Ramsgate train collision

The Ramsgate train collision was a collision and derailment between two Class 158 units, 158768 and 158905 on the 19th December 2007. The cause of the collision was identified as a SPAD (Signal Passed At Danger) and also an Operator Error

The accident is the worst and first on Ramsgate since regular services started in 2004. The worst in the Whelham & Lower Edge area is the 2011 Lower Edge derailment

Activities preceding to the collision
At 1925 BST, 158768 pulled into Ramsgate station with a Manchester Airport-Ramsgate service. The train was due to depart at 1936 GMT, after the local Sheffield-Ramsgate service, formed with 158905

At 1933 GMT, 158905 entered view of the signal box. By 1934 GMT, the unit had slowed, passing Furnival Road Railway Station. The unit then passed a Signal at Danger. At 1935 GMT, 158768 was preparing for departure as 158905 (Intending to arrive at Platform 4) was arriving into Platform 2, caused by a signalling error. The two units collided, with the leading carriages (52905 and 52768) being severely damaged, with 52905 being rammed up against the signal for Platform 3. Both train drivers were immediately killed by the incident, and 17 people were majorly injured inside 52905 as the train was rammed up to the signal

Investigation
The causes of the collision were clear, causing the Rail Accident Investigation Branch not to attend.

Recovery
The recovery started 5 days after the collision, with 57905 being uncoupled and moved to Brush Loughbrough by rail, for intermediate coupling works. 52905 was moved by road due to its poor state to Brush Kilmarnock, whilst 52768 was then moved by road to Brush Loughbrough. Undamaged 57768 was moved to Ramsgate Depot by rail, to form a Class 170 hybrid, as it had lost a driving car and intermediate car in a coupling problem. The hybrid worked like that until January 2008, when the 170s cars were returned. 57768 was then placed in warm store.

Return to service
Infrastructure that was damaged was replaced over the Christmas period, with trains running normally on December 27th 2007. 57768 was moved out of warm store in March 2008 and reunited with 52768. 158905, as a full unit, returned to service in March 2009.