Derailed in Grange-over-Sands: An unexpected stop
Alright folks, let’s talk about the elephant in Cumbria – or should I say, the train on the tracks?
That’s right, the recent derailment near Grange-over-Sands station has thrown a spanner in the works for all our travel plans.
But before we get into the nitty-gritty of delays and replacement buses, let’s take a minute to appreciate the good news: everyone on board got out safely! A round of applause for that.
Now, for those who weren’t glued to the news, here’s the lowdown.
A Northern train heading towards Barrow (after starting at Preston) decided to take a scenic detour – off the tracks, that is. Thankfully, there were only four passengers and four staff members on board, and everyone was evacuated without a hitch.
That’s a good thing because train derailments can be pretty scary situations.
But hold on, the plot thickens!
It seems our runaway train wasn’t the only shocker.
Upon closer inspection, railway engineers discovered a bit of a surprise under the tracks – a void or sinkhole, to be precise.
Now, imagine a train zooming along, and then suddenly the ground disappears beneath it. Yikes! No wonder it decided to take a break.
This unexpected plot twist throws a whole new spanner in the works (because apparently, Cumbria’s transportation system has a thing for spanners).
Network Rail’s best guess is that it’ll take a good two weeks to investigate this whole situation, get the train back on its rightful path, and fix the tracks.
The six-carriage train was travelling at 56 mph (90 km/h) when it derailed, with the first three cars coming off the tracks.
The derailed train then hit a wall at the top of an embankment but remained upright.
That means the route between Lancaster and Barrow-in-Furness is closed for business, at least for train travel.
So, what are our options? Well, buckle up for a bumpy ride on the replacement bus rodeo.
Northern Rail has set up a service to keep things moving, but let’s be honest, it’s not quite the same as relaxing on a train, admiring the view. Here’s hoping those buses have comfy seats and decent wifi!
Now, the big question on everyone’s mind: what caused this whole drama?
The investigation is still ongoing, so we don’t have a definitive answer yet.
Some folks are mumbling about bad weather, while others point toward possible track issues.
Whatever the reason, let’s hope Network Rail gets to the bottom of it and makes sure this doesn’t become a regular Cumbria special.
In the meantime, if you were planning a trip on this route, here’s your chance to get creative!
Maybe dust off your bike, explore some scenic backroads, or even channel your inner David Attenborough and go on a wildlife-spotting adventure (just stay clear of the train tracks, alright?).
Look, this derailment is a pain, sure. But hey, it’s also a chance to embrace the unexpected.
Who knows, maybe this little detour will lead you to discover a hidden gem in Cumbria. And hey, at least everyone’s safe!
So, chin up, Cumbria crew, and let’s navigate this transportation hiccup with a bit of patience and maybe a sprinkle of adventure.
Here’s to hoping things get back on track soon (pun intended) and we can all get back to our regularly scheduled journeys.
Within hours of the crash, Norther established a rail replacement bus service, stopping at all stations between Lancaster and Barrow.
Until then, stay safe, and maybe pack a good book for those replacement bus rides!
If you are looking for a holiday cottage in Grange-over-Sands Enquire here.
