A Newcastle-King’s Cross train operated by Lumo Class 803 EMU passed through Spital Junction, Peterborough, ‘close to’ a speed that would have led to it overturning on 17 April 2022, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has found.
In its investigation, it found that the 08.20 Newcastle-King’s Cross passed over three sets of points at the north end of Peterborough station at a speed of 76mph. The maximum speed over the junction is 30mph reducing to 25mph. Dynamic analysis undertaken by RAIB predicted a high risk of overturning at speeds of more than 75mph.
A similar instance of overspeeding at Spital Junction occurred on 4 May 2023 when a Grand Central train crossed over the points at around 65mph, causing minor injuries to at least one person.
RAIB found that the overspeeding was caused by the driver of the train not reacting appropriately to the signal indication received on approach to the junction. Although Lumo trains normally pass Peterborough non-stop on the Up Fast line, it was diverted into platform 1 to allow a late-running LNER service to pass.
When signal P468 changed from red to green with associated junction indicator, the driver applied full traction around 760 metres from the signal, reaching 65mph as it…
