Media centre

Tuesday 28 Jul 2015

UPDATE: Chilham Derailment.

Region & Route:

| Southern

On the evening of Sunday 26 July we received a report that the first carriage of the 2010 Charing Cross to Ramsgate train had become derailed after hitting cattle in the Godmersham area, between Wye and Chilham.

Since Sunday evening Network Rail staff have been working around the clock to get the Ashford International to Canterbury West line repaired ready for normal service to resume.

On Monday 27 July the Rail Accident Investigation Branch visited the site to begin a thorough investigation of the incident; as soon as they had finished their inspection later that day our engineers began their work.

Before repairs to the track could begin Network Rail engineers had to lift the derailed train back onto the tracks.  This took place late on Monday evening using a crane specially brought in from a depot in north west London.  Once the train had been moved from the site, a full assessment of the damage took place, with around 400 yards of track needing to be replaced along with repairs to the sleepers, ballast and a small bridge.

Throughout Tuesday 28 July engineers worked to replace the damaged track and repair the damaged brick work on the bridge.  Arrangements were also made with the neighbouring farmer to repair the trackside fence.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Thanks to the hard work of our staff we now hope to reopen the Ashford International to Canterbury West line in time for the start of service on Thursday 30 July.   We would like to thank passengers for their patience during this unexpected period of disruption.”

David Statham, Managing Director of Southeastern, said: “I would like to thank everyone for bearing with us through the emergency engineering work on the Ashford International to Ramsgate line following the train derailment on Sunday.

 “Repairing this section of track is a huge undertaking, and engineers are working round the clock to ensure this work is carried out safely and speedily. I am sure passengers will be pleased to hear that Network Rail will have completed this work in time for services to be up and running on Thursday morning."