A freight train which derailed on the way into Carlisle probably did so due to a damaged wheel, inspectors believe.
The train, which was pulling 14 loaded cement wagons from Clitheroe to Carlisle derailed at the Petteril Bridge Junction on Wednesday at around 8.05pm.
Five wagons came off the tracks and one of those entered the River Petteril. No injuries were caused.
The incident has resulted in travel misery for passengers, who now have to use a bus replacement service if they are travelling to Newcastle or Leeds, adding up to an hour to journey times.
It is thought recovery and repairs to the train lines and bridge will take several weeks.
Inspectors from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch have been at the scene, collecting evidence and CCTV footage from on-board cameras.
The Government body is called in as a matter of course when rail accidents occur to carry out an independent review.
Inspectors said that the derailment was ‘almost certainly’ caused by a damaged wheel when it met with a set of switches at the junction.
They said false flanges were present on wheel treads, which can result when rail wheels stop rotating while a vehicle is running.
Their investigation continues and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch said: “Our investigation will seek to identify the sequence of events which led to the accident.
“It will include consideration of track conditions, the condition of the wagons, wagon characteristics, the status of the train’s braking systems and any underlying management factors.”
