Crane arrives to rescue derailed train at Grange

Network Rail engineers could be seen in the station and where the train was just after the end of the promenade on Monday.

The crane on the Furness Line (Image: Steve Paton)

A small group of people, largely rail enthusiasts and locals, had gathered on the footbridge to see the crane slowly make its way to sit alongside Northern train the Deva Victrix at around 1.30pm.

The crane had approached the site from the Barrow end of the Furness Line. 

The train could only be removed and the rail repaired after the Rail Accident Investigation Branch had completed its initial investigation, says Network Rail.

Around 150m away from the derailment location, a void in the ground had opened which has been described as a sinkhole. 

Once the train is removed, Network Rail will carry out repairs to the ground, install new ballast and lay new track. Northern said that disruption to services on the Furness Line will be expected until April 8, with a replacement bus in place from Barrow to Lancaster. 

The train was still off the track on Monday morning (Image: Newsquest, Daniel Pye)

Train services began running on between Carlisle and Barrow on the Cumbrian coast line again on Monday March 25, after the conclusion of bridge repairs at Workington. 

All four passengers and four crew members who were on the service were evacuated safely. 

One passenger, who did not want to be named, described being on the train. 

He said: "I was sat on the left hand side of the train. There was just me sat where I was. All of a sudden we just heard this big bang, it was running on the gravel, veering off to the left. Panic set in. The train leaned to the left as if it was going over. I just grabbed the table in dear life. At last, it came to a standstill." 

Some people gathered on the footbridge to see the train being re-railed (Image: Newsquest, Daniel Pye)

The passenger said the staff were 'absolutely great' when it happened. 

Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern, said: “While services are unable to run between Barrow-in-Furness and Lancaster, we are working with partners to offer what rail replacement alternatives we can. This includes buses between Lancaster and Barrow calling at Lancaster, Carnforth, Silverdale, Arnside Grange-over-Sands, Kents Bank, Cark, Ulverston, Dalton, Roose and Barrow -In-Furness.

The train seen from above with Morecambe Bay and Grange in the background (Image: Network Rail)

“Disruption is expected to last some time, so customers should make alternative arrangements wherever possible. We're sorry for the inconvenience and delay.

“Customers can always speak to a member of our team at their local station or visit northernrailway.co.uk/service-updates for the latest information.”