Train services between Carlisle and Newcastle and Carlisle and Skipton have reopened after the routes were closed by a major freight train derailment.

The incident, which took place at just after 8pm on Wednesday, October 19 saw several wagons leave the tracks and come to rest on an embankment and in the river Petteril.

Huge damage was caused to the Victorian-built railway bridge, railway lines and signalling equipment during the incident.

An initial report published by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch found that a fault with a train wheel was the most likely cause of the derailment.

Since then, the railway has been closed in both directions - impacting all services on the Tyne Valley line between Carlisle and Newcastle and the Settle to Carlisle line between Carlisle, Appleby and Skipton with rail replacement bus services in operation across the routes.

More than 25,000 hours of work has taken place to get the railway restored so trains can run again with over 40 people working long hours to make sure the clear up was finished within seven weeks.

Part of the clear up operation including the use of a 800 tonne crane to remove the wagons in the river, giant vacuums to remove 80 tonnes of powdered cement from the wagons and 125 tonnes of structural concrete was poured into 16 tonnes of metal reinforcement cages to repair the damaged railway bridge over the river.

Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: “I’m sorry to passengers who’ve faced much longer journeys over the last seven weeks while we carried out our emergency railway repairs. I know how frustrating rail delays can be on people’s lives and we’ve worked tirelessly to get the routes restored as quickly as possible.

“This has been a very complex recovery and repair job.

“This major railway junction will be better than new and will provide more reliable journeys for passengers and freight for years to come.”

Services are running as normal, but a brand-new timetable comes into effect on Sunday, December 11 and passengers have been urged to check before they travel.

 

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