Lessons Learned: Rail Overspeeding

This Lessons Learned from RAIB (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) concerns rail overspeeding; it occurred near Manor Park, UK.

The example of this overspeeding incident demonstrates the importance of:

• transport undertakings ensuring that route risk assessments identify the opportunities needed for drivers to effectively refresh their route knowledge, particularly where there are alternative routings available
• infrastructure managers ensuring that lineside signs are positioned in the correct location and that they are visible to staff and remain legible at all times

At around 08:11, train reporting number 9W38, the 06:50 passenger service from Heathrow Terminal 5 to Shenfield, operated by MTR Elizabeth line, passed over a set of points east of Manor Park station, East London, while travelling at a speed of 45 mph (72 km/h). This was above the permissible maximum speed for this set of points, which is 25 mph (40 km/h). The train had been diverted to pass over this junction from its originally booked route because of a track circuit failure.

Passing over the points at this speed caused the train to jolt sideways. Although there were no reported injuries, CCTV footage from inside the train shows that the sudden movement resulted in some passengers losing their footing and that at least one passenger fell to the floor.

The train did not derail during the incident and no damage was caused to the infrastructure or to the vehicles involved. After the incident occurred the train continued on its journey.

Learn more about this overspeeding incident here.

Content credit: Rail Accident Investigation Branch, “Overspeeding Near Manor Park, 24 September 2024,” published 27 January, 2025.