GBR Anglia has warned that rail disruption following the partial derailment of a GB Railfreight container train at Barking will continue while engineers repair extensive infrastructure damage.
The freight service was travelling from London Gateway when the incident occurred at about 13:10 on Friday 23 October. GBR Anglia said around 1.2km of track had been affected.
Recovery operation under way
GBR Anglia, GB Railfreight and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) are working to remove the derailed train and assess the damage. The train operator described the recovery as a complex operation, with detailed inspections continuing before the route can safely reopen.
Martin Beable, chief operating officer at GBR Anglia, said: “At around 13:10 on Friday, we received reports of a partial derailment of a freight train at Barking station.
“The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) attended the site following the incident and will carry out an investigation.
“Our engineers are on site assessing the damage and are in the process of removing the damaged wagon. Once this work is complete, repairs to the railway can begin, with the aim of restoring normal train services as quickly and safely as possible.
“This recovery is complex due to the significant damage to infrastructure with approximately 1.2km of track needing to be renewed.”
Passenger services affected
c2c said on Sunday 25 October that the extent of the damage meant its services would remain affected throughout the following week. Trains are not calling at Dagenham Dock, Rainham and Purfleet until further notice, and customers have been advised not to travel from those stations.
Rail replacement buses and ticket acceptance on local bus services are being provided as alternative travel arrangements. GBR Anglia has also advised customers travelling from Dagenham Dock, Rainham, Purfleet and Grays not to travel until further notice, while passengers elsewhere on the route are being urged to check their journeys before setting out.
Beable added: “We apologise for the ongoing disruption, and we will continue to keep customers updated as the recovery continues”.