A report released by the Rail Accidents Investigation Branch (RAIB) has shed light on a harrowing incident that occurred in April 2022, revealing the grave risks involved. A Lumo train en route to London King’s Cross narrowly avoided overturning after passing over Spital Junction, north of Peterborough, at a speed of 76mph—more than double the speed limit of 30mph, which further reduces to 25mph. Passengers were thrown from their seats and struck by falling luggage, resulting in injuries.
Fortunately, no passengers sustained serious harm during the incident. However, the RAIB report emphasized that the outcome could have been far worse. The train was deemed to be “close to a speed that would have led to it overturning.” The report further suggested that some of the wheels of the train may have lifted off the rails. Falling luggage was responsible for roughly half of the passenger injuries.
Following the incident, the train made an unscheduled stop at Peterborough. Lumo considered evacuating the passengers, but an off-duty driver on board took control of the train and continued the journey to London.
Investigations conducted by the RAIB identified the immediate cause of the incident as the driver’s expectation of using a faster line, similar to previous journeys. However, the driver was routed onto the slower, diverging route, leading to excessive speed at the junction.
Several causal factors were identified in the report. It revealed that the driver did not respond appropriately to the junction indicator and lacked sufficient awareness of the signal conditions. The report also highlighted that Lumo had not adequately assessed the risks associated with unexpectedly routing trains onto slower, diverging routes. Additionally, Network Rail was found to lack sufficient control measures to prevent trains from accelerating towards diverging routes after receiving a “proceed” aspect.
The RAIB made four recommendations based on the report’s findings. Lumo was advised to review its processes to effectively control the risk of overspeeding at diverging junctions, while Network Rail should collaborate with operators to share information on associated risks and implement risk control measures at identified junctions. Furthermore, Lumo was urged to minimize the risk posed by falling luggage on its trains.
The report emphasized the importance of collaboration between Network Rail and train operating companies in understanding and mitigating risks at specific locations, considering the infrastructure configuration and driver expectations.
Lumo expressed gratitude for the RAIB report and stated that it had already implemented all recommended actions since the incident in April 2022. These measures include enhanced driver training and improved control and management of luggage on board their trains.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for vigilance and adherence to safety protocols within the railway industry. Ongoing efforts to assess and address risks are crucial in maintaining the safety of passengers and preventing potential catastrophes.
