Network Rail engineers have completed embankment repairs following a complex operation to recover the railway after a train derailed in Grange-over-Sands on 22nd March.
The next phase of the repair work is to replace the ballast before services resume again next week.
The derailment involved a Northern train, which had to be moved by a specialist crane to allow the repair work to begin.
A void was found in the ground around 150 metres from the site of the derailment and engineers have worked around the clock to repair the damage.
A variety of methods were used to conduct a thorough investigation into the ground conditions at the site, before the series of complex repairs could begin.
Phil James, North West route director, said: “I’m grateful to the people of Cumbria for their patience whilst we carry out this complex investigation and recovery of the railway in Grange-over-Sands following the recent derailment of a Northern train.
“Our engineers are working tirelessly to repair and reopen the railway. We are doing everything we can to get trains on the move between Lancaster and Barrow-in-Furness as soon as possible.”
Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern in the North West, said: “This is an important milestone in the significant infrastructure repair works that were needed in order for our services to safely resume.
“We look forward to Network Rail re-opening the line so that we can operate through rail services and re-connect our customers with the rest of our network.”
Image credit: Network Rail
