The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has released preliminary details of a collision between a Class 800 train and an HST (high speed train) as they were approaching Neville Hill depot in Leeds.
Class 800 train.
The incident happened at about 21:40 on Wednesday 13 November 2019. An empty passenger train approaching the maintenance depot caught up and collided with the rear of another empty passenger train moving into the depot on the same track. The leading train was travelling at around 5mph (8km/h) and the colliding train at around 14mph (22km/h). No one was injured in the accident.
According the the RAIB, the low speed movement of trains close together is permitted by the signalling system at this location.
The front train was an HST set made up of nine Mark 3 coaches with a class 43 locomotive at each end. The trailing class 43 locomotive on this train suffered significant damage in the accident.
Class 800 train derailed.
The train that collided with it was a nine-coach Class 800 train, part of the Intercity Express Programme (IEP). Its leading end suffered significant damage during the collision.
As a result of the collision, the trailing bogie of the second and third coaches and the trailing axle of the fourth coach on the Class 800 train derailed to the right in the direction of travel.
The RAIB has said that it will now conduct a full investigation to identify the sequence of events which led to the accident and the factors that contributed to its consequences, considering in particular:
- The actions, training and competence of the staff involved;
- The design and validation of the class 800 train, including the ergonomics of its cab, its crashworthiness performance and its resistance to derailment in collision scenarios;
- Any underlying factors.
The findings of the investigation will be published in due course – RAIB investigations typically take around 10 months to conclude.
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