Report 06/2026: Collision between a passenger train and an agricultural trailer at Nordan Farm user worked crossing
Collision between a passenger train and an agricultural trailer at Nordan Farm user worked crossing, near Leominster, Herefordshire, 22 May 2025.
Summary
At around 10:37 on 22 May 2025, a passenger train collided with an agricultural trailer being towed across the railway at Nordan Farm user worked crossing, in Herefordshire.
The train was travelling on the Down Main line between Ludlow and Leominster at around 80 mph (129 km/h) when the accident occurred. Six passengers and one member of staff received minor injuries. The train did not derail, but significant damage was caused to the leading vehicle of the train and to the agricultural trailer.
The accident happened because the signaller gave permission to the tractor’s driver to use the crossing, despite the proximity of the approaching train. The signaller had forgotten about the presence of the train when they gave permission and did not check signal box equipment which was indicating the presence of the train beforehand, as they had been trained to. The signaller’s actions may have been affected by an interruption to their established routine for giving users permission to use the crossing, an increase in their workload, distraction and the effects of fatigue.
As Nordan Farm level crossing is a passive user worked crossing, it has no engineered safeguards to warn or protect a crossing user of an approaching train and safe operation is solely reliant on the signaller’s decision as to whether it is safe to cross or not.
RAIB found that Network Rail’s level crossing risk assessment process did not effectively recognise nor control the higher risk present at some crossings during intensive seasonal use. This was an underlying factor. RAIB also found that Network Rail did not have a coherent process for deciding whether a vehicle using a user worked crossing should be considered as large, low or slow moving. This was a possible underlying factor.
Recommendations
RAIB has made two recommendations, both addressed to Network Rail. The first seeks to improve the effectiveness of risk management processes at crossings that see a high variance of use across the year. The second asks Network Rail to consider the actions it took in response to a previous RAIB recommendation and is aimed at assisting signallers and crossing users in deciding whether a vehicle should be treated as large, low or slow moving.
RAIB also identified four learning points. The first reminds staff to comply with their company’s mobile phone policies. The second reminds staff to assess their level of fatigue and inform their company as needed. The third highlights the importance of signallers using available instruments and indicators when considering level crossing requests. The fourth reminds signallers to follow the correct process for applying signal protection.