No trains will run on the West Coast Main Line between Preston and Carlisle today after a derailment yesterday.
Passengers are urged to avoid travel if possible today, Tuesday November 4.
Network Rail said teams were working hard to get the route reopened, but the derailment had blocked the opposite line.
It is suspected that a landslip caused the incident and it is likely that travel disruption will continue for several days.
The 4.28am service from Glasgow to Euston derailed near Shap yesterday, Monday November 3, at around 6.10am.
Teams have been working through the night on the line.
The train has been removed from the tracks and overhead line repairs have been completed.
Track and signalling work is ongoing.
ℹ️ We are continuing our investigation into today’s derailment near Shap, in Cumbria.
— West Coast Main Line (@networkrailWCML) November 3, 2025
🎥 Footage taken after the incident shows what our teams will be repairing in order to reopen the railway.
📲 As disruption continues, check @nationalrailenq for the latest travel information. pic.twitter.com/MydTL88FyV
Eighty-six passengers, plus train staff, were on board the 11-carriage train.
Four people suffered minor injuries.
The North West Ambulance Service initially declared it as a major incident, which was stood down mid-morning, and emergency services attended the scene.
ℹ️ We are continuing investigations into a train derailment near Shap in Cumbria.
— West Coast Main Line (@networkrailWCML) November 3, 2025
💬 Doug is part of the team on the ground investigating and he has provided an update from trackside.
📲 Services are disrupted. Please check @nationalrailenq for updated travel information. pic.twitter.com/4UQqdiwdk0
Carriage K derailed, but managed to stay upright.
The Rail Investigation Branch, which investigates accidents and incidents on the railway network, sent a team to the scene of the derailment yesterday.
Network Rail said the incident followed a suspected landslip in the area which had been experiencing significant adverse weather conditions. It added extremely heavy rainfall continued to compound the issue.
Phil James, North West route director for Network Rail, said: “We want to thank passengers for their patience while we have investigated this extremely complex incident.
“Now that the Rail Accident Investigation Branch staff have finished their investigation our team can begin the work of reopening the railway. We will need to move the train before we begin the repair work necessary to get services moving safely as soon as possible.
“This incident will continue to cause disruption and we’re urging passengers to check with their train operator or National Rail Enquiries for the latest information.”
Passengers and train crew were evacuated to the nearby Shap Wells Hotel.
Passenger James Burrow, of Workington, praised the staff for their handling of the situation and the train driver for their actions.
He said he saw a bright flash and heard a loud bang not long after the train left Penrith Railway Station.
Train company Avanti West Coast said: “All those on board were assessed by paramedics, and four were treated for minor injuries.
“Thankfully, none required hospital treatment and all were discharged, and we’ve now provided transport for customers to continue their journey south or return north.”
Andy Mellors, managing director of Avanti West Coast, added: “Our main priority is the safety and wellbeing of our customers and colleagues following this serious incident.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and gratitude for the actions of our colleagues onboard which has been warmly received and appreciated by customers.
“I would also like to thank our staff who responded, the emergency services, Network Rail and the local hotel who laid on facilities for everyone onboard. We are now ensuring we provide support to those affected.”
Westmorland & Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said: “I’m deeply concerned to hear the news coming out of Shap this morning. My thoughts are with everyone on board the train and the emergency service workers who were on the scene.”
Penrith and Solway MP Markus Campbell-Savours said: “I am deeply concerned by reports of the train derailment
“My thoughts are with all those affected, and I want to thank the emergency services and rail staff who responded swiftly to ensure passenger safety.
“I am in close contact with Network Rail and the relevant authorities to understand the cause and expect a thorough investigation. I will continue to press for clear communication to the public and for any necessary improvements to prevent any future incidents.”
What does the derailment mean for travel on the West Coast Main Line?
Routes affected
- Avanti West Coast between Glasgow Central and Birmingham New Street / Crewe / Wolverhampton / London Euston, and also between Edinburgh and London Euston
- Caledonian Sleeper between Inverness / Aberdeen / Fort William / Edinburgh / Glasgow Central and London Euston
- TransPennine Express between Edinburgh / Glasgow Central and Manchester Airport, and also between Glasgow Central and Liverpool Lime Street
Major disruption is expected until the end of the day.
The following alterations will apply to Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express services
- Avanti West Coast services that normally run from Edinburgh / Glasgow Central to London Euston will be cancelled, a shuttle service is running from Glasgow Central to Carlisle
- Avanti West Coast services that normally run from London Euston to Glasgow Central / Edinburgh will run between London Euston and Preston only
- TransPennine Express services that normally run between Glasgow Central and Liverpool Lime Street will run between Preston and Liverpool Lime Street only
- TransPennine Express services that normally run between Edinburgh / Glasgow Central and Manchester Airport will run between Preston and Manchester Airport only
Avanti West Coast customer advice
Avanti West Coast are advising passengers do not travel north of Preston today.
Avanti West Coast tickets dated Monday 3 or Tuesday 4 November can be used at no extra cost anytime from Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 November.
Tickets will be accepted on the following routes, at no extra cost:
- CrossCountry services between Edinburgh and Birmingham New Street in both directions
- LNER services between Edinburgh and London Kings Cross in both directions
- Northern services between Carlisle and Newcastle and between Preston and York / Manchester Piccadilly in both directions
- ScotRail services between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central in both directions
- TransPennine Express services between Manchester Piccadilly and Preston in both directions
Your ticket can no longer be used on TransPennine Express services between Carlisle and Glasgow Central / Edinburgh in both directions.
If your train is cancelled, your ticket is valid on one of the two Avanti West Coast services immediately before your booked train, or one of the two immediately after.
TransPennine Express customer advice
TransPennine Express are advising passengers do not travel north of Preston today. There are no trains and a limited rail replacement transport will operate.
You are strongly advised to avoid travelling north of Preston if you can.
There will be an amended service in place on the West Coast Main Line with a limited capacity and you may be heavily delayed and experience severe overcrowding.
The following replacement bus service will operate:
- Oxenholme Lake District to Carlisle starting from 06:45, calling at Penrith North Lakes
- Carlisle to Oxenholme Lake District starting from 06:45, calling at Penrith North Lakes
If you are travelling southbound:
If you are travelling from Glasgow Central and Edinburgh towards Manchester and Liverpool Lime Street, you can travel via the East Coast Mainline. You can therefore use your ticket at no extra cost on the following services in both directions:
- LNER and CrossCountry services between Edinburgh and York
- Northern services between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport
- ScotRail services between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh
- TransPennine Express services between Edinburgh and Newcastle, and also between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester / York
If you are travelling from Carlisle / Penrith towards Manchester:
You can use your ticket at no extra cost on the following services and routes:
- Northern services towards Newcastle, connecting with a TransPennine Express service to Manchester.
- Rail replacement transport has been requested to operate between Carlisle and Oxenholme, calling at Penrith. The connecting service from Oxenholme is a TransPennine Express service to Manchester Airport, calling at Preston, Bolton, Manchester Oxford Road and Manchester Piccadilly.
If you are travelling northbound:
If you are travelling from Manchester, Bolton or Liverpool Lime Street towards Edinburgh and Glasgow Central, you can travel via the East Coast Mainline. You can therefore use your ticket at no extra cost on the following services in both directions:
- LNER and CrossCountry services between York and Edinburgh
- Northern services between Manchester Airport / Bolton and Manchester Piccadilly
- ScotRail services between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central
- TransPennine Express services between York and Liverpool Lime Street / Manchester Piccadilly
If you are travelling from Manchester or Liverpool Lime Street towards Penrith and Carlisle:
You can use your ticket at no extra cost on the following services and routes:
- Rail replacement transport between Carlisle and Oxenholme
- TransPennine and Northern services between Manchester Airport and Oxenholme, calling at Bolton and Preston
If you are unable to defer your journey, you are strongly advised to check your journey in full before you attempt to travel.
TransPennine Express tickets dated Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 November can be used at no extra cost up to and including Friday 7 November.
If the train you intended to travel on is cancelled or you are unable to complete your journey then you can apply for a refund from your point of purchase.
Please be advised that the above operators are expected to be busy due to this disruption.
If you require any connecting services, please check information screens or speak to a member of staff.
Caledonian Sleeper customer advice
All north and southbound Caledonian Sleeper services between Glasgow, Edinburgh and London have been cancelled.
Trains will remain on the platform overnight and guests can stay onboard if they wish. They can travel onwards tomorrow on any Lumo service between Edinburgh and London Kings Cross. For onward connections to / from Edinburgh you can travel on any ScotRail service. Simply show your Caledonian Sleeper ticket for free travel on these operators services.
All guests will receive a full refund and if you booked directly with us, this will be processed automatically. Please contact your retailer to claim your refund if you booked via a third party.
All north and southbound services between Aberdeen, Fort William, Inverness and London are operating but will divert via the East Coast Main Line meaning trains will not be calling at Carlisle, Preston, Crewe or Watford Junction.
Boarding and departure times are unaffected. Services will arrive later than advertised in Aberdeen at 08:50, Fort William at 11:00, Inverness at 09:45 and London at 09:00.
More information is available on the Travel Updates page of the Caledonian Sleeper website.
