Connect with us

News

WATCH: Speeding train through Peterborough ‘close to overturning’

Avatar photo

Published

on

An incident in which an over speeding training near Peterborough caused luggage to fall from overhead racks and passengers thrown from their seat, could have been “much worse” says a rail regulator report.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released its finding into the incident at Spital Junction, Peterborough, in April 2022.

Andrew Hall, Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents said: “The over speeding incident at Spital junction in April 2022, led to a number of minor injuries. Some passengers were thrown from their seats and some hit by luggage falling from overhead racks.

“However, the outcome could have been much worse, as analysis showed the train was close to overturning.”

He said that a similar event occurred at the same junction in May 2023, “albeit a little slower and involving a train operated by a different train operating company”.

Andrew Hall, Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents said: “The outcome could have been much worse, as analysis showed the train was close to overturning.” RAIB findings into incident at Spital Junction, Peterborough, in April 2022.

Andrew Hall, Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents said: “The outcome could have been much worse, as analysis showed the train was close to overturning.” RAIB findings into incident at Spital Junction, Peterborough, in April 2022.

Mr Hall said: “As designed, the signal protecting the junction cleared from red to green and displayed an indicator showing which way the junction was set as the train approached.

Advertisements
canopyuk.com in-article

“The risk associated with a train then accelerating to an excessive speed over the associated diverging junction, when the driver has an expectation of taking a through route with a much higher permissible speed, had previously been illustrated when a light locomotive derailed in similar circumstances at Bletchley in February 2012.

“The risk associated with particular junctions and drivers, varies with infrastructure configuration and driver expectation.

“It is therefore absolutely necessary that Network Rail and train operating companies work together to mutually understand and sufficiently mitigate risks of this type at specific locations, accounting for the rolling stock and operations involved.”

Summary by RAIB of incident

At around 10:20 hrs on 17 April 2022, the 08:20 hrs Lumo service from Newcastle to London King’s Cross, passed over three sets of points at Spital Junction at the northern approach to Peterborough station at excessive speed.

The maximum permitted speed over the junction is initially 30 mph (48 km/h) reducing to 25 mph (40 km/h).

The data recorder from the train indicated that the points had been traversed at a speed of 76 mph (122 km/h).

Andrew Hall, Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents said: “The outcome could have been much worse, as analysis showed the train was close to overturning.” RAIB findings into incident at Spital Junction, Peterborough, in April 2022.

Andrew Hall, Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents said: “The outcome could have been much worse, as analysis showed the train was close to overturning.” RAIB findings into incident at Spital Junction, Peterborough, in April 2022.

The speed of the train over the junction resulted in sudden sideways movements of the coaches. This led to some passengers being thrown from their seats and luggage falling from the overhead storage, with some passengers receiving minor injuries.

Although the train did not derail, and no damage was caused, post-incident analysis has indicated that the train was close to a speed that would have led to it overturning, and it was likely that some of the wheels of the vehicles lifted off the rails.

RAIB’s investigation found that the over speeding was caused by the driver of train 1Y80 not reacting appropriately to the signal indication they had received on approach to the junction.

This signal indication was a warning that the train was to take a diverging route ahead which had a lower speed limit than the straight-ahead route which they were expecting to take.

The driver’s awareness of the signal conditions that could be presented on approach to this junction and their training were not sufficient to overcome this expectation.

Andrew Hall, Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents said: “The outcome could have been much worse, as analysis showed the train was close to overturning.” RAIB findings into incident at Spital Junction, Peterborough, in April 2022.

Andrew Hall, Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents said: “The outcome could have been much worse, as analysis showed the train was close to overturning.” RAIB findings into incident at Spital Junction, Peterborough, in April 2022.

Platform CCTV image of the train passing through Peterborough station at around 10.20 hours on 17 April 2022 (Photo courtesy of LNER)

Platform CCTV image of the train passing through Peterborough station at around 10.20 hours on 17 April 2022 (Photo courtesy of LNER)

RAIB found that Lumo had not assessed and controlled the risk associated with trains being unexpectedly routed on a slower, diverging route at this location and that it had not adequately trained the driver to prepare for this eventuality.

Network Rail had also neither assessed nor effectively controlled the risk of over speeding at locations where there is a long distance between the protecting signal and the junction itself. The investigation also found that half of the passenger injuries were as a result of falling luggage that had been stowed in the overhead luggage racks.

Recommendations

RAIB has made four recommendations.

The first recommendation is for Lumo to review its processes to ensure that it effectively controls the risk of over speeding at diverging junctions.

The second recommendation asks Network Rail to identify junctions where there is a greater potential for over speeding to occur and to work with operators to share information on the associated risks.

The third recommendation asks Network Rail and train operators to consider and implement risk control measures at those junctions identified in the second recommendation.

The fourth recommendation is intended to ensure that Lumo minimises the risks from falling luggage on its services.

RAIB has also identified two learning points. These relate to the need for drivers to maintain alertness when approaching junction signals and that train operator emergency plans should specifically include processes to deal with the aftermath of over speeding incidents.

May 2023 over speeding incident

At around 13:00 hrs on 4 May 2023, another over speeding incident occurred at the same location involving a Grand Central service.

As a result, RAIB issued urgent safety advice to the industry and announced its intention to investigate this second incident.

Can you help us?

While you’re here, we are asking, for the first time, for readers to support us financially by taking out a modest subscription.

£2, or £3 or even £5 will help us achieve our goals. It will mean the second year of CambsNews will be livelier, healthier, and much better placed to cover the important issues affecting our everyday lives.

Your subscription simply means we can provide and expand our news FREE to all readers (Read More)

Will you help us? Simply click the link below to make a donation.

Facebook

Read More

Mia Hanson took part of her Bayeux Tapestry to Wisbech Corn Exchange Conservation Trust's exhibition hall on Saturday: she was able to display almost 16 metres of tapestry. The walls were lined with photos and information about The Corn Exchange. Mia Hanson took part of her Bayeux Tapestry to Wisbech Corn Exchange Conservation Trust's exhibition hall on Saturday: she was able to display almost 16 metres of tapestry. The walls were lined with photos and information about The Corn Exchange.
News12 hours ago

Mia’s Bayeux Tapestry replica lights up a wet and windy day in Wisbech

Her ambition is to faithfully recreate the tapestry - all 68.38 metres of it

The latest outburst by the MP Paul Bristow came in a column for the online Peterborough Today website in which he said: “Mark my words - road charging is the plan”. The latest outburst by the MP Paul Bristow came in a column for the online Peterborough Today website in which he said: “Mark my words - road charging is the plan”.
News1 day ago

Peterborough: MP Bristow refuses to let go of road charging fantasy despite it being comprehensively dismissed by new council leader

Cllr Farooq dismisses everything the MP has to say on the matter

Ben and Sarah Dodkin, accompanied by their children Finley, Arthur, and Harrison, were among special guests invited to the Princess of Wales Christmas concert. The family’s efforts to raise awareness of Batten’s Disease prompted the VIP invite Ben and Sarah Dodkin, accompanied by their children Finley, Arthur, and Harrison, were among special guests invited to the Princess of Wales Christmas concert. The family’s efforts to raise awareness of Batten’s Disease prompted the VIP invite
News1 day ago

Princess of Wales Christmas concert ‘truly a unique and very special memory maker’

Both Finley and Harrison, the Dodkin’s sons, are registered blind due to this rare neurological disease

Cllr Alex Bulat “never thought or planned to be a local politician”. Cllr Alex Bulat “never thought or planned to be a local politician”.
News2 days ago

Romanian born councillor hopes to be Labour’s choice to be Huntingdon MP

'I moved to the UK from Romania in 2012; I was 18 years old'

Hansel and Gretel is at Cambridge Junction until New Year’s Eve Hansel and Gretel is at Cambridge Junction until New Year’s Eve
News2 days ago

REVIEW: Brilliant Hansel and Gretel children’s show ‘an absolute scream for adults’

This is a fun, fast-paced show with plenty of audience participation

One of the failures of Neale-Wade, says Ofsted, is for ‘behaviour and attitudes” which inspectors observed during their two-day inspection on October 31 and November 1, 2023. One of the failures of Neale-Wade, says Ofsted, is for ‘behaviour and attitudes” which inspectors observed during their two-day inspection on October 31 and November 1, 2023.
News2 days ago

Ofsted again finds Neale-Wade Academy March ‘requires improvement’

Critical Ofsted report has some glimmers of hope

Investments include a series of system upgrades as well as five new rigid trucks and ten new fork lifts Investments include a series of system upgrades as well as five new rigid trucks and ten new fork lifts
Business2 days ago

£1m investment to kick start New Year for Masters of Stretham near Ely

Cracking start to 2024 for Cambridgeshire logistics company

Kyle Spiers jailed Kyle Spiers jailed
Crime2 days ago

Paedophile voyeur’s ‘incredible arrogance and disregard for the law’

A mobile phone was seized which contained footage Spires had filmed of a child covertly

Christmas party venue at Lode – December 7 will be decision day for licensing by East Cambridgeshire District Council Christmas party venue at Lode – December 7 will be decision day for licensing by East Cambridgeshire District Council
News3 days ago

Lodestar site near Cambridge wins approval for large scale Christmas parties  

The licence approved for the site allows for up to 28 events

Stefan Hague, 33, of Hyde, Greater Manchester, barged through the door at the victim’s Peterborough home and refused to leave. Stefan Hague, 33, of Hyde, Greater Manchester, barged through the door at the victim’s Peterborough home and refused to leave.
Crime3 days ago

Rapist still covered in Peterborough victim’s blood as police arrived to arrest him

Detective Sergeant Matt Lauch said: “Hague is an extremely dangerous individual"