An investigation has been launched into a train derailment in Kent. The incident occurred on Thursday night when a high-speed train in a sidings at Ramsgate railway maintenance depot left the tracks. Network Rail has reported that the train was travelling at a low speed and there were no passengers aboard the train and no reported injuries. However, a local resident said that the train was just inches from a family’s garden fence.
Rail operator, Southeastern, indicated that no trains were able to run between Ramsgate and Minster due to a safety inspection of the tracks. Ten minutes later, they confirmed that the inspection was complete and trains could run again. The operator then reported at 20:03 that an additional safety issue had been found which caused trains to be halted between Ramsgate and Minster. Services resumed at 20:16, but at a slow speed, causing delays until 00:57 on Friday.
A spokesperson for Network Rail said that they would investigate the derailment to establish the cause. While services were running normally through the area on Friday morning, trains were running at a reduced speed. Any customers that were delayed could claim delay repay. Southeastern has been contacted for comment and it is not yet clear if the safety inspections are connected to the derailment.
The derailment has sparked concerns among residents who have said that the incident would have been far more concerning had it happened during the day when children were playing in the area. The incident has also raised fears over the safety of the railway network and the importance of continued routine maintenance of track and equipment..Network Rail’s CEO has recently announced a £1.2bn investment in signalling and upgrading railway stations to improve safety across the UK rail network
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