Media centre

Tuesday 4 May 2021

Derailed engineering train back on track at Church Fenton ahead of vital repairs overnight

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: North & East

Work to recover a derailed engineering train and repair damage to the track and signalling equipment will continue overnight, with services expected to resume tomorrow afternoon.

Network Rail workers have been on site since the early hours of this morning (Tuesday 4 May), when an engineering train derailed at Church Fenton, causing disruption between Leeds and York. 

The line between Church Fenton and Micklefield closed so essential investigations could take place safely, meaning trains have been cancelled, delayed, or diverted throughout the day, with bus replacement services in operation for some routes.

Moving the five derailed wagons was a complex recovery process as the engineering train was carrying long pieces of rail, which had already been welded together ready to be installed in the area. Network Rail teams have now rerailed the wagons and removed them from the site, meaning repairs to the track, points and signalling equipment can take place overnight, so that services can resume safely as soon as possible.

Once the work is complete, the line between Church Fenton and Micklefield is expected to reopen tomorrow afternoon, meaning journeys between Leeds and York can resume.

Passengers who need to travel tomorrow morning are strongly advised to check their journey via National Rail Enquiries or with their train operator. People should continue to follow the latest Government guidance and minimise travel as much as possible.

Matt Rice, Route Director for Network Rail’s North and East Route, said: “I’d like to thank all those whose journeys have taken longer than usual today for their patience, and to thank those living near the railway in Church Fenton for their understanding and support.

“We’re continuing to do all we can to get a normal service up and running again as safely and quickly as possible, and I encourage passengers to continue to check their journeys in advance if travelling between Leeds and York.”

ENDS