NETWORK rail have admitted that they do not know when normal services will be resumed after a train carrying 36 passengers derailed on the Edinburgh to Aberdeen line at the weekend
But ScotRail and CrossCountry Trains said on their websites that disruption – after the incident at Inverkeilor, between Arbroath and Montrose in Angus at 9.45am on Sunday – would last until at least 23:59 last night.
Passengers faced a second day of major disruption at the start of the working week yesterday following the incident.
Those caught up in the crash were ushered to safety on Sunday after the front wheels of the 8.04am CrossCountry Trains service came off the tracks.
British Transport Police described the incident as “a minor derailment”. Emergency services reported no injuries attended the scene and no injuries were reported.
Dozens of trains between Aberdeen and Glasgow and Edinburgh were disrupted as the investigation, by Network Rail and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch into the derailment got underway and safety checks were carried out.
Services were suspended around Montrose and the knock-on impact forced ScotRail, which runs most trains in Scotland, to put on alternative transport for passengers travelling from Aberdeen to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Passengers were advised to allow an extra hour for some journeys and directed to replacement buses.
Robert Collier, chief executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said that while there were no reports of business meetings in the city being cancelled due to the incident, the line needed upgrading.
He said: “The North-east economy is vital for Scotland and the UK due to its world class energy sector. We have been lobbying for a long time for improved rail services and infrastructure.”
As well as CrossCountry Trains, the incident affected passengers travelling on First ScotRail and East Coast services.
Yesterday, ScotRail said just over 50 services were affected and continued running the replacement bus service for part of the route, laid on for passengers on Sunday. The firm also said trains between Aberdeen, Montrose, Edinburgh and Dundee would run as usual. Trains between Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen terminated and began from Dundee.
East Coast services between London Kings Cross and Aberdeen ran only between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh. Passengers were advised to use ScotRail services between Edinburgh and Dundee to connect with replacement buses.
A ScotRail spokeswoman said: “No services have been cancelled but journeys are taking longer. People should allow more time for their journeys in the meantime.”