Great Western Coffee Shop

On 1 June 2009, at approximately 14:20 hrs, train 2C31, which formed the 13:05 hrs Whitehaven to Carlisle service, was travelling on the Maryport and Carlisle section of the Cumbrian Coast line, heading towards Carlisle. The driver of train 2C31 had been requested to visually examine the line between Dalston and Cummersdale near Carlisle (figure 1) to find a defect in the track which had been reported by the driver of the preceding train, 2C47, to the signaller. While scanning the line, the driver of train 2C31 noticed a severe track buckle approximately 200 metres ahead. He applied the emergency brake but was unable to stop before the buckle. The leading bogie of train 2C31 derailed and ran on for approximately 25 metres. The trailing bogie was not derailed.

There were no injuries among the 15 passengers and two crew on board. Damage to the single car train was principally around the leading bogie and surrounding vehicle body. Damage to the track arising directly from the track buckle and derailment was confined to a length of about 30 metres around the point of derailment. However, more extensive repairs to stabilise the track over a distance of approximately 1.6 km were carried out.