The Barking Friday derailment aftermath continues

The aftermath of a freight train derailment at Barking, east London, continues to disrupt railway services, with repairs expected to extend deep into this week. The incident on Friday, 23 October, caused extensive damage to track, overhead line equipment and rolling stock, affecting a key interchange between London’s passenger network and freight routes serving the capital’s ports.

Nationalised passenger operator c2c has released pictures showing the extent of the damage. Meanwhile, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has sent inspectors to the scene to begin gathering evidence. The full implications for freight services remain unclear.

The derailment involved a GB Railfreight intermodal train travelling from London Gateway towards Hams Hall, Birmingham. The incident happened at around 13:10 on Friday, affecting the railway near Barking station. Several container flat wagons were badly damaged, with images showing displaced bogies and detached axles. RailFreight.com understands that at least one wagon is too badly damaged to be recovered and is being broken up on site.

The damaged rolling stock is understood to have been dragged for around 2,000 metres, damaging track and overhead line equipment. A report published by Thurrock Nub News on Sunday, citing Great British Railways’ Anglia region (the nationalised amalgam of the passenger operator c2c and the infrastructure agency Network Rail), said around 1.2km of track was affected. Detailed inspections were continuing to establish the full extent of the repairs required.

This story was originally published by RailFreight.com. Read the full story at RailFreight.com →