Grand Central train passengers injured on speeding train

A report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) found that on the morning of Thursday, May 4 last year a train driver on the 9.54am Grand Central service from Sunderland to London King’s Cross hit 66mph at Spital Junction, Peterborough. The maximum permitted speed over the junction is initially 30mph reducing to 25mph.

And, after the driver applied the emergency brake, the train came to a stop at Peterborough platform one when the train was not due to call at Peterborough.

The report states: 'The train did not derail and no damage was caused to the train or track. However, the train’s speed over the junction resulted in sudden sideways movements of the coaches. This led to some passengers being thrown from their seats, with some receiving minor injuries as a result.'

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

And they found that a similar incident occurred at the same location 13 months before this incident.

The driver involved in the incident under investigation booked on for duty remotely at 9.30am with Cross Country control and Grand Central normally rosters two drivers for the train.

At 11.21am the train arrived at York, one minute early, and the driver involved in the incident took over driving duties.

Inspectors found that the driver did not report the change of driver to Cross Country control as required by Grand Central procedures, stating that this was because 'they were distracted by clearing luggage from the aisles on the way to the cab'.

The report goes on to say: 'One driver will work the train from Sunderland to York, the other from York to London King’s Cross. This is to ensure adequate break times in London, before the return trip north. The other driver on the day of the incident drove the train from Sunderland to York while the incident driver travelled in one of the coaches.

'Following the incident, the other driver drove the train onwards from Peterborough to London King’s Cross station.'

The train stopped at the platform in Peterborough (Image: Supplied)

Grand Central has advised RAIB that since the incident they have retrained and reassessed the driver, who is now back on driving duty.

They have issued a safety operational notice to its drivers to highlight the importance of actively looking for all parts of a signal and discussed with drivers the factors which contributed to the speeding incidents.

Sean English, chief operating officer for Grand Central: “The safety of our customers and our colleagues will always be our number one priority, and we have fully supported and cooperated with RAIB throughout their investigation. 

“We have already taken action to address the recommendations and are working closely with Network Rail to help ensure that lessons are fully learnt, and that all necessary measures are taken to prevent similar incidents occurring again. 

“We would like to take this opportunity to apologise to all those on board our service that day, for what must have been a distressing experience.”