TfW unit crunch at Craven Arms

Three DMUs operated by the publicly-run operator collided with equipment abandoned on the railway.

THREE TfW Class 150 DMUs working the 1V78 21.09 Crewe-Cardiff Central via Chester on May 22 were damaged after they collided with a mini digger outside Craven Arms.

Leading units Nos. 150242 and 150279 received collision damage and were affected by a subsequent fire, while trailing unit No. 150240 was later removed undamaged.

The British Transport Police has launched a criminal investigation, as the digger is believed to have been stolen.

Fortunately, there were no serious injuries resulting from the crash, which occurred when the train was travelling at around 60mph.

The line south of Shrewsbury was closed for two days following the incident to allow the BTP to comb the site and TfW to remove the DMUs from the main line.

Class 150 units Nos. 150242 and 150279 await recovery by road transport at a siding near Craven Arms on May 28. Keith Boddey