Derailment brings rail disruption to north east of Scotland

HUNDREDS of rail passengers on the busy East Coast main line had their travel plans severely disrupted today after the derailment of an empty freight train.

Train services on the route were brought to a standstill between Aberdeen and Stonehaven after four wagons on a freight train came off the tracks on earlier tonight, completely blocking the main line both north and southbound.

Buses had to be brought in to ferry rail passengers between the city and the Kincardine town, 15 miles away, as the travel chaos continued throughout the day.

And it is expected to be tomorrow morning at the earliest before services on the busy route can return to normal.

Heavy-lifting cranes were brought in to help clear the line two miles south of Aberdeen as an investigation was launched into the cause of the partial derailment.

The incident involved a south bound freight train, operated by Freightliner, which had been pulling 25 cylindrical freight containers when four of the wagons came off the tracks near East Tullos on the outskirts of Aberdeen.

No one was injured in the accident and Transport Scotland said there was no threat of any environmental impact as the freight wagons had been empty.

A spokesman said: “This incident is now in recovery phase, which is being managed by Network Rail, and we hope this is concluded as soon as possible with minimal disruption for passengers.”

He added: “Derailments are very rare and thankfully there were no reports of injuries. As the wagons were empty, there is also no threat of environmental damage.

Ministers are monitoring the situation to ensure disruption to the travelling public is minimised where possible and are in contact with both Network Rail and ScotRail.”

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “At approximately 4.50pm on Wednesday night a Freightliner heavy haul train derailed approximately two miles south of Aberdeen while exiting Craiginches freight yard.

“Four carriages in total derailed with one toppling onto its side.

“The line currently remains blocked for services between Aberdeen and the Central Belt operated by ScotRail and for services to Aberdeen and Inverness operated by East Coast.”

He said that heavy cranes had been brought in to remove the derailed wagons, adding: “Damage to the track will then be assessed and an appropriate plan put in place to repair damage with a view to restoring full service as early as possible. An estimate for restoration of services will be made once this assessment has been made.”

The spokesman stressed: “The British Transport Police have investigated and found no suspicious circumstances.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) will not be investigating as the derailment occurred within the freight depot siding, not on Network Rail infrastructure.

Network Rail apologises for any inconvenience caused by this incident and will aim to have services restored as quickly as possible.”

A spokeswoman for ScotRail said that it hoped services would return to normal tomorrow.