Runaway engineering train at London Liverpool Street station

At about 11:52 hrs on 2 October 2022, an unattended freight train ran away from platform 3 at London Liverpool Street station. The signaller was alerted to the train’s movement by track sections in the throat of the station showing occupied unexpectedly. The incident happened within a part of the station that was, at the time, under possession for engineering work. The unattended train travelled about 150 metres, before coming to a stop within the possession limits. No one was injured as a result of the incident, although a set of points which the train ran through were damaged.

We have undertaken a preliminary examination into the circumstances surrounding this incident. Having assessed the evidence which has been gathered to date, we have decided to publish a safety digest.

The safety digest will be made available on our website in the next few weeks.