Collision of a track-laying crane with a railcar at Sergach station of the Gorky Railway on October 17, 2025
On October 17, 2025, at 5:37 p.m., at Sergach station of the Gorky Railway, a track-laying crane UK-25/28SP collided with the 32nd railcar of arriving train No. 2356D.
The investigation established that, in accordance with telegram-permission dated October 14, 2025, No. ISKh-7185/Gork, at Sergach station on October 17, 2025, from 9:50 a.m. to 9:50 p.m. A technical window was provided for the replacement of switches No. 28 and No. 30.
The work was carried out by PMS-230 (Gorky DRP) using a UK-25/28SP crane, specialized platforms, hopper-dosing units, and a UNIMAT machine.
According to the authorization telegram, the Acting Head of PMSZ-230 was appointed as the work manager for the period of the technical window. He is responsible for train traffic safety, issuing warnings, and logging Form DU-46. The Acting Head of PChZ-17, responsible for the timely and safe execution of shunting operations, as well as organizing the safe passage of trains, is the Sergach Station Master.
At 8:00 a.m., the Acting Head of PChZ-17 was appointed as the work manager. A work entry for replacing switches No. 28 and No. 30 was made in the DU-46 logbook at Sergach station.
At the same time, train conductor PMS-113 (Northern DRP, assigned to PMS-230 of the Gorky DRP) presented himself to the station duty officer for a document check and clearance to perform shunting operations. According to the list of employees approved by the head of PMS-113, this train conductor was authorized to act as shunting supervisor and was familiar with the Sergach station TRA.
After switching off switches No. 26/28 (without maintaining signal operation) and switches No. 30/32 (with maintaining signal operation) in accordance with the established procedure at 9:57 a.m. The station duty officer at Sergach authorized the replacement of switches No. 28 and No. 30.
According to the official meeting records, the formation of the work train on the tracks at Sergach station and the shunting operations at the start of the work during the "window" were carried out by the train dispatcher, who had previously reported to the station duty officer.
After the switches were installed, the UK-25/28SP crane and nine specialized platforms were positioned on the section of track between switches No. 10 and No. 18 (between signals M10 and M76). The rolling stock was held with the brakes by the UK-25/28SP crane.
At 5:28 PM. The station duty officer called the station master by radio and confirmed the availability of clearance clearances at the work site for the train to be placed on track No. 11. After receiving confirmation from the station master, the station duty officer prepared the route and opened the entry signal Ch to accommodate train No. 2356D on track No. 11.
At 5:30 PM, after the turnouts were ballasted, the shunting locomotive with five hopper dispensers was also moved to the inter-turnout section (between turnouts No. 10 and No. 18) and coupled to the platforms and the UK-25/28SP crane.
According to the official communication protocol, the hopper-dispensing unit retraction from the work front was already being performed by another PMS-113 train conductor (with tenure since February 2025), who was not listed on the PMS-113 name list and who had not been presented to DSP Sergach for the clearance procedure.
At 5:34 PM, the work supervisor ordered the PMS-113 train conductor to retract the entire work train toward the section (turnouts No. 28 and No. 30 needed to be cleared for alignment by the UNIMAT machine).
At 5:35 PM, the PMS-113 train conductor transmitted the command to the shunting locomotive driver to retract the rolling stock toward the section, and at 5:36 PM, he confirmed that the track along the retraction route was clear.
In fact, the PMS-113 train maker was located near the hopper dispensers (which were not in the transport position) approximately 150 meters from the UK-25/28SP crane being reset.
As a result, at 5:37 PM, the work train being reset passed the red light of the M76 shunting signal, causing a collision at switch #10 between the UK-25/28SP crane and the 32nd car of freight train #2356D, arriving on track #11. The collision resulted in derailment and damage to four cars.
According to the explanations, the work supervisor and the Sergach station master were located near switch #28 (250 meters from the collision site) at the time of the collision.
It should be noted that previously (September 19, 2025), a derailment occurred on the Belenkaya - Putevoy Post section, 139 km of the Far Eastern Railway, during work performed during a technical "window" due to similar violations.
Operative Part
In order to prevent similar traffic safety violations:
1. The Central Control Center of the VP, D, DTS, and DS shall, within three days, organize a briefing for the employees involved regarding the collision that occurred on October 17, 2025, at the Sergach station of the Gorky Railway.
