Derailment at Wickford - Friday 14th August 2026

On the very few cab-rides I've had, even back in the 1990s the driver could dial up the required speed, and the loco/unit would accelerate to that speed, and keep it there. (That was a class 90 on WCML.)

If the rear coach derails, the traction computer possibly notices a decrease in speed, and just applies more power to overcome the (much-increased) rolling resistance. If the driver isn't specifically watching the ammeter (going into the red), then they may not be immediately aware of the issue.

I have no idea what the driving controls and indications are in a GE class 720.

Quite simply, any Driver that suspected their train had derailed is clearly going to make an immediate emergency brake application. If it doesn’t affect the leading cab and has occurred several coaches back with the brake maintaining continuity it’s likely very little would be felt by the Driver.

Gosh - it must have been quite scary for the train driver going in the opposite direction, driving into a cloud of ballast dust, which obscures whatever might be causing it beyond, and driving into the ballast which was thrown up into the air, hitting their train.

Surely the question should be why the basically brand new Class 720 does not have some type of 'bogie off rail detector' to stop the train?