Safety digest 03/2026: Hopetown Junction

Derailment at Hopetown Junction, Darlington, 31 January 2026.

• From: Rail Accident Investigation Branch
• Published: 15 April 2026

• Railway type: Heavy rail
• Report type: Safety digest
• Date of occurrence: 31 January 2026

RAIB safety digest 03/2026: Hopetown Junction

Safety digests are a way of quickly sharing important safety messages when we have decided not to undertake a full investigation for any of the following reasons:

• the safety learning has already been covered by a previous recommendation or will be addressed by an ongoing investigation
• the safety learning mainly relates to compliance with existing rules, procedures or standards

Published 15 April 2026