Signal fire sparks rail line closure

Angry commuters were left in the lurch after a junction box fire forced the cancellation of trains to Glasgow.

The blaze broke out in the Shieldmuir area last Wednesday causing major disruption to services throughout the week.

Travellers bound for work arrived at Wishaw station on Thursday morning to learn that no trains heading in Glasgow direction would be able to stop.

One commuter told the Wishaw Press: “I came for the 7.54am service to Anderston only to find it was cancelled and passengers would be bussed from Wishaw to Sheildmuir to catch trains.

“But the whole thing was a shambles. The bus didn’t come in time for me to make my scheduled train and everyone was anxious they would be late for work.

“People were calling relatives to make alternative arrangements and the whole thing descended into a farce.

“By the time we got to Shieldmuir I had to take a train to Glasgow Central and walk from there to my workplace.”

Scotrail say services to and from Wishaw were impacted.

A ScotRail Alliance spokesperson said: “Regrettably, due to an electrical fire at a junction box, some train services through Wishaw were impacted.

“A replacement bus service for customers was put in place and we asked that everyone using Wishaw station checked their journey in advance.”

The line is now re-open.