The rail network between Ely and Peterborough in the UK has reopened after the completion of repair works, following an incident last week that saw a freight train become derailed on the line.

Eleven wagons of a freight train became derailed north of Ely during the accident, which occurred on 14 August. No injuries were reported.

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Network Rail carried out a major recovery operation following the incident, which involved lifting the derailed wagons onto the track via crane and towing them away.

The empty wagons weighed nearly 11t, while the loaded containers carried a weight of around 106t.

Network Rail engineers subsequently replaced the damaged quarter-mile length of track over the weekend after the recovery work had been completed.

Network Rail Anglia CEO Simon Ancona said: “Our engineers and specialist teams have worked tirelessly over the last week to recover the derailed wagons and carry out major repair work so that services can resume today as planned.”

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The line was closed for the duration of the renovation and repair works, which affected various CrossCountry, East Midlands Trains and Greater Anglia operations.

"Our engineers and specialist teams have worked tirelessly over the last week to recover the derailed wagons and carry out major repair work."

Network Rail previously announced that electrification of the Chase line between Rugeley Trent Valley and Walsall is advancing according to the plan.

Engineers have so far installed 52 steel structures, which will support the overhead lines that provide power to the electric trains.

They have also modernised the existing power lines south of Walsall station.

The electrification work forms a part of Network Rail’s national Railway Upgrade Plan, under which nearly £100m has been invested to improve the Chase line.

Image: Rail crane lifts wagons and containers. Photo: courtesy of Network Rail.

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