Carlisle train derailment caused by damaged wheel, inspectors think

One of the derailed cement wagons entered the river below the bridge

A freight train derailment which has closed a line was "almost certainly" caused by a damaged wheel hitting part of the track, inspectors have found.

Five cement wagons derailed near Petteril Bridge junction in Carlisle at about 20:00 BST on Wednesday.

It caused "substantial damage" to infrastructure, with disruption between Carlisle, Newcastle and Leeds expected until at least 27 October.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is continuing its inquiries.

Network Rail, which manages railway infrastructure, has warned the line could be closed for weeks due to the severity of the damage.

An initial RAIB report said the train had left Clitheroe, Lancashire, at 17:15 BST and was travelling to Carlisle Yard when it left the track.

It was made up of 14 wagons, five of which derailed with one subsequently entering the river.

There were no injuries but the damage to railway infrastructure and some of the vehicles involved was substantial, it said.

Investigators say an initial inquiry points to a damaged wheel hitting part of the track

The RAIB said it appeared the derailment "was almost certainly a result of a wheelset with false flanges encountering a set of switches that are part of the junction".

False flanges are associated with the flat areas on wheel treads which can result when rail wheels stop rotating while a vehicle is running, the RAIB said.

"Our investigation will seek to identify the sequence of events which led to the accident," it added.

"It will include consideration of track conditions, the condition of the wagons, wagon characteristics, the status of the train's braking systems and any underlying management factors."

Nobody was injured in the detrainment but the line is likely to be closed for weeks

A full report will be published in due course.

Northern, which runs services on the line, said "where possible" trains would operate between Wetheral and Newcastle, and between Leeds and Appleby.

Buses will replace some rail journeys, it added.

People are advised to check the Northern and National Rail websites for information.