Awakening: Train derails after hitting object on track at 90 mph

A train collided with an object on a 90mph track in Surrey, causing disruption across the train operator’s network.

The incident initially led to the closure of four lines between Woking and Surbiton, before causing disruption across the South Western Railway (SWR) network.

Network Rail said the train collided with the object at around 90mph near Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, at around 5:50pm Japan time.

SWR said services between London, Exeter St Davids, Portsmouth Port and Weymouth were affected.

The track will remain closed throughout the day.

Nick Dransfield, a passenger on the derailed train, said: “The train hit something, there was a loud bang, the train shook and it came to an emergency stop.”

He added: “Sparks erupted from the side of the train.”

Mr Dransfield praised the train’s crew for being “on duty” and checking on the safety of passengers.

Network Rail said it was not yet clear what the object was and the speed of the train at the time of the incident.

The Rail Accident Investigation Bureau (RAIB) announced that a preliminary investigation is being carried out and a team of inspectors has begun collecting evidence.

RAIB said a decision on whether to open an investigation would be made after the evidence had been reviewed.

The train involved was one of the first to pass through the area after Network Rail carried out maintenance work on the line over the weekend.

It has not been confirmed whether this object was involved in this operation.

Disruption is expected until the end of Monday.

Network Rail aims to complete repairs in time for the first train to depart on Tuesday, but is urging customers to check before traveling.

A Network Rail spokesperson apologized for the disruption and said: “There were no injuries and all passengers were safely escorted from the train, however the line through the area is currently closed while investigations are carried out.”

“Initial investigations indicate that the front wheels of the train have derailed, so it may take some time for the railway to reopen.”

SWR advised customers not to attempt to pass through Woking station on Monday and called on customers across its network to check their travel planners before departing that evening.

All four tracks between Woking and Surbiton were closed, causing confusion on other routes as crews and trains were in the wrong place.

The operator said it was working with Network Rail to re-rail and recover the stranded trains, before engineering teams repaired the damaged track.

Stuart Meek, SWR’s Chief Operations Officer, said: “Accidents like this are thankfully rare and are due to the quick actions of the driver and his calm and professionalism in bringing the train to a safe halt. And we’re all thankful that no one was hurt.” Here’s how our SWR colleagues got our customers to safety.

“However, it has been a difficult day for customers across our network and we apologize for the disruption this morning’s partial train derailment near Walton-on-Thames has caused to customers’ journeys and plans.

“We are working incredibly hard with our colleagues at Network Rail to ensure we can safely reopen our trains in time for the first train on Tuesday, but given the uncertainty, we recommend that travel planners Please Confirm.”