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

[chris89]

Gladly shows the strengths of modern rolling stock. Although hopefully won't be any casualities though.

 

[Starmill]

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!

That's just a selection from a preset list, no doubt done in a hurry.

 

[Intercity_225]

MP for the area is just saying on BBC News that this area should be easily accessed by emergency services.

 

[S101]

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 ?

Not necessarily. Could be anything. Signal passed at danger, anything at all.

 

[milooo]

BBC reports that the RAIB (Rail Accident Investigation Board) are on site

 

[Kilopylae]

That's just a selection from a preset list, no doubt done in a hurry.

I assume, in most circumstances, the most severe option, too. Read it less as disruption will be sorted by tomorrow and more, disruption will not be clearing up any time soon.

 

[ainsworth74]

If you're just joining the thread it would appreciated if you would skim what has already been posted to avoid unnecessary duplication of posts.

It would also be appreciated if Forum Members would ensure that they treat each other with respective and avoid resorting to sarcasm or other sorts of rudeness please. A little forbearance with your fellow members goes a long way.

I'm also currently flying solo so it helps me with this extremely busy thread if we can try and keep this civil and avoid duplication of content where possible!

 

[Dave W]

Philip Haigh on an interview on Sky. Cathy Newman (the presenter) has had the decency to ask "just how safe are UK railways" - which is an easy response for the industry. I hope everything works out here. I fear for the handling of stranded passengers on powerless trains - it could be a long evening.

 

[Intercity_225]

From Heidi Alexander:

I’m deeply concerned to hear reports of the collision involving 2 East Midlands Railway passenger trains. I’m grateful to emergency services who are on the scene, attending to those affected. We're working quickly with the rail industry and local partners to support passengers.

 

[bigmanaiq]

What is 1Z01 for? I saw it on Traksy earlier. Is it a rescue train or a VSTP passenger service?

 

[150249]

That 360 looks like hell. The impact from that must have been massive to do that much damage to the ends of the coaches.

 

[Intercity_225]

What's happening with the other trains in the area? Are they being evacuated at the moment?

 

[Trainguy34]

What is 1Z01 for? I saw it on Traksy earlier. Is it a rescue train or a VSTP passenger service?

Likely a VSTP Passenger service, I just saw a 1Z04 appear at Leicester and I believe your 1Z01 is at Long Eaton, so doubtful that it is not a passenger service.

 

[800001]

What is 1Z01 for? I saw it on Traksy earlier. Is it a rescue train or a VSTP passenger service?

Where? Heading which direction?

Could be a stranded train returning to where it came from.

Could be a train to collect the passengers evacuated from the incident trains.

Could be taking emergency personnel to the train

Many scenarios

 

[Steve Harris]

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.

Not quite...

Google maps shoes that Ampthill Road is really busy between Bedford Bypass (A421) and Kempston Hardwick.

The crash is somewhere between the A421 and Elstow Sidings. So about a mile or so from Kempston Fire Station and about 2 miles from Bedford Hospital.

As a side note, it's a shame the journalist on the BBC said it was a head on crash... speculation at it's worst.

Thoughts and prayers with all involved.

 

[Camberman]

With the RAIB investigating, examining and collecting evidence at the location and at signalling centres etc, I'm thinking it may not be possible to run even a restricted service past the scene for some time, perhaps even a matter of days.

I'm not experienced in rail investigations so would be pleased to hear from suitably qualified persons to comment.

With thoughts and best wishes to all those involved or affected in any way.

 

[800001]

What's happening with the other trains in the area? Are they being evacuated at the moment?

They will start being turned around and head back in direction they came from.

 

[bramling]

That 360 looks like hell. The impact from that must have been massive to do that much damage to the ends of the coaches.

The carriage ends will be deliberately designed to crumple in a controlled way, and if the first train was stopped with brakes full on then there will have been a lot of energy to dissipate. It’s not clear from the pictures if the damage on the 360 has gone beyond the crumple zones.

 

[bigmanaiq]

Likely a VSTP Passenger service, I just saw a 1Z04 appear at Leicester and I believe your 1Z01 is at Long Eaton, so doubtful that it is not a passenger service.

Thanks

 

[A S Leib]

The London Northwestern Railway website's saying no services between Bedford and Bedford St. Johns, with ticket acceptance for Stagecoach replacement buses.

 

[Thumper1127]

Two more air ambulances just arrived on scene (looking at a plane app)

 

[43096]

That 360 looks like hell. The impact from that must have been massive to do that much damage to the ends of the coaches.

That is what the train is designed to do in a collision of greater force. Notably the doors and windows are all intact so the passenger "survival space" has not been compromised. Once we get more information on speed, casualties etc we may well be thanking the Siemens engineers who designed the 360 that it performed as it did.

 

[Trainguy34]

Where? Heading which direction?

Could be a stranded train returning to where it came from.

Could be a train to collect the passengers evacuated from the incident trains.

Could be taking emergency personnel to the train

Many scenarios

Currently near Long Eaton, heading towards Derby.
Stranded trains would presumably be running ECS as 5Zxx.

Since it's running in the opposite direction quite far up the MML I'd be shocked if it is an evac or emergency personnel train.

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

Looks roughly to be next to the B&M Distribution Centre judging by where the Air Ambulances took off from.

 

[Thumper1127]

Two more air ambulances just arrived on scene (looking at a plane app)

London air ambulance just took off from site

 

[800001]

Currently near Long Eaton, heading towards Derby.
Stranded trains would presumably be running ECS as 5Zxx.

Since it's running in the opposite direction quite far up the MML I'd be shocked if it is an evac or emergency personnel train.

As per post 106 who answered at same time, these will be special short notice planned services being operated by EMR ie Sheffield to Leicester etc

 

[Thumper1127]

London air ambulance just took off from site

Sky News helicopter just about to arrive.

 

[baz962]

Not necessarily. Signal overlaps are not long enough to provide a safety margin if a train passes a signal at danger at high speed. They are designed to cater for small misjudgments.

It would be common for up EMR services to experience a single yellow with junction indicator at Bedford South Junction after being turned out following a fast service on the up fast, much less common for the following signal to then remain at danger due to an out-of-course stop from the train in front.

Point of order. You get a junction indicator if coming up from the up slow , usually from P1 , but if on the up/down which is usually from P2 or P3 you just get a main aspect.

 

[sh24]

London air ambulance just took off from site

Looks to be heading for Addenbrooke's, Cambridge.

 

[Harpo]

With the RAIB investigating, examining and collecting evidence at the location and at signalling centres etc, I'm thinking it may not be possible to run even a restricted service past the scene for some time, perhaps even a matter of days.

It’s the RAIB’s railway now. With NR, they will determine how much adjacent railway they need on stop for everyone to work safely.

When RAIB release the railway back to NR, the next job will be to recover the two trains, and even then that could be to a place where RAIB wants the vehicles. Finally, any infrastructure damage will need to be addressed.

Any timescales are speculative - So I won’t.

 

[bengley]

The signal after Bedford South Junction on the up fast is automatic and is not fitted with TPWS, so the train would only have stopped in this situation (if the signal was at danger) if the driver applied the brakes himself.