Train driver told to ‘resume journey’ at normal speed by control centrepublished at 09:37 GMT
09:37 GMT
Image source, Reuters
Audio recordings published by Spanish news outlets, including El Pais and RTVE, reveal the conversations that took place between the two train’s drivers and the control centre in the Spanish capital ahead of the crash.
In one recording, a control centre operator tells the Renfe driver to resume its journey at normal speed after some technical issues.
“Continue your journey and then proceed under [Lateral Signalling Block], at normal speed with normal operation,” the control centre operator says to the driver.
The driver replies, “At normal speed?” To which the controller says: “Yes.”
The Lateral Signaling Block is a back-up or alternative train system used when the automatic signalling or data transmission system fails.
Later, the driver of the other Iryo train says in another audio recording that communication with the train-control system has been lost and they are stationary at Urda.
The train “is stationary in front of the entry signal at Urda”, the driver tells the control centre operator. After a series of exchanges, the driver is then told to “resume the journey” normally.
The Iryo driver then contacts the control centre again, according to a later recording, saying they cannot start the train. “The train won’t allow me to control the [security] system. That’s why I am still stopped in front of the entry signal,” they say.
The latter recording suggests that the controller had been notified that the Iryo train remained stationary as the Renfe train approached.