Bad train crash

[Mups]

A nasty train crash near Bedford yesterday.
The driver died,  and many more were injured.  
I think they are still investigating the cause.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr7xzg93ddxo

[klondike]

Two trains on the track at the same time pretty much has to be a signalling failure I think.

[Ashy]

A train running at significant speed ran into the back of a stationary train.

Whilst I agree that it could be a signal failure it could also be a driver's error, or although less likely, a technical fault or operational circumstance on the train which prevented it from stopping.

We don't expect this sort of thing in the 21st century do we? And yet it still happens in railways and aviation. Two industries which take accidents very seriously and always try to prevent them.

[Mups]

I haven't heard anything about why the first train had stopped and was blocking the track?
Seems an odd thing to do?    
Bit like us stopping on the fast lane of a motorway.

[klondike]

Whilst I agree that it could be a signal failure it could also be a driver's error,

I thought there were safeguards if a signal was missed.

I haven't heard anything about why the first train had stopped and was blocking the track?
Seems an odd thing to do?   

Trains do stop during journeys. They are signalled to do so until the path ahead is clear. That's probably why that one was.

There's no point me guessing though as I don't know much about the system and nothing about this incident. It will come out in the investigation fairly quickly I imagine. Several papers pictured the driver who is well beyond the first flush - perhaps they suspect something. I'd be more inclined to suspect a system failure somewhere though as it is supposed to have numerous safeguards.

[muddy]

Onlookers say there was no noise of braking so the driver obviously thought the track was clear .
I suspect it's something Technical gone wrong .
It very sad 
For the driver his time had come 
Hie story is over .

[Ashy]

I thought there were safeguards if a signal was missed.

Not on every signal. A device was invented around 1999 and was widely installed, but the places where it was installed were subject to risk assessment. Signals placed along lines where there are no points or junctions do not normally qualify - it's the driver's job to observe signals and stop the train. I gather this was such a signal.

I understand from another forum that the stationary train had stopped to report a fault. It may or may not have any bearing on the tragic accident.

There should be data recordings and possibly CCTV of activity, which will help the investigators determine what happened.