, as reported by multiple eyewitnesses who described a “thud” followed by a jolt that made the train rock and tilt before coming to a stop.
Incident Details
The service, which was traveling at an estimated 80 miles per hour (mph) when it struck a landslide in the area, resulted in four passengers suffering minor injuries. According to Network Rail, who confirmed there had been landslips in the vicinity, the exact cause of the derailment is still under investigation.
Avanti West Coast, the rail provider for this service, stated that “it is likely there will be significant disruption to our network for a number of days” and advised customers not to travel north of Preston today. The company has implemented alternative shuttle services between Glasgow and Carlisle, as well as hourly rail replacement coaches between Carlisle and Preston.
Impact on Passengers
The derailment affected numerous passengers’ journeys, with some choosing to delay their travel until tomorrow or later in the week. Christine Kane from Livingston, near Edinburgh, expressed her frustration at missing a critical meeting for picking up her granddaughter. Despite delays and additional travel time, she remained grateful for the crew’s assistance during the incident.
Passenger Rebecca McCarthy boarded the service at Penrith for her daily commute to Wigan about 10 minutes before the train came off the tracks. She recounted hearing a “huge bang” followed by staff informing passengers that they had hit something substantial, which prevented what could have been more serious consequences.
Weather and Topography Challenges
The incident highlights the challenges posed to rail travel in Cumbria due to adverse weather conditions. Heavy rainfall over recent days has contributed significantly to landslips and other disruptions on the line. Network Rail’s operations director, Sam McDougall, acknowledged that such incidents are “extremely rare” but noted that the region faces specific challenges related to its weather patterns and topography.
The Met Office issued a warning for heavy rain in Cumbria on Tuesday, predicting rainfall totals of up to 6 inches (150 mm) with higher amounts possible in some areas.
This could lead to potential flooding and further disruptions to rail services. Network Rail has stated that major disruption will continue throughout the day as they work to reopen the line safely.
As of , the West Coast Main Line remains closed, and passengers are advised against attempting travel north of Preston today. Avanti West Coast is urging customers to check their journey plans and claim Delay Repay compensation if affected by the disruption.
