31.08.12
Landslide in St Bees leads to train derailment
A Northern Rail train carrying around 100 passengers derailed in Cumbria yesterday, following a landslide near St Bees. Severe weather conditions led to the damage.
The train remained upright, despite leaving the tracks and no injuries have been reported. The RAIB has been informed.
A second train was sent to transport the stranded passengers, but this too encountered a landslide and had to return to Nethertown.
Network Rail said yesterday: “Following a landslip on to the railway near St Bees, buses are replacing trains between Whitehaven and Sellafield. Approximately 100 passengers have been removed from a train which ran into the landslip at 6.45am, derailing the front set of wheels.”
A spokesperson added: “The location is making the work we need to do extremely difficult. There is virtually no road access to the site so it is likely that all the material needed will have to be brought as close as possible by train.
“While we will get the line reopened as soon as we can, it is likely to be first thing on Monday morning before normal services are resumed.”
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Image c. Alvey and Towers