Railway engineers have been inspecting the damage caused after a freight train carrying cement derailed in Carlisle.
Network Rail is working with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch* to determine how several wagons left the track and came to rest on an embankment and in the river Petteril just after 8pm last night (Wednesday 19 October).
Railway engineers have carried out an initial scope of damage to tracks, a railway bridge and line side equipment like signalling.
Making those repairs combined with the challenge of recovering the train’s wagons is estimated to take weeks rather than days.
No one was injured in the incident, but the railway will remain closed in both directions for some time.
This will cause major disruption for all rail services between Carlisle, Newcastle and Appleby and Skipton.
Rail replacement buses are keeping people on the move and those planning to travel over the next two weeks are advised to visit www.nationalrail.co.uk so they know what to expect from their journey.
Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: “On the rare occasions trains leave tracks like this it can cause extensive damage and unfortunately this incident is no exception.
“I understand this will be extremely frustrating for passengers who rely on this crucial rail link from east to west linking Carlisle and Newcastle, as well as south to Skipton. Across the rail industry we’re working hard to keep people on the move through rail replacement buses while we work as fast as we can to restore the railway for passengers and freight.”
Kerry Peters, regional director for Northern, said: “We are working closely with Network Rail to monitor the situation and provide the latest information to our passengers as to how they can still travel across the region. Customers should check before they travel and plan for longer journey times. We will provide updates on our website and via social media as soon as any new information about the recovery operation becomes known to us.”
For the latest updates on the recovery and repairs people can follow the Network Rail Lancashire and Cumbria Twitter account on @NetworkRailLC.
For up-to-date journey information and detail on alternative travel please check www.nationalrail.co.uk.
