The locomotive which had been stranded in a wooded area near Carrbridge train station after it derailed almost six weeks ago is removed from the Highlands crash site. A specialist crane was used and a large field had to be dug out and levelled to recover the train
UK: six week recovery of crashed loco
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UK: six week recovery of crashed loco
Here is a photo of the final recovery of a crashed loco that languished in the woods for six weeks before they could finally get it out.
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Re: UK: six week recovery of crashed loco
There are more photos here and a story below:
Crane recovers derailed engine
By Gavin Musgrove
Strathspey & Badenoch Herald
Published: 17 February, 2010
THE locomotive from a freight train which derailed at Carrbridge was finally removed at the weekend, nearly six weeks after the accident, in a major recovery operation.
Nearly 130 metres of new road had to be constructed from the A9 Inverness-Perth road to the crash scene near the village's railway station to get a massive specialist crane on site for the task.
A platform also had to be specially built for the crane, which is capable of lifting 1,000 tonnes, and had to be delivered in four sections because of its massive size.
The 167-tonne engine was eventually lifted from its resting place at around 3am on Sunday by Invergordon company Port Services.
The procedure was completed during the night to minimise disruption to rail services.
Mr Graham Meiklejohn, spokesman for loco owners and operators of the train, DB Schenker, said that the operation had gone according to plan.
He said: "The specialist crane was transported to Carrbridge on four lorries to assist with the recovery operation.
"The crane was assembled on site prior to the recovery operation taking place.
"The remaining containers and locomotive were successfully recovered over the weekend as planned, prior to being moved by road."
He added that the final part of the task was to reinstate the damage done by the derailment.
Mr Meiklejon said: "We are continuing to work closely with those residents who have been affected by the incident as part of the recovery operation."
Network Rail worked on the project in conjunction with DB Shenker, the logistics and delivery specialists, following the accident on January 4.
Network Rail spokesman Nick King said that they had had to construct 130 metres of roadway in order that the crane could gain access to the site of the derailment.
"It took about 3,500 tonnes of infill to make the road, and this has come from our own supplies," he said.
"We hold a lot as we have to build access roads if we are putting in new tracks or other new works."
The freight train was travelling south from the Slochd at 60mph when the driver realised there was a major problem.
The loco was diverted onto a loop and then along a short length of track known as a run-out, designed to divert trains away from the village's railway station.
The locomotive and the first wagon of containers overshot the end of the run-out and came to rest down an embankment, close to houses, with the next five wagons scattered all around.
The last four wagons did not derail in the accident, in which the driver and a technician sustained minor injuries.
Residents living nearby fear another accident happening in the same place but with much more serious consequences unless a new run-out is created away from the village.
The full results of the investigation into the accident by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) have not yet been published.
The RAIB has filed a report of its preliminary investigation into the accident, which involved a class 66 locomotive and the ten wagons carrying containers.
The derailment occurred at around 4.03pm after the 13.14 service from Inverness to Mossend Yard passed a red signal on the single line while approaching Carrbridge station.
An RAIB spokesman said last month: "An initial review of the evidence suggests that the braking performance of the train was below that expected of a train of its type.
"The weather at the time was poor, with a layer of snow and freezing temperatures."
Rail services on the main Highland rail line are now up and running as normal.
Crane recovers derailed engine
By Gavin Musgrove
Strathspey & Badenoch Herald
Published: 17 February, 2010
THE locomotive from a freight train which derailed at Carrbridge was finally removed at the weekend, nearly six weeks after the accident, in a major recovery operation.
Nearly 130 metres of new road had to be constructed from the A9 Inverness-Perth road to the crash scene near the village's railway station to get a massive specialist crane on site for the task.
A platform also had to be specially built for the crane, which is capable of lifting 1,000 tonnes, and had to be delivered in four sections because of its massive size.
The 167-tonne engine was eventually lifted from its resting place at around 3am on Sunday by Invergordon company Port Services.
The procedure was completed during the night to minimise disruption to rail services.
Mr Graham Meiklejohn, spokesman for loco owners and operators of the train, DB Schenker, said that the operation had gone according to plan.
He said: "The specialist crane was transported to Carrbridge on four lorries to assist with the recovery operation.
"The crane was assembled on site prior to the recovery operation taking place.
"The remaining containers and locomotive were successfully recovered over the weekend as planned, prior to being moved by road."
He added that the final part of the task was to reinstate the damage done by the derailment.
Mr Meiklejon said: "We are continuing to work closely with those residents who have been affected by the incident as part of the recovery operation."
Network Rail worked on the project in conjunction with DB Shenker, the logistics and delivery specialists, following the accident on January 4.
Network Rail spokesman Nick King said that they had had to construct 130 metres of roadway in order that the crane could gain access to the site of the derailment.
"It took about 3,500 tonnes of infill to make the road, and this has come from our own supplies," he said.
"We hold a lot as we have to build access roads if we are putting in new tracks or other new works."
The freight train was travelling south from the Slochd at 60mph when the driver realised there was a major problem.
The loco was diverted onto a loop and then along a short length of track known as a run-out, designed to divert trains away from the village's railway station.
The locomotive and the first wagon of containers overshot the end of the run-out and came to rest down an embankment, close to houses, with the next five wagons scattered all around.
The last four wagons did not derail in the accident, in which the driver and a technician sustained minor injuries.
Residents living nearby fear another accident happening in the same place but with much more serious consequences unless a new run-out is created away from the village.
The full results of the investigation into the accident by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) have not yet been published.
The RAIB has filed a report of its preliminary investigation into the accident, which involved a class 66 locomotive and the ten wagons carrying containers.
The derailment occurred at around 4.03pm after the 13.14 service from Inverness to Mossend Yard passed a red signal on the single line while approaching Carrbridge station.
An RAIB spokesman said last month: "An initial review of the evidence suggests that the braking performance of the train was below that expected of a train of its type.
"The weather at the time was poor, with a layer of snow and freezing temperatures."
Rail services on the main Highland rail line are now up and running as normal.