Posted 3rd August 2015 | 1 Comment

Line closed by engineering trains collision

THE line between Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Dumfries and Carlisle could be closed for two weeks after two engineering trains collided.

The accident at Cumnock on the Glasgow & South Western route involved two ballast trains, one of which ran into the back of the other on Saturday, derailing some of the wagons.

There are no reports of any injuries, but the track was damaged by the derailment.

Network Rail said it could take ten days to remove the wagons, and that a crane is needed at the site.

No trains can run between Kilmarnock and Dumfries until the site has been cleared and the track repaired, and replacement buses have been provided.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch will launch an inquiry.

Reader Comments:

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  • Chris Jones-Bridger, Buckley Flintshire

    It's really disappointing to see yet another collision involving ballast trains while engaged in engineering activities. Fortunately once again serious injury has been averted. Management of train movements within possessions must now rank as one of the highest safety risks in the industry. Having investigated many similar collisions since their instigation I look with interest at what further recommendations RAIB can now make. Working without the protection of fixed signalling it is essential that the PICOP can accurately identify and communicate the location of standing trains and worksites and that the speed of all movements is regulated appropriately to avoid collisions.

    Of equal disappointment is the timescale quoted by NR to recover the rolling stock from site and make repairs to the damaged infrastructure. Collectively the industry appears to lost the ability and will to restore services in a timely manner. Given the reduction in availability of breakdown resources and the loss of the skilled staff this is hardly a surprise.