Passengers were injured and luggage fell from the overhead storage units when a train passed through a Peterborough junction 50mph faster than the speed limit.  

While the train did not derail, and no damage was caused, a report released from accident investigators says it was close to a speed that would have led it to overturning. 

The wheels are also likely to have lifted off the rails.  

Details of the incident from 2022 have been revealed today (Monday) by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB). 

It says at around 10:20am on April 17, a Lumo service from Newcastle to London King’s Cross passed over three sets of points at the Spital Junction, north of Peterborough.  

The maximum speed over the junction is initially 30mph reducing to 25mph – but the data recorder from the train found there were points where it was travelling at 76mph.  

Andrew Hall, Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents said: “The overspeeding incident at Spital Junction in April 2022, led to a number of minor injuries.   

“Some passengers were thrown from their seats and some hit by luggage falling from overhead racks.   

“However, the outcome could have been much worse, as analysis showed the train was close to overturning.” 

RAIB’s investigation found that the overspeeding was caused by the driver of train 1Y80 not reacting appropriately to the signal when approaching the junction.   

This was a warning that the train was to take a diverging route ahead which had a lower speed limit than the straight-ahead route which they were expecting to take.   

The investigation found the driver’s awareness of the signal conditions leading up to the junction, and their training, had not been sufficient.  

RAIB also found that Lumo had not assessed and controlled the risk associated with trains being unexpectedly routed on a slower, diverging route at this location and the driver had not been adequately trained to prepare for this possibility. 

Network Rail had also neither assessed nor effectively controlled the risk of overspeeding at locations where there is a long distance between the signal and the junction itself.  

The investigation also found that half of the passenger injuries were as a result of falling luggage that had been stowed in the overhead luggage racks. 

Meanwhile, it was also noted a similar speeding incident happened earlier this year. 

Following the investigation, the RAIB has made four key recommendation.  

Lumo has been advised to review its processes to ensure that it effectively controls the risk of overspeeding at diverging junctions, such as Spital junction.  

The operator must also minimise the risk of luggage falling from the overhead storage. 

A spokesperson for Lumo says it has already implemented the recommended actions and apologised to passengers who were travelling on the service at the time.  

He said: “The report also highlights that there were a number of factors that caused the incident, and there are now a number of important lessons for all rail operators to learn, which we fully support.  

“A separate train operator experienced a similar incident at the same location this year, so it’s important that the industry heeds the advice in this report and ensures drivers are fully aware of the particular characteristics of this junction at Peterborough, and others like it.  

“We are working closely with industry partners, including other operators and Network Rail, to play our part in this. 

RAIB also recommended Network Rail identifies junctions where there is greater potential for overspeeding and work with operators to share information on potential risks.  

Network Rail has been approached for comment.