Train derailment forces partial cancellation of Inverness-Wick services
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RAIL passengers on the Inverness-Wick line were suffering disruption this morning after a freight train derailment forced the suspension of all services north of Helmsdale.
The minor derailment occurred shortly before 8am and involved a train carrying industrial pipes at the Georgemas Junction.
The freight engine’s front set of wheels became derailed while the engine was moving a portion of the train’s freight wagons into a sidings.
"The engine was travelling at a very low speed when the incident occurred and no-one has been injured in the incident," said a Network Rail spokesman.
"Engineers and equipment will be brought to the site over the course of today to rerail the engine and remove the train’s remaining wagons, which are currently blocking the passenger line to Wick and Thurso.
"Further details of the timescales for recovery of the derailed engine will be given once engineers on site have completed their assessment of the incident."
Scotrail is currently advising passengers that the disruption will continue to affect services until at least late afternoon.
Trains will operate normally between Inverness and Helmsdale, with replacement buses the remainder of the way.
