The Cruachan train derailment is about 6 miles from where we live.
Last night there was plenty of rescue activity: police, fire engines, helicopters – mainly because of the remoteness of the site, or so it was said. Thankfully there were few injuries and they were not reckoned to be serious, although eight people were taken to hospitals. The road to Oban is now closed and effectively it means a detour of 77 miles each way to get to our local metropolis. Come to think of it, Glasgow is probably nearer.
We were going to Oban to visit Son #3 this afternoon – needless to say our plans have been amended. People working in essential services are having a long commute, and nobody knows yet what exactly will happen. Photos here on the BBC website. Also if you look at the heading picture on this blog – the train derailment is round about at the far left hand side.
Nasty business!
And set to take several days at least, to sort out. A crane has to come by road in bits, and then be reassembled on site. Lots of people scratching their heads and wondering what to do.
I remember when the road beneath the derailment was being constructed. They built out into the loch with massive boulders. On the news it said the road would have to be strengthened to take the weight of the crane and the train.
Very glad everybody is safe, but my weekly commute for the 7am Saturday ferry out of Oban is looking like being a long drive (from Glasgow)! Any thoughts on whether the Glencoe diversion would ultimately be faster than the Lochgilphead diversion, or not?
My father was a railroading man. He worked the tracks and a train derailment would just about kill the men because the work was so hard and had to be done at great speed.
The latest news this morning is that it will at least be Fri/Sat before the road is clear. The engineers are apparently still debating about how to get the train lifted onto the track. Some are indeed saying that the road will need strengthening, Jimmy.
Linda, goodness knows how they managed in previous days when there was not the modern equipment available. This has all been made so much worse by the extreme slope of the mountain on one side and a deep loch on the other.
Buzz, Glencoe would be quicker by 12miles and is also a faster road than Lochgilphead I think. Hope you make it. Doesn’t look as if it is going to be open this week according to local speak.