A quiet Monday morning turned chaotic for rail passengers after a high-speed train travelling from Glasgow to London derailed in Cumbria.
What began as another wet and windy day quickly escalated into a travel nightmare that has now left one of Britain’s main railway routes closed for days.
Early Morning Commute Turns into a Scare
The 4:28am Avanti West Coast service from Glasgow Central to London Euston was speeding along near the village of Shap when disaster struck at around 6:15am.
Torrential rain had caused a landslide, sending debris onto the tracks just moments before the train passed.
Despite travelling at roughly 80 miles per hour, the front carriage of the 11-coach train came off the rails but, miraculously, remained upright.
There were 86 people onboard, including crew, and although four passengers sustained minor injuries, everyone escaped without serious harm — something emergency teams described as “remarkable.”
Emergency Response Amid Torrential Rain
Network Rail immediately declared a major incident as emergency crews raced to the remote site, which sits nearly 900 feet above sea level — the highest point along the West Coast Main Line.
The passengers were eventually evacuated to the nearby Shap Wells Hotel, where paramedics and support staff were waiting.
Sam MacDougall, Network Rail’s Director of Operations, praised both the design of the train and the swift response from all involved.
“The train was travelling at around 80 miles an hour at the point of collision and stopped very quickly thereafter,” he said.
“All passengers were safely removed and brought to safety despite the appalling weather and difficult terrain.”
Driver Praised for Quick Thinking
The train’s driver, whose name has not yet been released, is being hailed a hero for keeping the train upright and preventing what could have been a much worse disaster.
Witnesses recalled hearing a “flash and a bang” followed by scraping noises as the train came off the track.
Andy Mellors, Managing Director of Avanti West Coast, expressed deep gratitude to the crew: “Our main priority is the safety and wellbeing of our customers and colleagues.
The professionalism of our onboard staff has been warmly appreciated by passengers.”
Passengers Safely Evacuated and Checked
After being escorted to safety, all passengers were assessed by paramedics.
Four individuals received minor treatment and were discharged shortly after.
Replacement transport was arranged for those continuing south or returning north, though the ongoing disruption has created a logistical headache for both rail staff and commuters.
Major Rail Route Closed for Days
Engineers now face a huge challenge in recovering the damaged train, particularly as conditions remain muddy and dangerous.
The driver’s cab suffered significant damage, and teams expect several days of work before the track can reopen.
Avanti West Coast confirmed on its website that the West Coast Main Line — one of the country’s busiest — will stay closed while the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) conducts a full inquiry.
The closure affects travel between London, Manchester, and Glasgow, with all routes north of Preston currently suspended.
Widespread Disruption Across the North
The suspension impacts major destinations including Blackpool, Lancaster, Oxenholme, Penrith, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Glasgow, Haymarket, and Edinburgh.
Passengers are being urged to avoid all but essential travel, with warnings of “significant disruption” likely to continue throughout the week.
A statement from Avanti West Coast said, “We are developing our response plans and working closely with industry partners to reopen the network as soon as possible.”
Echoes of Past Rail Tragedies
The derailment occurred around 15 miles north of Grayrigg, the site of a deadly 2007 Virgin Trains crash that claimed one life and injured more than 80 people.
It also drew comparisons to the 2020 Carmont disaster near Stonehaven, when a landslip caused a ScotRail train to derail, tragically killing three people.
Thankfully, this time the outcome was far less devastating — but the incident serves as a stark reminder of how vulnerable Britain’s railways are to extreme weather.
Looking Ahead: Safety and Recovery
With investigations now underway, Network Rail engineers are working around the clock to clear the debris, repair damaged infrastructure, and restore the line.
It may take several days before full services resume, and rail operators are advising passengers to check before travelling.
As communities in northern England and southern Scotland brace for more rain, rail officials are once again emphasizing the growing risks that climate and weather conditions pose to the country’s transport network.