Derailment disrupts train services

Jun 29 2012

Rail services are expected to be disrupted on Friday morning following a freight train derailment in the Highlands.

The 24-wagon train came off the tracks near Tulloch just after 7pm on Thursday, blocking the West Highland line between Crianlarich and Mallaig.

A spokeswoman for British Transport Police said the train was derailed because of a landslide.

She said the driver was badly shaken by the incident, but he was not physically injured. No-one else was hurt.

ScotRail's Caledonian sleeper service from Fort William to London Euston, which was due to run overnight, was cancelled and trains between Crianlarich and Mallaig were also suspended.

Network Rail said the remote location would make it difficult to recover the derailed train and it is not known when services will resume.

The line was expected to remain closed on Friday morning.

Services have also been affected on both of the main lines to and from Scotland because of the weather.

Trains were hit by floods in Cumbria and near Newcastle on Thursday, while a landslip near Berwick-upon-Tweed meant services on the East Coast Main Line were severely disrupted.