The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has reported that on 2nd October an unattended freight train ran away from a platform at Liverpool Street station in London.

The incident happened at about 11:52 on 2nd October 2022, when an unattended freight train in platform 3 at the station ran away.

The signaller was alerted to the runaway when track sections in the throat of the station unexpectedly showed on the control panel diagram that they were occupied.

At the time of the incident, the part of the station that included platform 3 was under possession for engineering work. The unattended train travelled about 150 metres before it came to a stop within the possession limits. No one suffered injuries as a result of the incident, although a set of points that the train ran through were damaged.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has conducted a preliminary examination into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

After assessing the available evidence that has so far been gathered, it has decided to publish a safety digest, which will be made available on the Rail Accident Investigation Branch’s website in the next few weeks.