The West Coast Main Line has reopened after a train derailment in Shap on Monday caused significant disruption.
It follows extensive repair work completed by engineers at the scene of the derailment, Network Rail said.
Teams worked around the clock since Monday morning, and all through yesterday in extremely poor conditions, to remove the damaged train before repairing overhead line equipment, tracks and the surrounding bankings and groundworks.
The train involved was the 4.28am service travelling from Glasgow Central to London Euston when the driver reported hitting an object, at around 6.10am.
No one was seriously hurt in the incident, with four people suffering minor injuries and all were evacuated from the train to a nearby hotel and then sent by road to their destinations.
Phil James, North West route director for Network Rail, said: “We’re thankful to passengers for their patience during this disruption.
🆕 LINE REOPENED BETWEEN PRESTON AND CARLISLE
— West Coast Main Line (@networkrailWCML) November 4, 2025
✅ Following our earlier announcement, the railway between Preston and Carlisle has now reopened.
🔎 Passengers should check with train operators for the latest information on their services for tomorrow morning. https://t.co/mwtmi0xL8F
“Our teams have worked extremely hard in very challenging conditions to make sure the West Coast Main Line can be reopened to the public as soon as possible.
“Passengers should now check with train operators for the latest information on their services for this morning.”
Managing director of Avanti West Coast, Andy Mellors, said: “I would firstly like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding during what has been an extremely challenging time.
“Not only have our staff, industry colleagues and the emergency services been rightly praised by customers for their response to the incident as well as the disruption, but Network Rail as well as other industry partners have also been working hard to restore the infrastructure and clear the route.
“The advice remains that we strongly advise customers continue to check the Avanti West Coast website and National Rail enquiries for the latest travel updates.”
The first passenger services to run on the line was the overnight Caledonian Sleeper services planned for Tuesday.
The Rail Investigation Branch, which investigates accidents and incidents on the railway network, sent a team of inspectors to the scene and will determine the cause.
Avanti West Coast said tickets to or from destinations north of Preston dated 3 or 4 November can be used at no extra cost anytime from Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 November. Its destinations north of Preston include Blackpool, Lancaster, Oxenholme, Penrith, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Glasgow, Haymarket, and Edinburgh.
TransPennine Express said customers impacted due to the disruption from the train derailment and the subsequent repair work being completed, can use their tickets at no extra cost between Wednesday November 5 and Friday November 7 or claim a full refund.
