Network Rail has released images from the complex operation to recover the trains damaged in the Bedford train crash, in which an East Midlands Railway engineer lost his life and several passengers were injured. The line between Bedford and Luton remains closed, and passengers are advised to travel only if absolutely necessary.
Network Rail has released images of the operation to recover the damaged trains and cars following the train accident near Bedford, which involved two East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains.
The operation is complex and must be completed before engineers can assess the damage to the infrastructure, repair the line, and carry out final safety checks.
The accident occurred on Friday, June 19, in the Bedford area. As a result of the collision, EMR train operator Shaun Burton lost his life, and several passengers were injured.
110-metric-ton railway cranes
According to Network Rail, the first stage of the operation involves preparing the area to lift the damaged trains.
The overhead contact line, which powers electric trains, must be temporarily removed. At the same time, a temporary access road and a concrete foundation are being constructed to allow a crane to operate.
Two Kirow railway cranes, each with a capacity of 110 metric tons, will be used to lift the trains and cars from the accident site.
Subsequently, a road crane will move the vehicles onto a special low loader trailer designed for transporting very heavy equipment. The damaged trains will then be transported by road.
Once the vehicles have been removed, Network Rail engineers will inspect the track, carry out the necessary repairs, reinstall the overhead contact line, and perform final safety checks before reopening the line to traffic.
The Bedford–Luton line remains closed
During the recovery and repair operation, the line between Bedford and Luton remains closed.
The British rail industry is warning passengers planning to travel through Bedford to expect disruptions until the end of the week, specifically until June 28, and to use the route only if travel is essential.
There will be no GTR trains north of Luton or EMR trains south of Bedford. A limited replacement bus service is available between Luton and Bedford.
Travel planning apps and websites have been updated to reflect the changes, and passengers are advised to check real-time information before departure.
EMR Reduces Intercity and Connect Services
East Midlands Railway will not operate trains between Bedford and London St Pancras while the line remains closed.
Trains that normally start or stop at London St Pancras will now begin and end at Bedford.
Starting this week, EMR is operating a reduced service on the Intercity and Connect routes, while regional routes are unaffected.
The operator will provide one train per hour on the Sheffield–Bedford route, with stops at Chesterfield, Derby, Long Eaton, East Midlands Parkway, Loughborough, Leicester, Market Harborough, Kettering, and Bedford.
There will also be one train per hour between Nottingham and Bedford, stopping at Beeston, East Midlands Parkway, Loughborough, Leicester, Market Harborough, Kettering, Wellingborough, and Bedford.
Between Corby and Kettering, one train per hour will be operated.
Replacement Buses
EMR is providing replacement buses between Kettering and Luton, as well as between Kettering and Luton Airport Parkway, with stops at Wellingborough, Bedford, and Luton.
EMR Luton Airport Express services will not run while recovery operations continue.
Passengers traveling between Luton Airport Parkway and London St Pancras can use their tickets at no extra cost on Thameslink services.
For passengers traveling between Luton Airport Parkway and stations to the north, replacement buses will run between Luton Airport Parkway and Luton, Bedford, or Kettering. Connections to Sheffield and Nottingham are available at Bedford and Kettering.
Thameslink is running only as far as Luton
North of London St Pancras, Thameslink will operate a limited service only as far as Luton.
GTR, the company that operates Thameslink, is asking passengers to travel only if absolutely necessary. There will be no trains running between Bedford and Luton, and replacement bus services will be limited.
During peak hours, Thameslink will operate 4 trains per hour to and from Luton, and 2 trains per hour during off-peak hours.
Between London and St Albans, there will be 8 trains per hour during peak hours and 6 trains per hour during off-peak hours.
Replacement buses will run between Bedford and Luton Airport Parkway, stopping at Luton, every 30 minutes, as well as between Bedford and Luton, stopping at Flitwick, Harlington, and Leagrave, every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes the rest of the day.
GTR announces that it will have additional staff at key stations along the route to assist passengers.
EMR on the Death of Train Engineer Shaun Burton
Will Rogers, CEO of EMR, extended his condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
“It is with deep sadness that we confirm the loss of Shaun Burton, a Mainline engineer, who tragically lost his life in the rail incident at Bedford. Shaun joined EMR in 2019 and was a dedicated rail professional whose commitment, service, and professionalism touched the lives of colleagues and passengers alike,” said Will Rogers.
EMR stated that Shaun Burton was known for his humor, kindness, generosity, and intelligence, as well as for always having a smile on his face.
Before becoming a mechanic, he had also worked as a train conductor, and was described by the company as a respected colleague and a source of support for other employees.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Shaun’s loved ones and everyone affected by this tragic incident,” EMR said.
Network Rail: A Complex and Difficult Operation
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s regional director for the Eastern region, said that the past few days have been extremely difficult for everyone involved.
“The past two days have been incredibly difficult for everyone involved in this incident, and our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the friends, family, and colleagues of the train driver who tragically lost his life, as well as to the passengers affected by this incident,” said Ellie Burrows.
She noted that employees across the entire rail industry are working to remove the trains and cars from the track and repair the track.
“It is a complex and difficult task, and our teams will work tirelessly to reopen the line so that we can resume service between Bedford and London,” said the Network Rail representative.
According to her, the investigation is still in its early stages, but current indications suggest that this was “a tragic, isolated incident.”
Network Rail says the priority is to safely reopen the track and resume service as quickly as possible.
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