Cumnock Freight Crash Similar To Other Accidents Investigators Warn
Urgent advice is being issued by the rail safety watchdog as it publishes early findings into a crash in Ayrshire 2 weeks ago.
An engineering train ran into the rear of another stationary one at 28 miles an hour - work's still being done to clear the wreckage and repair the tracks near Cumnock.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch's warning of the risks associated with the movement of trains within engineering work sites
Their initial investigation suggests this collision at Logan is very similar to other recent crashes at Arley and Kitchen Hill, near Penrith.
There were no injuries but the locomotive and seven wagons from one train and eleven wagons from the other train were derailed.
The locomotive and some wagons were severely damaged.
One wagon came to rest across a minor roadway.
There was also substantial damage to the track on both railway lines.
The 16 derailed wagons and freight locomotive have now been removed from site and engineers have begun work on the track repairs required for the line to reopen.
Initial investigations have revealed significant track damage and engineers will work around-the-clock over the weekend to repair and replace rails, sleepers and other infrastructure.
A ScotRail Alliance spokesman said: “With extensive damage to the track and other infrastructure to be repaired, our engineers will be working hard throughout the weekend to reopen the line.
“The recovery operation is progressing to plan and we remain confident that we will be able to reopen the line for passengers on Monday, August 17.
“We understand the inconvenience this incident has caused and remain committed to restoring services as quickly as we can.”
Before lifting the engine and wagons, engineers had to first construct a 350m-long haul road, and operating pad, for the 1,000 ton crane required to remove or re-rail the wagons and locomotive.