July 10, 2015 1.34 pm This story is over 104 months old

Kink in track: Freight train derailment investigation continues

Line reopened: Investigations are continuing after a freight train derailed near Lincoln. The line has been reopened more than 10 days on.

Photo: RAIB

Normal services resumed between Lincoln and Grimsby on Friday, July 10, more than 10 days since a freight train derailed near Lincoln.

The major derailment near to the level crossing at Langworth on June 30 saw 10 empty wagons of the 6E54 freight train from Kingsbury Oil Terminal  leave the tracks, causing significant damage to the line and infrastructure.

The line between Lincoln and Grimsby was closed and services were replaced by buses while the train was recovered.

No one was injured in the incident and there have been no reports of any fuel spillages.

Photo: The Lincolnite

Photo: The Lincolnite

Investigations into the cause of the derailment by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) are ongoing.

An update by the branch on July 10 highlights CCTV images obtained from the site of the crash which it says appears to show a track buckle forming on the track.

Operators warn that on warm days steel rails can expand and buckle and speed restrictions are sometimes put in place on very hot days.

Temperatures of around 28 degrees celsius were recorded in Lincoln on the day of the incident.

The train was travelling at around 48 miles per hour when the driver reported he saw a kink in the left-hand rail.

Shortly afterwards, the train’s brakes were automatically applied bringing it to a stand.

RAIB said in a statement: “Our investigation will examine the sequence of events leading up to and during the derailment, the maintenance of the infrastructure and its preparation for hot weather and any relevant management issues.

“Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry or the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).”