Embedded Files
Module M1 (Issue 9 June 2026) and TW1 (section 45, Issue 22 June 2026)
The June 2026 rule book update introduced some significant changes to drivers' actions following a train accident, to reflect the methods of communication we are likely to have at our disposal. The focus is on contacting the signaller by he quickest means available to reduce the risk of further consequences.
This section contains questions and answers, along with a flowchart that illustrates the process described in Module M1.
It also examines the changes to TW1 section 45, which concern what to do when other trains are put in danger.
Dealing with a train accident
Dealing with a train accident
What situations does the rule book list as train accidents?
What situations does the rule book list as train accidents?
a derailment
a collision involving trains or rail vehicles
a collision with an obstruction
a collision with a road vehicle
a collision with a person
a fire on a train which might put other trains passing the location in danger
a fire on a train which might mean that passengers are evacuated onto running lines
an accidental train division which has caused another line to be obstructed.
What is the driver's first action after a train accident?
What is the driver's first action after a train accident?
Immediately switch on the hazard warning lights.
If you cannot do this, you must display a red light forward.
What methods, and in what order of priority, should be used to contact the signaller if you are aware of a train accident?
What methods, and in what order of priority, should be used to contact the signaller if you are aware of a train accident?
A railway emergency group call (REC) from the driving cab
Any other means of direct communication available from the driving cab
A REC from any other driving can on the train.
Leaving the train to speak to the signaller.
If you have to leave the driving cab to make a REC from another cab, what should you do first?
If you have to leave the driving cab to make a REC from another cab, what should you do first?
Place a track-circuit operating clip on any other line that might be obstructed before going to the other cab.
What should you do once you have made contact with the signaller?
What should you do once you have made contact with the signaller?
Stay in the cab until the signaller tells you one of the following:
The driver of each train that must remain at a stand has received and understood the message.
No train is approaching your train.
Once the signaller confirms all trains have stopped or no train is approaching, what is the driver's next action?
Once the signaller confirms all trains have stopped or no train is approaching, what is the driver's next action?
Check whether any other lines are obstructed (if in doubt treat them as obstructed).
Ttell the signaller which lines are obstructed, and place a track-circuit operating clip on any other line that is obstructed, if the signaller tells you to.
What should you do if the signaller tells you that a train is approaching?
What should you do if the signaller tells you that a train is approaching?
You must leave your train and proceed towards it showing a hand danger signal.
What should you do if you cannot speak to the signaller from your train?
What should you do if you cannot speak to the signaller from your train?
find out which other lines are obstructed and if in doubt treat them as obstructed
place a track-circuit operating clip on each line that is obstructed
leave the train to tell the signaller about the accident
tell the guard, where provided, that you are leaving the train.
Dealing with a train accident - flowchart
Dealing with a train accident - flowchart
The flowchart below illustrates the process for dealing with a train accident, as set out in Module M1. You can download a PDF version here.
After leaving the train
After leaving the train
You must carry out the instructions below when you have had to leave the train to contact the signaller:
If a train approaches
If a train approaches
Place three detonators 20 metres apart
Show a hand danger signal to the driver.
If you reach a telephone or signal box
If you reach a telephone or signal box
Place three detonators 20 metres apart
Speak to the signaller.
If you reach a tunnel
If you reach a tunnel
Proceed through the tunnel only if all of the following apply:
The tunnel is a short one.
You believe there is a means of contacting the signaller a short way beyond.
You can walk through the tunnel safely, for example on the line that your train is obstructing
You will be able to show a hand danger signal to any train approaching in the opposite direction on any line.
If you cannot proceed though a tunnel
If you cannot proceed though a tunnel
If you can't proceed through a tunnel you must:
place three detonators 20 metres apart at the tunnel entrance
stay at the tunnel entrance
show a hand danger signal to the driver of any train approaching the obstruction.
If you reach a diverging junction
If you reach a diverging junction
Place three detonators 20 metres apart at the junction
Stay at the junction
Show a hand danger signal to the driver of any approaching train.
If you stop an approaching train
If you stop an approaching train
If an approaching train stops and you can speak to the driver, you must tell them:
what has happened
to tell the signaller what has happened, if possible by making a REC.
If the signaller tells you that a train is approaching which cannot be stopped, what must you do?
If the signaller tells you that a train is approaching which cannot be stopped, what must you do?
Place three detonators 20 metres apart on that line
Show a hand danger signal to the driver.
When other trains are put in danger
When other trains are put in danger
TW1 section 45 sets out what you must do when other trains are put in danger.
What examples does TW1 give of trains being put in danger?
What examples does TW1 give of trains being put in danger?
an obstruction on the line
damage to structures or earthworks
a cow, bull or other large animal within the boundary fence, even if it is not an immediate danger to trains
any other animal on or near the line which might be a danger to trains
something wrong with another train.
When trains in the opposite direction are put in danger
When trains in the opposite direction are put in danger
How must you warn the driver of any approaching train?
How must you warn the driver of any approaching train?
sound a long blast of the horn as an urgent warning of immediate danger
switch on the hazard warning lights
if you cannot switch on the hazard warning lights you must show a red light forward.
Where should you stop your train?
Where should you stop your train?
Continue for at least 1¼ miles (2 km) beyond the obstruction and stop there.
Do not pass any signal at danger unless you have been authorised to.
What should you do after stopping your train?
What should you do after stopping your train?
Once you have stopped your train, your actions are similar to those described in Module M1. In summary:
If you have not already spoken to the signaller, you must then tell them by:
making a REC on the GSM-R in the cab
any other means of direct communication available from within the driving cab if you cannot make a REC
making a REC from any other driving cab.
You must stay at that location to continue to warn the driver of any approaching train until the signaller tells you one of the following:
The driver of each train that must remain at a stand has received and understood the message.
No train is approaching the obstruction.
You must then place a track-circuit operating clip on each affected line if the signaller tells you to.
You can then continue on your journey.
What should you do if you cannot contact the signaller after stopping your train?
What should you do if you cannot contact the signaller after stopping your train?
It you cannot contact the signaller after stopping your train 1¼ miles (2 km) beyond the obstruction, you must place a track-circuit operating clip on each affected line.
You must then continue to a location where you can contact the signaller by:
any means of direct communication that is available
any lineside telephone
going to the signal box.
If the signaller tells you that no train is approaching you can continue on your journey.
If the signaller tells you that a train is approaching, you must:
remain at that location
place three detonators 20 metres apart on the line
show a hand danger signal to give a warning to that train.
When trains in the same direction are put in danger
When trains in the same direction are put in danger
Where should you stop your train?
Where should you stop your train?
Stop your train as soon as you can, and if you have not already spoken to the signaller, stop the train in a location from which you may be able to contact the signaller.
You must place a track-circuit operating clip on any affected line.
If you have not already spoken to the signaller, how should you contact them?
If you have not already spoken to the signaller, how should you contact them?
If you have not already spoken to the signaller, you must contact them by:
making a REC on the GSM-R
any other means of direct communication available from within the driving cab if you cannot make a REC
making a REC from any other driving cab on the train
any means of direct communication that is available from outside the driving cab
any lineside telephone.
When can you continue on your journey?
When can you continue on your journey?
When the signaller tells you that no train is approaching the obstruction.
What should you do if the signaller tells you that a train is approaching?
What should you do if the signaller tells you that a train is approaching?
If the signaller tells you that a train is approaching, you must:
proceed on foot towards that train
show a hand danger signal
place three detonators 20 metres apart on the line.
What should you do if you are unable to contact the signaller?
What should you do if you are unable to contact the signaller?
If you have still not been able to contact the signaller, you must:
switch on the hazard warning indication at the rear of your train if provided
tell the guard that you are leaving the train
proceed on foot in the direction from which trains will approach
show a hand danger signal to the driver of any approaching train
on reaching a telephone or signal box, place three detonators 20 metres apart on the line before you speak to the signaller.
If you stop an approaching train
If you stop an approaching train
If an approaching train stops and you can speak to the driver, you must tell them:
what has happened
to tell the signaller what has happened, if possible by making a REC.
If the signaller tells you that a train is approaching what must you do?
If the signaller tells you that a train is approaching what must you do?
proceed on foot towards that train
show a hand danger signal
place three detonators 20 metres apart on the line.
If the signaller tells you that no train is approaching, you can return to your train and continue your journey.
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