Rail Accident Investigation Branch
At about 07:02 hrs on 26 October 2022, an empty coaching stock train was travelling on the down main line between Derby and Chesterfield on signals showing green proceed aspects, when it unexpectedly encountered a signal in the South Wingfield area displaying a red danger aspect. As the train was approaching the signal at 110 mph (177 km/h), it was unable to stop before the signal and passed it by about 760 metres. The driver called the signaller straight away to report the incident.
The signaller contacted the driver of the following passenger train on the down main line at 07:07 hrs, not long after this train had departed from Belper. The signaller instructed the driver of this train to proceed at a reduced speed due to the train ahead of it passing a signal at danger. At about 07:19 hrs, the train approached the signal that the previous train had passed at red. The signal was now displaying a yellow caution aspect. After passing the signal at a speed of about 20 mph (32 km/h), the driver of this following train saw the taillights of the first train, which was stationary ahead of it. He brought his train to a controlled stop, with the trains coming to stand about 75 metres apart in the same signal section.
The signal which was passed at red had been disconnected and reconnected the previous night as part of planned track maintenance work. Evidence available to RAIB is that it had been placed back into service after the work with a fault. This caused a wrong side failure, with the signals red and yellow aspects being displayed incorrectly.
Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industryor by the industrys regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.
We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation. This report will be available on our website.
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