Signals to Danger - Railway disasters in the UK

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The UK's rail network is one of the safest in the world, but this is a reputation that has been hard-won through a dark history of death and destruction. Each of these accidents has helped to prevent another in the future. Signals to Danger is a series of Podcasts exploring and explaining the worst disasters on the UK rail network. Using reports, inquiries, news articles and first hand accounts, we will dive deep into these accidents and understand what went wrong, who was effected and how each incident went on to change the railway going forwards.

Daniel Fox

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    • Sep 29, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 53m AVG DURATION
    • 58 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Signals to Danger - Railway disasters in the UK

    Rail Safety Review - 29th September 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2024 71:16


    On this episode, we unpick the remaining safety digests and investigations from the summer. Very busy with lots going on so enjoy! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Rail Safety Review - 6th September 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2024 64:18


    This week we're starting our look through the summer's events, including a review of RAIB news, two published safety digests and looking at the report into Kineton and the WCML SPAD near Stafford. Welcome back! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    RAIB Roundup 14th May 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2024 70:30


    Join us for a belated bumper roundup episode, covering several news stories and five new safety digests and reports, including the Clapham tube evacuation. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    RAIB Roundup 24th March 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2024 37:00


    On this week's RAIB Roundup we take a look at some recent incidents the RAIB is taking notice of, the recent spate of derailments of passenger trains, and we chat a little about Central Door Locking on heritage stock. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Hixon - 1968

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2024 61:56


    This week on Signals to Danger we're covering the 1968 Hixon accident where an express collided with a 120 tonne transformer at a level crossing in Staffordshire Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    RAIB Roundup 6th February 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2024 48:41


    This week we look at new digests on the way, two new investigations, and the completed Yarnton report, as well as hear about why I make the podcast! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    James Street - 2011

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2024 69:56


    This week on Signals to Danger we're looking at a 2011 incident at James St station in Liverpool, where decisions taken in seconds cost a young girl her life, listener caution advised on this one Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    RAIB Roundup 7th January 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2024 54:29


    The first StD of 2024 takes a look at some recent safety digests, the release of the London Gateway report, and weighs in on the current debate about the safety of HSTs. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Ladbroke Grove - 1999 - Part III

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2023 54:53


    Join us for the conclusion of our three-part deep dive into Ladbroke Grove, where we explore the legacy of one of the UK's worst modern rail disasters, and learn about the creation of some key players in rail safety. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Ladbroke Grove - 1999 - Part II

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2023 79:43


    PART TWO - Listen to Part One first!Join us on this week's Signals to Danger as we start to discuss the findings of the investigation into the 1999 collision between two trains at Ladbroke Grove and try to understand why 31 people lost their lives.Merch - bit.ly/48dDNG5Patreon- bit.ly/45XAIZe Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Ladbroke Grove - 1999 - Part I

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2023 58:02


    Join us on this weeks Signals to Danger for part one of our deep dive into one of the most significant incidents in recent rail history, where we tell the story of the 1999 collision between two trains at Ladbroke Grove.Merch - bit.ly/48dDNG5Patreon- bit.ly/45XAIZe Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    RAIB Roundup 4th November '23

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2023 49:39


    Join us on our newest roundup, looking at 3 recent RAIB reports, South Wingfield, Salisbury Tunnel Junction and Loughborough Central, as well as an exciting look at RailJunction, a new project aimed at younger enthusiasts. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Bellgrove - 1989

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2023 60:22


    Join us on this weeks Signals to Danger, where we explore the 1989 collision between two trains at Bellgrove in the suburbs of Glasgow. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    RAIB Roundup 21st October '23

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2023 35:30


    On this delayed and somewhat breathless roundup we talk once more about Scotsman, I update on a new RAIB investigation as well as the completed Pettril Bridge report, and I almost tell you about the TRUST safety training induction, but not quite!Merch - bit.ly/48dDNG5Patreon- bit.ly/45XAIZe Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    RAIB Roundup 6th October '23

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2023 31:13


    On this week's RAIB roundup we have a quick look at the incident with Flying Scotsman at Aviemore last week, we chat about the recently opened Stafford SPAD investigation and I let you know exactly what types of incident an operator needs to report to the branch. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Singleton Bank - 1961

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2023 57:15


    On the 16th of July 1961, a passenger train collided with a ballast train within a worksite near Poulton-Le-Fylde in Lancashire. What went so badly wrong that this day out to the coast turned into disaster? Join us to find out more. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    RAIB Roundup 22nd September '23

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2023 44:35


    This week's Signals to Danger RAIB roundup episode takes a look at the investigations currently underway with the branch, as well as providing a brief update on the latest developments in the Carmont proceedings.Merch - https://bit.ly/48dDNG5 Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Ufton Nervet - 2004

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2023 65:03


    On another visit to Signals to Danger, we travel back to 2004 and the village of Ufton Nervet, where a collision between a train and a car saw disasterous consequences, and left 7 dead. If you're interested in our new merch check out the link here: https://bit.ly/48dDNG5 Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    RAIB Roundup #1 - July-September 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2023 47:47


    This time we're taking a slightly different turn for an episode, having a quick look at some of the recent RAIB reports which have been issued by the branch in July and September of this year.This roundup covers:The Enfield Town buffer stop collisionSpital Junction overspeedHaddiscoe's track washoutLoversall Carr collision between frieght trainsNear miss with track workers at Penkridge Hope you enjoy the new feel, and don't worry, we'll be back to normal with the next episode! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Eccles - 1984

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2023 72:37


    On the morning of December 4th 194 a passenger train from Liverpool to Scarborough ploughed into the rear of a gas oil train just outside Manchester city centre, join us in the new run of Signals to Danger to find out what went wrong. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Carmont - 2020 - Part Three

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2022 76:31


    Join us as we conclude our three part deep dive into the 2020 derailment of 1T08 at Carmont in Aberdeenshire.This time we're going to talk about opportunities to prevent the accident that were missed, the crashworthiness of the High speed train, and the recommendations of the report.Support the show

    Carmont - 2020 - Part Two

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2022 74:44


    If you haven't listened to the previous episode, Carmont Part One, head there first!In episode two of our story on Carmont, we uncover the reason there was a landslip, and talk about the construction issues experienced in 2011.Support the show

    Carmont - 2020 - Part One

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2022 57:55


    The first episode of Season Three, this episode we tell the story about what happened on the day that shook the rail industry just two years ago. On the 12th of August 2020 a Scotrail train derailed in Aberdeenshire, killing three and injuring others, the accident was the first time since Grayrigg that a passenger was killed on our Railway. Part one tells the story of the day itself, and what happened in the Scottish countryside. Tune in next time to hear about the investigation that followed, and the shocking findings.Support the show

    Hawes Junction - 1910

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2022 62:27


    On Christmas Eve in 1910,  one of the most beautiful sections of railway in the world played host to an ugly disaster. A passenger train crashes into the back of a locomotive and fire finishes the horrible task.Why did this happen and how could it have been prevented, join us this time to find out!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Chalfont & Latimer - 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2022 69:04


    In 2020 a near-miss took place at Chalfont and Latimer station in Buckinghamshire. A commuter train and an underground train ended up a carriage lengths away from a head-on collision. Something had gone seriously wrong, join us and find out why this happened in another episode!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Colwich Junction - 1986

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2022 64:45


    In 1986 two express passenger trains collided with each other on the West Coast Main Line.  One man was killed, countless others were injured. What brought them together and why did it happen. Join us to find out more in this episode.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    The Signalman - Christmas Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2021 35:42


    A retelling of the 1866 Charles Dickens classic.Merry Christmas to all of you out there, thanks so much for listening and I look forward to seeing you all in 2022!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Clayton Tunnel - 1861

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2021 54:22


    On a peaceful Sunday morning in 1861, an everyday journey turned into a disaster when two trains collided in a tunnel near bristol. Come and join us to find out what went wrong, Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Glanrhyd Bridge - 1987

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2021 59:08


    On a dreary October morning after heavy rainfall and widespread flooding, a passenger train sets out on its journey across the centre of Wales. Passengers suddenly find themselves fighting for their lives as the train plunges into a swollen river, fighting freezing water to escape the carriages. What went wrong, and why did 4 people fail to escape? Find out why in this episode of Signals to Danger.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Quintinshill -1915

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2021 83:14


    Season Two kicks off with the story of Quintinshill. At the height of the First World War, Britains worst-ever train crash takes the lives of 227 people, 215 of them troops on their way to war.Join us to see what went so wrong, and why this disaster took place.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Stapleton Road - 1921

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2021 45:55


    100 years ago 6 track workers went to do their job and didn't return.  They were run down and killed by a passing train in a tragic loss of life. Join us in commemorating their centenary and find out what happened at Stapleton Road.Thanks to the Railway Work, Life and Death Project for their support and research in creating this episode @RWLDproject http://www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Weedon - September 1951

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2021 46:45


    A straight section of track suddenly becomes the scene of a violent derailment. A passenger train is smashed to pieces and 13 people lost their lives.Answers were needed, and Her Majesties Rail Inspectorate needed to provide them. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Sounds from the Scene - 25th Episode Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2021 29:12


    Signals to Danger has reached 25 episodes, and a year of life.To celebrate, two special episodes have been created, experiments in slightly different types of content, the first is this, sounds from the scene. To create this, and an accompanying video (coming soon) I headed down to London and spent the day travelling around some of the locations where accidents took place.Next episode will be next week as well, so you won't have long to wait for another!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Polmont - 1984

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2021 51:07


    On a Monday evening in July 1984 a passenger train collided with a cow between Edinburgh and Glasgow. The resulting derailment took the lives of 13 people and caused immense damage to the train and track.Why did this accident take place and why was it so devastating to those involved? Join us to find out.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Moreton-on-Lugg - 2010

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2021 50:06


    In 2010 an accident took place on a level crossing at Herefordshire. An everyday trip turned into a disaster when the barriers opened as a train approached, two cars were hit by a train and one woman tragically lost her life.Join us this week to find out what went wrong at Moreton-on-Lugg.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Cheadle Hulme - 1964

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2021 48:38


    In 1964 a special train was put on to take 230 school children from Staffordshire to York. They were on their way to enjoy the sites of the city, a true adventure.2 hours after it set off, it was derailed along the platforms at the suburban station of Cheadle Hulme. 3 lives lost and yet another disaster on the rails, join us this time to find out what happened. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Rickerscote - 1996

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2021 50:47


    This weeks episode is a tale of travelling post offices and tanker wagons. Two trains collide outside Stafford station in 1996, one postal worker loses his life, and several carriages are destroyed.What happened which led to this disaster?Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Doncaster - 1951

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2021 48:05


    On a peaceful March morning in 1951 a train derailed less than a minute outside Doncaster station. This short journey left 14 people dead and a carriage wrapped around a bridge support.Join us in this episode to find out how what turned into a normal day into disaster.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Conington South - March 1967

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2021 51:38


    In March of 1967, an express train left Kings Cross for an overnight trip to Edinburgh. An hour later 4 carriages of the train would be scattered over the East Coast Main Line and 5 of her passengers would have lost their lives.When investigators found the cause, well, let's just say it was truly shocking. A betrayal of the railway's safety culture in an ultimate way.Join us this week to find out more.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Wootton Bassett - March 2015

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2021 61:29


    In 2015 a steam charter train came within 44 seconds of colliding with a high speed passenger train. A signal passed at red and some revelations about just what was taking place in the cab of the locomotive mean that the near-miss at Wootton Bassett is a perfect example of why we have the rules we do.Join us to find out just how close things came, and the shocking reason why.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Harrow & Wealdstone - 1952

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Mar 28, 2021 70:17 Transcription Available


    Twice in the history of the UK's Railways has an accident led to the loss of more than 100 lives. The second took place on Wednesday the 8th of October 1952.Three trains collide with each other at Harrow & Wealdstone station just outside London. 112 people are killed and 340 injured.How could this have taken place? Join us to find out what happened and how it could have been prevented.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Sevenoaks - 1927

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Mar 14, 2021 52:36


    An 8 carriage passenger train has derailed, colliding with a bridge and claiming 8 lives. This everyday journey has turned into a disaster, but what caused the train to leave the tracks?Come and find out how they solved the mystery in this episode of Signals to Danger.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Lockington - July 1986

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2021 59:32 Transcription Available


    It's the middle of summer and on a sunny Saturday morning 64 passengers start a train journey they will never forget. 9 people would lose their lives and the industry would find itself questioning the safety of an everyday feature.Find out what happened in this episode of Signals to Danger.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Grayrigg - February 2007

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2021 57:07


    In 2007 a passenger train travelling at 95 miles an hour was scattered off the track and into a remote field just south of the Lake District.What caused the accident which injured many, and took the life of one of the passengers?Join us to find out what went wrong.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Invergowrie - October 1979

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2021 45:28


    An express train ploughs into the back of another on the shoreline in Scotland. The autumn morning was shattered and 5 lives lost.What caused the disaster, and how can we prevent it happening again?Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Ealing - 1973

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2021 52:07 Transcription Available


    Rush hour and an express train is leaving the capital bound for Oxford. At 70 miles an hour, the train violently derails, jackknifing carriages and leaving the loco on its side.10 die, but why?Join us this week to find out.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Summit Tunnel - December 2010

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2021 51:58


    Just after Christmas, a train full of bleary-eyed travellers makes it's way across the Pennines. As they enter a tunnel at 70 miles an hour, the driver is horrified to see a wall of ice across the track.What went wrong, and hour could it have been prevented? Listen in to find out.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Shipton-on-Cherwell - December 1874

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2020 40:45


    Christmas Eve 1874. As people make their way home to see friends and family, many swarmed to London stations to start their journey. Several hours after a train left London, it derailed over a canal bridge, and the disaster takes the lives of 34 people.What led to the disaster which ruined Christmas in a sleepy Oxfordshire village?Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Castlecary - December 1937

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Dec 6, 2020 46:26


    Two trains collide in the Scottish countryside, as snow falls and the wind whips around. 35 people lose their lives, two weeks before Christmas.It's crucial to find out the cause of this tragedy. Join us this week as we get to the bottom of it.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Cowden - October 1994

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Nov 22, 2020 54:48


    2 Passenger trains collide head-on a rural single line. Five people lose their lives on a foggy autumn morning. One of them wasn't supposed to be there. What went wrong, who was to blame, and could it have been prevented?Join us this episode to find out, on Signals to Danger.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

    Morpeth - June 1984

    Play Episode Play 60 sec Highlight Listen Later Nov 8, 2020 51:43 Transcription Available


    Northumbria plays host to one of the most infamous curves on the whole network. At twenty to one in the morning the sleeper from Aberdeen spills off the tracks and into the nearby gardens.With a curve so infamous, why wasn't it avoided? And what's the shocking cause behind the whole accident?Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/SignalstoDanger)

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