A fatigued driver is thought to almost caused two trains to collide - with officials noting just 10 seconds separated the engines from disaster. The findings made by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) follow investigations into the near miss at Sileby Junction, near Melton, when a rail grinding train and an empty passenger train almost collided in May 2021.
Detailed investigations into the near-miss have now concluded that fatigue is thought to have played a part in the incident, with the RAIB’s report making clear how the trains were just seconds away from colliding. A detailed breakdown of the day’s events stated that the empty passenger train, which was not in service at time, was moving from Etches Park in Derby onto Melton just before 5am when it was approaching signal LR477 at Sileby Junction, Leicestershire Live reports.
At the same time, the grinding train, which is made up of machines used for reprofiling the rails, was travelling in the opposite direction, heading towards Chaddesden Yard in Derby. By the time it reached signal LR477, the empty passenger train was also in the same area.
