An investigation into a train derailment in Cumbria last week has been officially launched.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch, which automatically looks into all incidents on the England’s railways, has issued its initial report into the incident.
It happened near Shap last Monday at around 6.10am and was caused by a landslip.
The 4.28am passenger train, which was travelling from Glasgow to London Euston, struck debris that had been washed onto the track.
Travelling at around 83mph, the debris lifted the first bogie off the rails and to the right, where it ran derailed for around 560 metres.
There were nine staff and 86 passengers on board the train at the time of the collision.
Four people were treated for minor injuries as a result of the incident, and damage was caused to the train and to railway infrastructure.
Inspectors from the branch attended the scene on Monday morning.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch said: “The landslip occurred during a period of heavy and sustained rainfall.
“RAIB’s preliminary examination found that a drainage channel, which runs across the slope above the washed-out material, was unable to accommodate the volume of water which was present.
“This led to the slope material below becoming saturated, initiating the landslip.”
It added its independent investigation will determine the sequence of events which led to the derailment.
That will include:
- Design, maintenance and management of earthworks and drainage in this area
- Effectiveness of on-site monitoring equipment
- Operational response to adverse weather warnings
- Performance of the train during the derailment
- Any underlying factors which might have contributed to the derailment.
Network Rail engineers worked round the clock to repair the line and it reopened on Tuesday evening.
