A train derailment in Cumbria is causing huge delays, with more expected in the coming days.
A major incident was declared by North West Ambulance Service on Monday after the 4.28am Glasgow to London Euston service derailed at around 6.10am near the village of Shap.
British Transport Police (BTP) said passengers had been safely escorted from the train, with no injuries reported.
Images from the scene show extensive damage at the front of the train, which BTP said came off the track but remained upright.
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First pictures of derailed train
The company warned there is likely to be “significant disruption to our network for a number of days”.
Here’s what we know about those delays.
Live updates on train derailment
Which lines and routes are affected?
The Avanti West Coast train derailed between Penrith North Lakes and Oxenholme Lake District in Cumbria, leaving all lines north of Preston blocked.
National Rail said “major disruption” was expected between Carlisle and Preston until the end of the day.
“Trains running between Carlisle and Preston may be delayed by up to 120 minutes or cancelled,” it said.
The services affected are the Avanti trains between Glasgow Central and Birmingham New Street / Crewe / Wolverhampton / London Euston, and between Edinburgh and London Euston.
TransPennine Express between Edinburgh / Glasgow Central and Manchester Airport, and between Glasgow Central and Liverpool Lime Street, are also affected.
Avanti has advised its customers not to try to travel north of the city, and TransPennine Express is advising passengers to avoid travelling if possible.
What if I already have train tickets?
Tickets for today on any affected routes will be valid on Tuesday 4 November without alteration required.
You may be entitled to compensation if you experience delays, according to National Rail, which urges customers to keep their train tickets and make a note of their journey, as both will be required to support any claim.
If you still need to travel today, Avanti says those who already have tickets for its services on the affected routes can use them on the following services at no extra cost:
• CrossCountry between Edinburgh and Birmingham New Street
• LNER between Edinburgh and London Kings Cross
• Northern services between Carlisle and Newcastle and between Preston and York / Manchester Piccadilly
• ScotRail between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central
• TransPennine Express services between Glasgow Central / Edinburgh and Carlisle
If your train is cancelled, your ticket is valid on one of the two Avanti West Coast services immediately before your booked train, or one of the two immediately after, according to customer advice.
TransPennine Express has hourly rail replacement services running between Carlisle and Preston, calling at Penrith North Lakes, Oxenholme Lake District and Lancaster.
If you are travelling from Glasgow Central and Edinburgh towards Manchester and Liverpool Lime Street, you can travel via the East Coast Mainline at no extra cost, TransPennine says.
If you are travelling from Preston towards Manchester, you can use your ticket at no extra cost on any TransPennine Express between Preston and Manchester or the Northern between Preston and Manchester Airport.
If you are travelling from Preston towards Liverpool Lime Street, you can use your ticket at no extra cost on the Avanti service between Preston and Wigan North Western, the Northern between Wigan North Western and Liverpool Lime Street, or the TransPennine Express between Wigan North Western and Liverpool Lime Street.
Those going northbound from Manchester, Bolton or Liverpool Lime Street towards Edinburgh and Glasgow Central can travel via the East Coast Mainline.
If the train you have a ticket for is cancelled, you can travel on any TransPennine Express, Northern, or LNER service within the two hours before or after your cancelled service.
Will there be delays beyond today?
Network rail vehicles near the site of a train derailment near Shap in Cumbria. Pic: Reuters
Avanti says it’s likely there will be “significant disruption to our network for a number of days,” but has not yet provided details on what delays beyond Monday will look like.
This article will be updated with all the latest travel information.
You can also check National Rail’s real time journey planner for immediate updates.
