Taipei Times
Date: 2018/10/28
By: Chen Wei-ting, Wu Hsin-yun, Su Mu-chun and Shih Hsiu-chuan

Taipei, Oct. 28 (CNA) All 18 Puyuma express trains have been extensively tested in the

wake of the deadly derailment on Oct. 21 and no defect has been found that impacts the safety of the service, Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) said Sunday.

Every train has undergone testing for faults in its running gear, transmission devices, pantograph apparatus, power systems, protection systems, connectors, high-voltage insulators, extinguishers and auxiliary parts, to ensure their structural and operational integrity, TRA said in a text message, without providing further details.

The findings will be presented to the task force established by the Executive Yuan to investigate the derailment of Puyuma express No. 6432 in Yilan on Oct. 21 that left 18 people dead and 210 injured, TRA said.

However, fresh questions have been raised about the safety of Puyuma express trains, the fastest model operated by TRA, following the accident — the deadliest in nearly three decades — in the wake of numerous reports about mechanical glitches the trains have experienced in the past.    [FULL  STORY]