Rail bosses said they hope work to repair lines damaged when a train derailed in Carlisle will be complete next week.
On Wednesday October 19, five wagons – each filled with 80 tonnes of powdered cement – came off the tracks at Petteril Bridge Junction.
One wagon ended up in the River Petteril and two others came to rest on the railway embankment.
It has caused travel misery for hundreds of commuters on the Newcastle and Settle to Carlisle lines, who have had to use buses to bypass the closed section of line.
A Network Rail spokesman said: “Our engineers are working around the clock to reopen the railway at Petteril Bridge following the freight train derailment in October.
“Teams have now finished laying the new ballast – railway stone – and will be installing new tracks to replace what was damaged.
“We’re looking forward to completing work in the next week so train services can resume on both the Tyne Valley and Settle to Carlisle lines.”
An 800-tonne crane was used to lift the wagons – which had to be emptied before the lift could go ahead – last month by Network Rail.
The train was carrying powdered cement from Cleethorpes to Carlisle when it derailed. Initial investigations believe a faulty wheel was to blame.
The derailment caused significant damage to a bridge, track and line side equipment including signalling and points cabling.
