The trains will be lifted from the site and transported away by road as an investigation remains ongoing to establish how the crash happened
An update has been issued by Network Rail following the train crash near Bedford, which killed one train driver and injured 100 passengers.
A temporary road has been built on the field next to the train track where the collision took place and will be used by cranes that will contribute to the “complex” recovery operation.
The process will see two 110-tonne rail-mounted Kirow cranes lift the carriages from the site before a road-mounted crane will move them onto a specialised trailer specialised in carrying extremely heavy equipment.
The carriages will then be transported away from the site by road, Network Rail has confirmed.
Following this, engineers will assess the track and carry out any repairs before reinstating the overhead lines and completing final safety checks ahead of reopening the railway.
A statement from Network Rail reads: “A complex recovery operation has begun to remove the damaged trains and carriages from the railway before engineers assess any damage and complete necessary repairs.
“The Overhead Line Equipment – the electrical wires that provide power to the electric trains – must be removed while a temporary access road and concrete foundation is constructed to support the operation of a crane.”
Shaun Burton has been named as the train driver who died in the collision. The 60-year-old joined East Midlands Railway in 2019 and has been described as “a dedicated railway professional whose commitment, service and professionalism touched the lives of colleagues and passengers alike”.
One hundred passengers suffered a range of injuries during the incident, with nine of them in critical condition.
The crash took place on Friday afternoon (June 19) near Bedford when the 4.40pm EMR service from Corby to London St Pancras crashed into the rear of the 3.50pm service from Nottingham to London St Pancras.
Network Rail has warned those planning to travel through Bedford next week that the route will be disrupted until June 28.
As a result, there will be no Greater Thameslink Railway services north of Luton and no EMR services south of Bedford.
