Train wreckage operation continues

Updated 12.32 Fri Mar 02 2007
Keywords: crash, train, Cumbria

Work to fully reopen the West Coast Mainline is continuing as engineers remove the wreckage of the Cumbria rail crash.

All nine carriages came off the tracks when the 5.15pm London Euston to Glasgow train was derailed shortly after 8pm last Friday night.

An interim report into the crash said the immediate cause of the derailment of the Pendolino train was points failure

The carriages have to be removed before the West Coast Mainline - the major route between London and Glasgow - can fully reopen

The operation began last night after two temporary access roads were built to allow access to the site at Grayrigg, near Kendal.

Two carriages have been lifted away from the wreckage. The first was on a low-loader lorry but the second remained on the ground while forensic teams examined it.

A 1,000-tonne crane is now assembled, ready to begin lifting the other carriages.

One passenger, 84-year-old Margaret "Peggy" Masson, died and 22 others were injured in the accident, which has been blamed on a faulty set of points.

An interim report into the crash said the immediate cause of the derailment of the Pendolino train was points failure.

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