Last year, on 28 February 2025, an unprecedented incident occurred at Hustopeče nad Bečvou, when a freight train with over 1 000 tonnes of benzene derailed and caught fire. The event caused significant damage to the environment, infrastructure, and rolling stock. Extensive destruction complicated the already demanding work of the Rail Safety Inspection in investigating the causes and course of the accident.
Although there were indications of the possible derailment course, it could not be conclusively proven. Therefore, the Inspection commissioned VÚKV a.s. to perform a computational study of the accident to clarify unresolved aspects of vehicle-track interaction. A highly detailed simulation model (Multi‑body System) was developed, including a dynamic model of the Y 25 bogie and even liquid sloshing in the tank.
The turnout model on the derailment place contained all key structural elements. The simulations provided to the Inspection deeper insight into vehicle behaviour and showed when dynamic effects and vehicle-turnout interaction led to its overturning.
