Train derailment on Highland Line – no injuries
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Services on the main Highland Line have been severely disrupted after a derailment early today.
The incident happened during an early morning test run. The service was not carrying any passengers and nobody was injured when it got into difficulty near Dalwhinnie at around 3.15am.
ScotRail confirmed the line has been blocked.
One villager told the Ross-shire Journal's sister paper, The Strathy: "The power car has derailed completely but has fortunately stopped upright.
"But from what I'm told at the scene it's going to take a lot of civil engineering to sort this out now.
"Major crane work is required to restore the line and it's going to be a few days from what I hear before services can be back to normal."
Emergency services and recovery crews are still at the scene but it is not currently known how long it will take for the line to reopen.
Services have been disrupted while works to recover the stricken train remain ongoing.
Trains travelling north are only able to go as far as Pitlochry and will restart at Aviemore.
Southbound trains are currently stopping at Aviemore and picking up again at Pitlochry.
This was not a passenger service, and nobody was injured during the incident.
It is not yet known how long the process will take to recover the train and reopen the line. Network Rail will provide information and updates where possible.
A ScotRail spokesperson told the Strathy: “Services between Perth and Inverness are currently disrupted, there will be replacement bus services for those making essential journeys.
“Customers should check our website, app and social media channels for the latest arrangements before they travel.”
A probe into the circumstances of the derailment by accident investigators is also set to begin.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has posted: “RAIB is deploying inspectors to gather evidence following the derailment.
“The train consisted of a short-form HST that was travelling south when the last two vehicles derailed in proximity to points.”
According to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, a short-formed HST was travelling south when the train derailed “in proximity to points”.
