The driver of a train that derailed in Essex while travelling at 77mph had reported seeing a “kink” in the track, an investigation has found.
The Greater Anglia train derailed south of Wickford station, Essex, on August 14 with an estimated 62 passengers onboard on its way to London Liverpool Street.
There were no reported injuries and the train remained upright throughout the incident.
Its rear carriage derailed and was dragged across sleepers and ballast for around 1.5 miles, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said in an update into its probe into the incident on Friday.
The RAIB said the driver had been “in the process of reporting the track condition” when they braked after receiving an emergency call from another train passing in the opposite direction.
The RAIB said: “Preliminary analysis of the on-train data recorder (sometimes referred to as ‘the black box’) obtained from the front vehicle recorded that the train was travelling at around 77mph (124 km/h) 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 that derailed “sustained damage” while the one passing in the opposite direction received “minor damage from flying ballast,” investigators said.
“There was significant damage caused to the track, signalling and overhead electrification equipment,” the RAIB added.
The investigator said its probe will look at factors including “the effectiveness of any mitigation measures to address the risk of operating trains in hot weather”.
Events leading up to and during the derailment, as well as the actions of those involved, the status and maintenance of the track and the performance of the train during the incident will also be considered.
Jamie Burles, GBR Anglia managing director said the company was continuing to support the investigation and added: “While the line between Wickford and Shenfield has now reopened, we are very sorry for the disruption this incident caused to our passengers and our local community.
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