(C) Rob Hodgkins
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has confirmed details of an overspeeding incident involving a London North Eastern Railway (LNER) service at Grantham South Junction on 25 February 2025, once again highlighting persistent safety concerns associated with diverging turnouts on high-speed lines.
At approximately 08:25, train 1A12 – the 07:00 Hull to London King’s Cross service – passed through Grantham South Junction at a speed of around 55 mph (87 km/h), more than double the permitted 25 mph (40 km/h) speed limit for the diverging route it was taking. The train had just departed from a scheduled stop at Grantham station when the overspeed occurred.
The signal ahead of the junction was correctly indicating a diverging movement onto a parallel slow line, but the train did not reduce speed in line with the restriction. While no passengers were reported injured, onboard staff sustained minor injuries due to the sudden and excessive lateral forces experienced during the movement through the junction.
RAIB carried out a preliminary examination and found strong similarities with previous overspeeding incidents at Spital Junction, Peterborough in 2022 and 2023. Both earlier cases involved trains failing to sufficiently slow when switching to diverging routes at speed-critical junctions, despite clear signal indications.
In those investigations, RAIB made multiple recommendations to improve safety at similar junctions. However, some recommendations remain open, and this latest event underscores the ongoing risk posed by relying solely on driver reaction to route indicators, particularly on high-speed lines with low-speed diverging movements.
RAIB stated:
“This incident again illustrates the issues associated with relying completely on train drivers reacting appropriately to a junction or route indicator to control the risks presented by trains taking diverging low-speed turnouts on high-speed through routes. This risk may be increased by the introduction of higher-performing train fleets, and possibly by routing patterns on an ever-busier railway.”
While the incident will not lead to a full investigation or new report, RAIB has formally written to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), urging it to consider the incident when reviewing industry responses to its past recommendations.
The letter has also been shared with Network Rail, LNER, and the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), to ensure all relevant parties are aware and can reflect the findings in their ongoing safety management efforts.
