Passengers are warned that they face up to two weeks of disruption after a train derailed in Cumbria.
The Northern trail came off the tracks at Grange-over-Sands on Friday. Four passengers and four members of staff had to be evacuated from the train.
Network Rail is advising passengers that the route will be closed while the investigation, train recovery and repair work is complete.
Initial investigations suggest this could take two weeks.
It said that around 150m away from the derailment location, a hole in the ground has opened. Network Rail is working with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to determine the cause of the hole and the train derailment.
Once Rail Accident Investigation Branch has completed its initial investigation, Network Rail will begin the recovery process, which it said was complex.
The steps will involve:
- Using a specialist Network Rail crane to rerail and remove the train.
- Carrying out repairs to the ground.
- Installing new ballast (railway stones) and laying new track over the affected area.
Chris Pye, Network Rail’s North West route infrastructure director, said: “On the rare occasions trains leave tracks like this it can cause extensive damage and unfortunately this incident is no exception. The additional problem with the ground conditions means this is an especially complicated recovery process.
“I understand this will be extremely frustrating for passengers travelling between Lancaster and Barrow-in-Furness.
“Across the rail industry we’re working hard to keep people on the move through rail replacement buses while we work as fast as we can to restore the railway for passengers and freight.”
The closure will not significantly affect the timetable over the Easter bank holiday due to pre-planned work in the area, Network Rail added.
Train services will run between Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness on the Cumbrian coast line.
Bus replacement services will be in operation between Barrow-in-Furness and Lancaster while the recovery of the train and repair work takes place at Grange-over-Sands.
Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern, said: “While services are unable to run between Barrow-in-Furness and Lancaster, we are working with partners to offer what rail replacement alternatives we can.
“This includes buses between Lancaster and Barrow calling at Lancaster, Carnforth, Silverdale, Arnside Grange-over-Sands, Kents Bank, Cark, Ulverston, Dalton, Roose and Barrow -In-Furness.
“Disruption is expected to last some time, so customers should make alternative arrangements wherever possible. We’re sorry for the inconvenience and delay.”
Visit northernrailway.co.uk/service-updates for the latest information.
