Derailed train causes chaos on main line in Scotland

Date: 5/11/2012

A partially derailed train on a main line has brought chaos to passengers travelling between Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

The express train came off the rails at Inverkeilor between Arbroath and Montrose in Angus on Sunday, but no reason has yet been found for the accident.

36 passengers along with two crew members were aboard the 8.04am service from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, none of whom were injured.

Emergency crews set up ladders to help those inside exit the train which was left at an angle on the northbound track and also blocking the southbound one.

Alternative transport was put on by First ScotRail from 9.45am, but said that there is likely to be disruption until around midnight on Monday.

It urged anyone travelling on the route to set aside extra time to get to their destination as rail services have been suspended in the area.

The company said in a statement: "The front wheels of the train became derailed but the train remained upright."

Trains between Aberdeen and Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley are not going further than Montrose, where passengers have to get a road replacement service to take them to Dundee.

Network Rail, which operates track and signalling infrastructure, said: "The cause of the partial derailment is being investigated and we are working with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch."

There was no disruption to the Caledonian Sleeper, although passengers planning to board in Aberdeen were bussed to Edinburgh in order to catch the train.

An investigation into the accident, which is the latest of several derailments in Scotland in recent years, is to be carried out.

Widespread flooding led to a mudslide which derailed the front carriage of the Newcraighall to Edinburgh service in July when 30 passengers were rescued from the train.

A year previously a train travelling at low speed without any passengers onboard came off the tracks near Edinburgh's Waverley station.

Posted by Mary Treen

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