Work to recover a derailed freight train near Sheffield is disrupting passenger services in the area.
At around 02:45 on the morning of Wednesday 11 November, a freight service carrying cement derailed at the north end of Sheffield station whilst on route from Hope to Dewsbury.
The incident has caused significant damage to both the tracks and the signalling system and substantial repairs need to take place. However, before these repairs take place, the derailed train needs to be removed.
Network Rail workers were on site overnight, and investigators from the Rail Accident and Investigation Branch (RAIB) were also on the scene, working to establish the cause of the derailment.
Only three of the eight platforms at Sheffield station were available for use on Wednesday, with two more expected to reopen on the following day. This meant that there was major disruption to Northern, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry and East Midlands Railway services.
There was also some disruption to motorists in Sheffield as the A61, which runs in front of Sheffield station, partially closed to allow cranes, brought in to move the derailed train, to be stabled there.
Matt Rice, route director for Network Rail’s North and East Route, said: “This is a significant incident, so it’s only right that we take time to find out all of the facts and understand what has caused this.
“Once it is safe to do so, we will start work to remove the train, better assess the extent of the damage and make a plan for repairs.
“This process is taking some time and we are sorry for the disruption which this is causing. There will still be service changes tomorrow and over the coming days. We urge anyone planning to travel to, from or via Sheffield to check before travelling.”
