A derailed train at a Newcastle depot has caused major rail disruptions throughout the day.
An investigation has been launched after a TransPennine Express train came off the tracks and smashed into concrete near the Heaton depot at around 6.30am on Tuesday.
There were no passengers on board when the incident occurred and it has been confirmed there were no injuries as a result. The incident caused major disruption to several rail services in and out of Newcastle on Tuesday with cancellations and delays expected to last until the end of the day.
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Commuters on some routes were told to expect their journey to be cancelled because the service was unable to depart from the depot. The routes affected included Newcastle to Hexham/Carlisle, Morpeth/Chathill, Middlesbrough and Darlington, as well as Middlesbrough to Saltburn/Bishop Auckland routes
It has been confirmed that an investigation has now been launched and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch has been informed.
A spokesperson for TransPennine Express said: “There has been major disruption to our services between Newcastle and Liverpool/ Edinburgh, following a derailment during a routine depot move by one of our trains at Newcastle depot.
“Thankfully, no-one was injured, and services are now running again on the route, albeit with residual delays and cancellations. Customers planning on travelling by train today are advised to allow plenty of extra time and check carefully, up to the last minute, via our website or National Rail Enquiries for the latest information.”
Dramatic pictures show the carriage of the train on its side as rail workers, who have been on the site all day, assess the situation in the area to carry out recovery. Disruption to some services was cleared at around 11am after trains were allowed to exit the Heaton depot. Northern Rail confirmed at around 5pm that disruption caused had ended.
However, as of 5pm on Tuesday afternoon, no estimated time for recovery was released. Rail workers remain at the scene while the investigation continues.
A spokesperson for the Government's Rail Accident Investigation Branch said: "The RAIB has been notified of an derailment which occurred this morning at Heaton depot. RAIB has requested the railway to secure evidence relating to the derailment, this will be reviewed by the Branch and the appropriate course of action decided in the coming days."
