Rush hour drama as train derailed at Darlington station (From The Northern Echo)

Rush hour drama as train derailed at Darlington station

10:34am Saturday 28th November 2009

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COMMUTERS and other train passengers faced disruption during yesterday morning’s rush hour following a derailment at Darlington station.

An investigation has been launched after a Northern Rail train left the lines 300 yards south of the station at 6.30am.

Services using the mainline station were affected throughout the morning until the train was finally cleared.

The train which left the tracks was not a scheduled service and had no passengers aboard.

Only the driver was on the train. He was reported to be shaken but otherwise unhurt.

Northern Rail confirmed it would conduct an investigation during the next few days to find out why the train derailed.

A spokesman added: “Northern Rail apologises for any inconvenience caused.”

The company worked with crews from Network Rail to clear the train from the lines and return services to normal by 12.45pm.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “There needs to be an investigation into the incident.

Early indications are that it was not to do with the infrastructure.”

All services, including CrossCountry, East Coast, First TransPennine Express, Northern Rail, were affected by the incident.

Some services were cancelled, with replacement buses put on. Other services were hit by delays of up to 30 minutes.

Northern Rail said that trains were running between Saltburn and Middlesbrough with bus replacement services in operation between Middlesbrough and Darlington.

The train was approaching platform three when it derailed.

Only one platform was in use for a short time, although the main two platforms suffered only minor disruption.

Spokesmen for both Cross- Country and East Coast reported delays of between five and 15 minutes.

A spokesman for East Coast said: “We did have some delays but nothing too major, owing to congestion at Darlington station first thing.”

Only last month, three passengers were taken to hospital with minor injuries after a low-speed collision at Darlington railway station.

The injuries were as a result of a Northern Rail train hit the back of an East Coast train, which had started to pull out of the station.

Network Rail confirmed an investigation was under way.

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