Southeastern Train Overshot Station by 2 Miles

A major investigation has been launched into why a commuter train overshot a station by more than 2 miles due to leaves on the rails. The Southern train sped through a station at 65mph and then halted after going over a level crossing. This incident occurred on November 8 on a Hastings journey.


The driver, who was terrified in the incident, contacted signal control immediately so the alarm would be raised. He said that he put on the brakes while approaching Stonegate station, but the train wouldn’t slow down. The level crossing was closed to pedestrians and cars at the time and no red signals were on the route.


Rail bosses are shocked about the incident but grateful no one got hurt. A senior source has been quoted saying that the thought of what could have happened at the level crossing is too terrible to imagine.


The Rail Accident Investigation Branch said that the train encountered poor adhesion conditions as the driver applied the brakes for a scheduled stop – while going 65mph. When the train did stop, it was 2.45 miles past the station, they explained. The investigation will find out why the train didn’t stop as normal, the agency continued, and will examine the arrangements for the maintenance and servicing of rail head sanding equipment on trains used on the line.


A separate investigation has been launched by Southeastern and Network Rail, which is responsible for the tracks. A spokesman for the rail operator noted that the train was cleared with green signals for the route ahead.

Story provided by: news.carrentals.co.uk