Highland Line heading back on track after derailment disruption

Rail services between Perth and Inverness are running 'as normal' from today following six days of disruption after the test train derailment just outside Dalwhinnie.

The Northern Times understands the train, which hit trouble at 3am last Saturday, was making its way to the station, and presumably others although that's not been confirmed yet, to check stepping heights and distances on Highland platforms.

Rumours have it that freezing weather conditions affected the HST's run and may have caused the derailment, but investigations are continuing as to the cause.

It's not known yet just when the Railway Accident Investigation Branch team will report.

We will have more information on the findings in due course.

With trains running again the only issue, a Network Rail spokesperson said, is a 40mph speed limit currently in operation in certain stretches.

Liam Sumpter, Network Rail’s Route Director for Scotland’s Railway, said: “I would like to thank our passengers and freight customers for bearing with us as we work to get services up and running again on the Highland Main Line.”

David Simpson, ScotRail Operations Director, said: “We know our customers making essential journeys were affected by the line closure, and we did everything possible to keep people moving with alternative arrangements."

Travel information is available at www.scotrail.co.uk

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