Derailment of a freight train at Barking

A freight train operated by GB Railfreight derailed on the Up Tilbury Line, approximately 700 metres south-east of Barking Station, at around 13:04 on 23 October 2026. The train consisted of two Class 99 bi-mode locomotives and 39 intermodal container wagons, travelling between London Gateway and Hams Hall. Preliminary data from the leading locomotive’s recorder indicated the train was moving at about 8 mph when its brakes applied, stopping the train before briefly restarting. The 20th wagon from the front subsequently derailed during these movements.

The derailed wagon continued running with its wheels on the sleepers and ballast for roughly 0.7 miles, passing through platform 8 at Barking Station. The train only stopped after a signaller, who had detected a loss of detection on multiple sets of points, contacted the driver. There were no reported injuries, though significant damage occurred to the derailed wagon, track, signalling equipment, and adjacent infrastructure.

The UK’s Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has launched an independent investigation into the derailment. The inquiry will examine the cause and sequence of events leading to the incident, including the train’s braking and restarting sequence and the wagon’s derailment.

The RAIB’s investigation is separate from any conducted by the railway industry or its regulator, the Office of Rail and Road. Findings and safety recommendations will be published on the RAIB’s website once the inquiry concludes.