Investigators Probing Aug. 14 Derailment at Wickford in Essex

The U.K. Rail Accident Investigation Branch is examining what led up to a derailment at Wickford in Essex earlier this month.

At around 2:08 p.m. on Aug. 14, a passenger train derailed around 2.1 miles southeast of Wickford station, while traveling between Southend Victoria and London Liverpool Street.

The train, operated by Greater Anglia, was formed of two Class 720 electric multiple units coupled together, each consisting of five vehicles. The rearmost vehicle derailed, and its wheels subsequently ran on the sleepers and ballast for around 1.5 miles.

The train remained upright throughout, and there were no reported injuries to the 62 people estimated to be on board.

Preliminary analysis of the on-train data recorder, sometimes referred to as the black box, from the front vehicle indicates the train was traveling at around 77 mph when it derailed. The driver reported seeing a kink in the track which rocked the driving cab as the train passed over it. Forward-facing CCTV recovered from the train involved shows a misalignment in the track at the same location as the driver’s report and the point of derailment.

The train driver was reporting the track condition to the signaller when they received an emergency call from another train passing in the opposite direction, and they applied the train’s brakes.

The train involved in the accident sustained damage, and the train passing in the opposite direction received minor damage from flying ballast. There was significant damage caused to the track, signaling and overhead electrification equipment.

Investigators will also consider the actions of those involved and the factors that may have influenced them; the status of the track at this location and how it was maintained; the effectiveness of any mitigation measures to address the risk of operating trains in hot weather; the performance of the train during the derailment; and any underlying management factors.

The RAIB plans to publish its findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, once it has finished.