‘Avoid’ crossing, public told after rail route closed

Residents in a Highland village have been urged to avoid the railway line at Ben Alder as Network Rail engineers are working on repairs following a derailment.

The route between Perth and Inverness has been closed since Saturday morning after a train derailed during testing near Dalwhinnie at 3.10am.

It was travelling south when the last two carriages came off the tracks.

It is understood some of the tests being carried out at the time included examining the stepping distances from the train doors to the platforms and the length of the train.

Network Rail staff and engineers are now working around the clock to re-rail the power car and coach before undertaking track and signalling repairs.

The line may remain shut until tomorrow, although Network Rail could not give an estimated time when it could reopen.

No one should be attempting to cross the Ben Alder rail line until further notice, with access to the Ben Alder Estate restricted in that direction.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is investigating the cause of the incident and have sent inspectors to visit the site.

Local councillor Muriel Cockburn is concerned about how the derailment managed to happen but was relieved that no one was injured.

She said: “I’m a bit concerned about what happened as I’d like to see some more details about what was being tested on that route and why.

“Nobody was injured, which is the main thing.

“I’m waiting for a detailed report about this, as I feel we need to reassure the public that their rail transport is safe and that this incident will cause no lasting damage.”

Replacement buses are being put on between Perth and Inverness for those making essential journeys.

However, there has been no news about the freight services that use the route, with supermarkets receiving products on that line.

Ms Cockburn added: “Residents in Dalwhinnie have contacted me as they are really concerned about this closure as the route is used for freights from supermarkets that need to be opened and sent at certain times.

“They are asking whether there will be shortages and if the freight will now be moved on a different route to get to where it needs to go.

“We need more detail but I expect Network Rail to give us that when they can.”

A Network Rail spokesman confirmed that work is continuing on-site to repair the line but that they cannot estimate when it will reopen.

REPAIRS: Two carriages came off the tracks in the early hours of Saturday morning during testing near Dalwhinnie.