The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) are to investigate an incident which occurred at Sileby Junction in Leicestershire.

On the 5th of May around 05:29 a maintenance train used to re-profile the rails was travelling on the down slow line near Sileby. It passed a red signal by about 350 metres.

Travelling in the other direction was a train of empty coaches and was crossing the down slow line to move from the up fast to the up slow line.

The train of empty coaches passed over the junction less than 10 seconds before the rail grinding train fouled the junction.

A preliminary examination by the RAIB found no technical faults with the signalling equipment or trains. The driver of the rail grinding train applied the brakes and the train protection and warning system (TPWS) also applied the brakes, but the train did not stop within the safe overrun distance and so reached the junction.

The RAIB will investigate the events which led to the incident and will consider

• The management of the grinding train driver’s competence and fitness
• The design of the signalling on the Leicester to Loughborough section of line
• The effectiveness of TPWS in circumstances where train braking rates are lower than those used in calculations relating to the design of the system
• Any relevant underlying factors, including the rail industry’s response to RAIB’s recommendations made in previous reports involving train driver fatigue management

Their report will be published once the investigations are complete.

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