Freight derailment east Somerset junction 20/3/17

[whole diary]

[LiskeardRich]

A freight train has derailed at East Somerset junction. 7 wagons reported off the track. No other details as yet,

[bobm]

Seven wagons off. Two on their side.

A set of points destroyed and several broken sleepers.

[John R]

National Rail reporting disruption until at least 9pm, which sounds a tad optimistic given that description of the damage.

[JayMac]

RAIB^▸ (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) have tweeted to say they are en route to investigate.

59001, Yeoman Endeavour, was the loco hauling the stone train.

According to internal sources, the location is exactly the same (set of points 943B) as the derailment in 2008.

Note: I've provided the web link to the previous RAIB incident report for reference only. No connection between the two incidents, save for location, is implied or intended.

[grahame]

20:49 Bristol to Weymouth (due 23:13) terminates at Frome at 21:50
Extra train at 22:08 from Castle Cary to Weymouth, due there at 23:13

Impressive for running as much as possible to time, but I suspect a big fail for Bristol to Weymouth passengers!

[TaplowGreen]

.....as if that wasn't enough.......

Cancellations to services between Bristol Parkway and Cheltenham Spa


Due to a person being hit by a train between Bristol Parkway and Cheltenham Spa the line is blocked.
Train services running through these stations will be cancelled or delayed by up to 60 minutes. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

[PhilWakely]

Cancellations to services between Castle Cary and Westbury

Due to a derailed train (7Z15 - 17:05 Merehead to Acton with 7 wagons off and 2 on their side) between Castle Cary and Westbury all lines are blocked.
Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or diverted. Disruption is expected until 23:59 21/03.

Additional Information
A freight train has derailed on the line between Castle Cary and Frome blocking all lines. Network Rail response staff are on site assessing the situation however Network Rail have confirmed that the line will be closed on the 21st March 2017. Replacement road transport is being organised to serve all stations without a train service for the remainder of today and all day tomorrow. A shuttle train service will operate between Weymouth and Castle Cary on the 21st March 2017. Customers are advised to check train times before travelling.

[Jason]

News and a picture courtesy of Network Rail here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39334158

[JayMac]

The loco and first 23 wagons made it over the points in question. Wagons 24-29 derailed. Wagons 30-38 stayed on the rails.

The loco and first 21 wagons have been moved to Westbury yard. 22-38 remain at the incident site. Heavy lifting equipment is en route from Rugby, due to arrive this afternoon - 21st March 2017.

[ChrisB]

The freight train was pulling 38 wagons, when seven of them partially derailed

[bradshaw]

There are four photos on the Network Rail Twitter feed which show the situation

[JayMac]

The freight train was pulling 38 wagons, when seven of them partially derailed

Internal sources suggest six derailed. 24-29.

[TaplowGreen]

Out of interest (and please forgive my lack of knowledge) how are derailments usually caused? Not asking anyone to speculate on this one, just interested.

[stuving]

There are four photos on the Network Rail Twitter feed which show the situation

Is it my imagination, or do the front and back of that train disagree about whether they were going via the Branch Loop?

[LiskeardRich]

There are four photos on the Network Rail Twitter feed which show the situation

Is it my imagination, or do the front and back of that train disagree about whether they were going via the branch Loop?

From the photos shown it goes look the case, it won't take much to work out how, but the investigation will look at why,