Rail Accident Investigation Branch
RAIB is investigating an incident which occurred at around 17:25 hrs on Saturday 7 March 2015, in which train reporting number 1Z67, the 16:35 hrs West Coast Railway Company Ltd (WCRC) charter service from Bristol Temple Meads to Southend, passed signal SN45 at danger (SPAD). The incident occurred on the approach to Wootton Bassett junction, Wiltshire. The train subsequently came to a stand across the junction.
The signal was being maintained at danger to protect the movement of a previous train. However, at the time that the SPAD occurred, this previous train had already passed through the junction and was continuing on its journey. No injuries, damage or derailment occurred as a result of the SPAD.
The web update document provides further information based on the evidence available to RAIB at this stage of the investigation.
Our investigation, which is independent of any investigation by the Office of Rail and Road, is now complete; formal consultation with interested parties will start shortly. We expect to publish the final report in April.
We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation. These findings will be available on our website.
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