London to Hastings train 'overshot station by two and a half miles'

A 65mph London to Hastings passenger train overshot a station by nearly two and a half miles after the driver faced "poor adhesion conditions", it was revealed today. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has begun an inquiry into the incident involving the Southeastern train at Stonegate station in East Sussex at around 8.10am on 8 November. The RAIB said: "The train encountered poor adhesion conditions as its driver applied the brakes while travelling at about 65mph. The train came to a stand 2.45 miles beyond the station. "No signals were passed at danger, and a level crossing encountered by the train during the incident operated normally." Among other things, the investigation will examine the servicing and maintenance of the rail head sanding equipment on the Charing Cross-Hastings line.