Report of collision Bedford (Elstow) - 19/06/26

[800001]

Signalling must've been working, since why else would the collision have been so minor (considering what could've happened)?

The collision does not look minor from the pictures that I have seen.

 

[Intercity_225]

The NR website (https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service-disruptions/luton-20260619/) states disruption will continue until the end of the day. If this is true, and everything gets cleared up in 6 hours, all I'll have to say is wow!

 

[dk1]

Photo above shows one wheel set off the rails.

Good spot but wonder if that was impact related rather than a cause. Again to much speculation.

 

[richardderby]

810015 according to the Telegraph..
[URL 'Quote' daily telegraph.co.uk news.. unfurl="true"]https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/19/two-emr-trains-collide-near-bedford/[/URL]

 

[SomeTrainboy]

The NR website (https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service-disruptions/luton-20260619/) states disruption will continue until the end of the day. If this is true, and everything gets cleared up in 6 hours, all I'll have to say is wow!

To be fair, once all the passengers are evacuated, they could operated single line working on the up slow, or maybe full working on both slows.

 

[dosxuk]

Radio Two travel bulletin just said to check trains tomorrow as they've been told it could still be on going in the morning.

 

[Mattplans]

Keep hearing reports of a derailment.

If 1B67 derailed, could that foul the track circuit? Causing the signalling system to think there's no train there and giving 1H46 a proceed aspect?

 

[800001]

810015 according to the Telegraph..

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/19/two-emr-trains-collide-near-bedford/

It is 810015 as it is identified in the pictures posted earlier in the group

 

[devon_belle]

BNO News Live (@BNODesk) on X

WATCH: Aftermath of train crash near Bedford, England. Reports of serious injuries

x.com

Video on twitter shows damage to EMR 360 is quite extensive.

 

[thenorthern]

The NR website (https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service-disruptions/luton-20260619/) states disruption will continue until the end of the day. If this is true, and everything gets cleared up in 6 hours, all I'll have to say is wow!

I agree I can't see the line reopening until at least tomorrow afternoon.

 

[westcoaster]

Im guessing the signal visible it the one between the A421 underpass and Elstow stone siding.
Luckily right near the fire station and hospital.

Thoughts and prayers to all involved.

 

[43096]

The collision does not look minor from the pictures that I have seen.

Indeed. The 360 was up to a fair speed before it hit the 810, given the level of damage.

 

[Failed Unit]

Radio Two travel bulletin just said to check trains tomorrow as they've been told it could still be on going in the morning.

Isn’t the line closed anyway tomorrow for Engineering works?

 

[800001]

If 1B67 derailed, could that foul the track circuit? Causing the signalling system to think there's no train there and giving 1H46 a proceed aspect?

The early reports doing the rounds from Logs (before they were closed to essential people only) 1B67 stopped to report an AWS fault. Then 1H46 collided from rear.

 

[Watto1990]

Some very distressing footage from inside the 360 circulating on social media. Hoping for no fatalities.

 

[Haywain]

But that wouldn’t affect the signalling and unless isolated TPWS would’ve kicked in.

If I’m honest I’m quite annoyed at myself for speculating as not my style.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Jun 2026 ==


Previous signal to the 810 should've been at danger though.

That would be on the through lines. The 360 will have come out of a platform. Still something odd about all that though.

 

[GEC465]

Looks like the 360 is a write off

RIP to the driver

 

[800001]

BNO News Live (@BNODesk) on X

WATCH: Aftermath of train crash near Bedford, England. Reports of serious injuries

x.com

Video on twitter shows damage to EMR 360 is quite extensive.

Now that has been shown, this is a picture I was sent attached below showing the damage to 360.

 

[thenorthern]

Isn’t the line closed anyway tomorrow for Engineering works?

It is from Bedford yes.

 

[357]

Signalling must've been working, since why else would the collision have been so minor (considering what could've happened)?

The photos and videos I have seen do not look like a minor collision - the 360 was doing some speed.

 

[Mattplans]

Clearer image:

 

[ainsworth74]

There's a video circulating on social media which shows the inside of one of the carriages and shows footage of passengers with extremely bloody faces and other injuries. I would ask that that is not shared on the Forum. It doesn't need to be circulated more widely as it doesn't tell us anything useful and those injured deserve at least some privacy.

 

[fgwrich]

BNO News Live (@BNODesk) on X

WATCH: Aftermath of train crash near Bedford, England. Reports of serious injuries

x.com

Video on twitter shows damage to EMR 360 is quite extensive.

Ouch, I wonder if that’ll be the end of that 360 then. Given how tight the EMR 360 fleet is, I wonder if this could lead to any of the remaining /2s being considered?

Also noticeable is the twist between the cab and saloon on the 810 too.

The main thing is, I hope all involved make a safe and speedy recovery whatever the cause is.

 

[Pete_uk]

Thoughts to those involved.

As another poster says, that's a significant impact.

 

[LAX54]

So, if 1st train stopped to report AWS fault, and then another hits from the rear, at a fair speed, to me, that points towards a signalling fault ?

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Maybe the 360 also had the AWS fault and the driver (for some reason) couldn't stop for the red signal.

As the 1H was crossing over I would imagine its under some approach control but these are still high speed crossovers but no idea what sighting you get to next signal on the Up Fast.

 

[BHMGuard]

From @politicsUK on Twitter:

UPDATE: Bedford hospital is reportedly expecting at least 50 casualties following the train crash between Bedford and Luton

Appeals have been sent to staff to come in for "all hands on deck" with expected "potential fatalities"

Via The Times

 

[flitwickbeds]

Can someone explain what AWS is, please?

 

[43096]

Ouch, I wonder if that’ll be the end of that 360 then.

Looking at the damage to at least three vehicles of the 360, I would say that is a write off. It may well be the rear 810 car is easiest replaced by building a new one...

 

[Trainguy34]

Can someone explain what AWS is, please?

From my understanding, Automatic Warning System is the system that alerts the driver when the next signal is an restrictive aspect (Double Yellow, Yellow or Red), so a fault could lead to the driver not noticing these and potentially a crash occuring as a result of a SPAD (Signal Passed at Danger).