Shrewsbury to Machynlleth line reopening update as route remains closed after head-on collision

The Cambrian Line will remain closed until at least the end of Friday following Monday night’s crash near Talerddig. 

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch continues to investigate the head-on collision. One passenger died afterwards from a suspected heart attack and 15 injured people were taken to hospital. 

Network Rail and Transport for Wales have both said the line will remain shut for at least two more days while investigators finish examining the scene and work to remove the Class 158s gets under way. 

NR will also need to examine the infrastructure for damage before the line is reopened. 

A NR and TfW spokesman said: “A replacement bus operation will remain in place calling at all stations on the route and customers should check before they travel and allow for journeys to take longer than usual. 

“Services between Machynlleth and Pwllheli/Aberystwyth and between Shrewsbury and Birmingham International will continue to run as planned. 

“Both TfW and Network Rail would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone in the local community for the overwhelming level of support they have provided during this difficult incident.” 

Initial findings from RAIB have found that wheel/rail adhesion was “relatively low” on the approach to the crash site. 

The 1831 Shrewsbury-Aberystwyth was in collision with the 1909 Machynlleth-Shrewsbury at 1926 on October 21, 800 metres west of Talerddig loop where the westbound train should have stopped to wait for the eastbound service. 

A RAIB spokeswoman said staff would “secure the necessary evidence to support our independent safety investigation”.  

“This will include examining the condition of the train and downloading its ‘black box’ data recorder, inspecting the track, analysing data from railway signalling and radio systems, and interviewing witnesses. 

“RAIB’s initial inspection of the track on approach to the point of collision found evidence that wheel/rail adhesion was relatively low, suggesting that the train may have entered into wheel slide when braking. This will be an area of ongoing investigation.”