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Last 1 datys!
The initial investigation report into the fatal train accident near Bedford provided some details on what happened but left several key questions unanswered.
First, though an apology. I had mistakenly thought that the junction where the train moved from the slow line to the fast one was protected by the Train Protection and Warning System introduced widely across the network following the 1999 Ladbroke Grove disaster.
However, this was not the case as it is a section of plain line deemed of little risk. Interestingly a senior rail executive with experience of the area rang me to say this was a hazardous junction because of the subsequent curve and therefore should have been protected.
The report did confirm that there had been a spade, a signal passed at danger but so far, the investigators have not managed to ascertain whether the driver received the standard horn sign emitted when a train passes a yellow or red.
We know the signal was red but not whether the AWS sounded. We also know the brakes were applied for 9 secs reducing the speed from 75mph to 49mph at the time of the collision but not whether this was automatic or the result of the driver’s action. These gaps are the result of the investigation team not being able to extract the information from the data recorder but it is expected they will eventually be able to do so.
The next report is likely to be out in a few months’ time and will be eagerly awaited in an industry shocked by this accident.
Oh dear, more apologies due after this article 🙈. Thought you were better than this.