Trains return to Cumbrian line after one-month closure

Trains are running again on the Cumbrian Coast Line between Lancaster and Barrow-in Furness, after a derailment at Grange-over-Sands blocked the track last month. No-one was hurt, but a six coach Northern train had to be removed by crane.

A void in the ground was found after the derailment on 22 March, and Network Rail is continuing to work with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to discover its cause.

Engineers removed 400 tonnes of spoil from the embankment and needed almost 84 tonnes of new materials to repair the damage.

Network Rail’s North West route director Phil James said: ‘This has been a very complex recovery and repair job. We're continuing to work with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch on the investigation into what caused the derailment, but we're really glad we've been able to work quickly to get the railway fixed.’

Meanwhile, a sinkhole found two days ago on the Airdrie-Bathgate line at Caldercruix is expected to block the railway until 29 April. Network Rail said the repairs are ‘potentially complex’.

ScotRail services between Helensburgh Central and Edinburgh are terminating at Airdrie. Replacement buses are connecting Airdrie and Bathgate, calling at all intermediate stations, while a train shuttle is running between Bathgate and Edinburgh.

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