Lithuanian Railways Investigates Wagon Derailment in Radviliškis

Lithuanian Railways (LTG) is investigating a minor incident where three empty freight wagons derailed in Radviliškis on August 17. The company stated the derailment had no impact on train traffic, as the wagons were on a siding. An investigation is underway to determine the cause, with initial findings suggesting it may have occurred during shunting operations.

Artūras Černiauskas, chairman of the Lithuanian Railway Trade Union Association, commented that a lack of funding for process automation contributes to human error. He believes greater automation could reduce the impact of human factors and prevent similar incidents. Černiauskas noted that, fortunately, past incidents have not resulted in serious injuries.

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We are treating the incident as minor; it had no impact on train traffic. The wagons were on a siding, and the investigation will determine all circumstances. I cannot say why (the wagons derailed) at this point.

This derailment occurred on August 17 around 1:50 PM. The wagons did not overturn, and train operations were unaffected. On the same day, a separate incident caused a temporary halt to train traffic on the Palemonas–Kaunas route due to a contact network failure. Earlier this year, other derailments occurred, including three wagons carrying ballast in Kėdainiai district in May, and a locomotive and four wagons in Jiesia, Kaunas district, the same weekend.

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There is a lack of funds. These processes could be further automated, completely eliminating the human factor or reducing it to a minimum. Then perhaps such incidents would not happen. We should be glad that the incidents that have occurred so far have ended without serious injuries.