Sign up to our weekly newsletter, RAIL Briefing

West Coast Main Line re-opens

The 1051 Edinburgh-London Euston passes through the site of the floods north of Carlisle today (December 8). NETWORK RAIL.

The West Coast Main Line north of Carlisle has re-opened, two days after it was under eight feet of water.

The first train to pass was the 1051 Edinburgh Waverley-London Euston, operated by Virgin Trains, which passed through the affected area just after 1300 today (December 8).

Network Rail engineers worked around the clock to carry out repairs after Storm Desmond caused widespread flooding in the North West.

The water subsided on December 7, and NR has subsequently removed debris and mud from the railway. Repairs to the track and infrastructure have also been completed.

Engineers will remain in place to repair damaged signalling and electrical equipment. Until that is completed speed restrictions will remain in place.

Meanwhile the Cumbrian Coast Line between Carlisle and Workington remains closed, as NR continues repairs to remove three landslides and repair two flood sites. It is hoped the line will re-open this week.

  • For much more on this, read RAIL 790, published on December 23.

Comment as guest


Login  /  Register

Comments

  • Andrewjgwilt1989 - 08/12/2015 16:04

    Looks like WCML is heading back into service after the aftermath of Storm Desmond that caused havoc across Northern England, Northern Ireland and most parts of Scotland.

    Reply as guest

    Login  /  Register

RAIL is Britain's market leading modern railway magazine.

Download the app

Related content