety conscious. Many accomodation crossings have been removed. There is more fencing. But, there is no accounting for nature. Cows will go where they want, and rolling stock hitting a cow at even as little as 30mph will not be pretty.
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