PODCAST · society
Signals to Danger
by Daniel Fox
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
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Keeping Freight Safe
Moving freight by rail sounds straightforward: choose a wagon, load it up and send it on its way. But behind an uneventful arrival lies a system of engineering decisions, examinations, handling restrictions and communication. Following our episodes on Linslade and Surbiton, this time we follow an...
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Surbiton - 1971
On 4 July 1971, a ballast train passing through Surbiton derailed into the path of a Portsmouth Harbour passenger service approaching at 72 miles an hour. The collision left the leading passenger carriage on its side, damaged both trains and tore up the railway. Remarkably, nobody lost their…
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Bedford: What we know & what we don't
Bedford: What We Know and What We Don’t On 19 June 2026, two passenger trains collided near Elstow, south of Bedford. Driver Shaun Burton lost his life, and at least 160 people were injured. RAIB has now published its interim report. In this Rail Safety Review, we examine the evidence released so...
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Linslade Tunnel - 1982
In the early hours of 9 December 1982, a late-running sleeper service departed London Euston for Glasgow. Ahead of it, a freight train had passed through Linslade Tunnel carrying prefabricated railway components. One of those components had moved beyond the loading gauge, struck the tunnel portal...
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The Wrong Type of Leaves - RSR
“The wrong kind of leaves” has become one of the railway’s most frequently mocked excuses—but leaves on the line create a genuine and potentially serious safety problem. In this episode of Signals to Danger, we explore how fallen leaves are transformed into a stubborn layer of contamination on…
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Talerddig - 2024
On 21 October 2024, two Transport for Wales trains collided head-on near Talerddig on the Cambrian Line. It was a route controlled using ETCS — one of the most advanced signalling systems in use on the British railway — yet the accident began with one of the oldest challenges the railway has ever...
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How Britain Prevents Broken Rails - Rail Safety Review
How does the railway find a crack hidden inside a solid steel rail—and what happens when it does? In this Rail Safety Review, we explore how rails become damaged, the development of metal fatigue and rolling-contact fatigue, and the overlapping safeguards used to prevent defects becoming broken...
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Hither Green - 1967
On the evening of 5 November 1967, a packed passenger train was making an otherwise ordinary journey from Hastings towards London Charing Cross when, on the approach to Hither Green, its third coach suddenly derailed at around 70 mph. What followed became one of Britain's deadliest post-war…
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Flash Briefing - Wickford Derailment
On 14 August 2026, a London-bound passenger train derailed while approaching Wickford in Essex, with its rearmost vehicle travelling for around 1.5 miles while derailed before the train came to a stand. In this Flash Briefing, we look at the first information released by the Rail Accident...
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Flash Briefing - Lewes Derailment
On 13 August 2026, Southern service 1F34 was approaching Lewes when the rear three vehicles of the eight-car train derailed and overturned on the railway embankment. A week on, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch has released an update providing our first detailed insight into what happened —...
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Rail Safety Review - 3rd August 2026
This time on Rail Safety Review, we’re looking at a couple of recent RAIB reports — including something we haven’t covered before: a discontinuation report following a tram derailment at Manchester Piccadilly. Then we head to Sheffield to look at the report into a Supertram collision with two...
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Watford - 1996
Before two trains collided outside Watford Junction in 1996, every safeguard appeared to be in place. This week on Signals to Danger, we examine a crash that left investigators asking whether the cause lay with the driver, the signalling, or something far less obvious. As the evidence unfolds, a...
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Rail Safety Review - Level Crossing Safety
This month's Rail Safety Review takes a closer look at one of the railway's most persistent risks: level crossings. Following the latest developments in the RAIB investigation into the collision at Hoghton level crossing, we explore why level crossing fatalities are rising, examine recent…
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Newton Junction - 1991
This week, Signals to Danger heads back to Glasgow to examine the tragic head-on collision at Newton Junction in July 1991. On a busy Sunday evening, a series of seemingly routine train movements, a recently remodelled junction and a single signal passed at danger combined to produce one of...
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Rail Safety Review 4th July 2026
A return to the world of Rail Safety Reviews! The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has recently published both a new Summary of Learning on overspeeding and its Annual Report for 2025. In this episode we take a step back from individual accidents to explore what these documents reveal about the...
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Flash Briefing - Elstow 2026
What caused two passenger trains to collide on one of Britain's busiest main lines? After a break from the podcast, we return to discuss last weeks collision at Elstow. With the first RAIB findings now published, we break down the known facts, the safety systems involved, and the key questions…
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Flash Briefing - Reutlingen Derailment
A quick update on a serious derailment in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, on 27th July 2025. Regional Express 55 left the tracks after heavy storms, with early signs pointing to a landslip. At least three people have died and many more are injured. We break down what’s known so far and draw early...
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Rail Safety Review - 14th July 2024
Welcome to another Rail Safety Review, and yes, despite the joys of a strep throat and a voice that sounds like it's been dragged through ballast, Dan is back to talk trains. This week we’re diving into the chaos that’s been brewing recently on the West Coast Main Line—a derailment near…
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Eltham Well Hall - 1972
In June 1972, a day of leisure for railway workers and their families ended in tragedy on the curve at Eltham Well Hall. This episode examines the circumstances surrounding one of the UK's most avoidable rail accidents — a derailment caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol. This week...
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Rail Safety Review 30th June 2025
In this Rail Safety Review, we dive into the RAIB’s 2024 Annual Report, exploring six key safety themes from the past year—from track worker and platform safety to vegetation management and asset integrity. We also take a closer look at the concept of Human Factors and how they influence modern...
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Purley - 1989
On this weeks episode of Signals to Danger we head back to 1989 and the South London suburb of Purley. After a signal is passed at danger one train collides into the rear of another that has just the station, with carriages tumbling down an embankment into the back gardens of local residents.…
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Rail Safety Review - 16th June 2025
Join us for the first Rail Safety Review of this new run of Signals to Danger, where we take a look at the current coming and goings in railway safety. This time out we talk a little about the train vs tractor at Nordan Farm, the interim report into Talerddig and then sweep through what the RAIB…
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Flash Briefing - South Wales Overspeeding in Blanket Speed Restrictions
On the 10th of June the RAIB released a Safety Digest into overspeeding within Blanket Speed Restrictions in Wales on the 27th January this year. Join us on our first ever Flash Briefing, as we go ahead and take a swift look at the content of the digest! Credits: Music track: Breaking News by…
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Salisbury Tunnel Junction - 2021
In October of 2021, two passenger trains collided with each other as they ran into a tunnel just outside of Salisbury. This episode tells the story of what took place, and how investigators got to the bottom of how this accident happened. Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/SignalstoDanger Music...
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Rail Safety Review - 29th September 2024
On this episode, we unpick the remaining safety digests and investigations from the summer. Very busy with lots going on so enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Rail Safety Review - 6th September 2024
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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RAIB Roundup 14th May 2024
Join us for a belated bumper roundup episode, covering several news stories and five new safety digests and reports, including the Clapham tube evacuation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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RAIB Roundup 24th March 2024
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Hixon - 1968
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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RAIB Roundup 6th February 2024
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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James Street - 2011
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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RAIB Roundup 7th January 2024
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Ladbroke Grove - 1999 - Part III
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Ladbroke Grove - 1999 - Part II
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/48dDNG5 Patreon- bit.ly/45XAIZe...
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Ladbroke Grove - 1999 - Part I
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/48dDNG5 Patreon- bit.ly/45XAIZe Hosted on Acast. See...
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RAIB Roundup 4th November '23
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Bellgrove - 1989
Join us on this weeks Signals to Danger, where we explore the 1989 collision between two trains at Bellgrove in the suburbs of Glasgow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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RAIB Roundup 21st October '23
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/48dDNG5 Patreon- bit.ly/45XAIZe...
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RAIB Roundup 6th October '23
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. Hosted on Acast. See...
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Singleton Bank - 1961
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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RAIB Roundup 22nd September '23
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
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Ufton Nervet - 2004
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 Hosted on Acast. See...
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RAIB Roundup #1 - July-September 2023
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 collision Spital Junction overspeed Haddiscoe's track...
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Eccles - 1984
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Carmont - 2020 - Part Three
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...
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Carmont - 2020 - Part Two
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
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Carmont - 2020 - Part One
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…
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Hawes Junction - 1910
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…
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Chalfont & Latimer - 2020
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...
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Colwich Junction - 1986
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
HOSTED BY
Daniel Fox
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Signals to Danger have?
Signals to Danger currently has 66 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Signals to Danger about?
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...
How often does Signals to Danger release new episodes?
Signals to Danger has 66 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Signals to Danger?
You can listen to Signals to Danger on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Signals to Danger?
Signals to Danger is created and hosted by Daniel Fox.
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