Kent: High speed train derails at Ramsgate railway depot

John Horton A blue train with the words high speed written on the side in grey. The train has left the track and is in green undergrowth. Trees are in the backgroundJohn Horton

Network Rail engineers are working to establish what caused the derailment

An investigation has been launched after a high-speed train derailed in Kent.

The train was travelling at a low speed in a sidings at Ramsgate railway maintenance depot on Thursday night when it left the tracks, according to Network Rail.

There were no passengers aboard the train and no reported injuries but a local resident said the train derailed “inches” from a family’s garden fence.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said an investigation is now underway to find out what caused the derailment.

Angela Anne A chain link fence and green ivy in front of a blue trainAngela Anne

The train was ‘inches’ away from a residential garden, said a resident

“An incident occurred last night in which an empty train, in the sidings at Ramsgate depot, derailed at low speed,” the spokesperson said.

“Services are running normally through the area this morning, at a reduced speed.

“There was some disruption to our services, and if any of customers were delayed then they can claim delay repay.”

Rail operator Southeastern said on X at 19:25 GMT on Thursday that trains were unable to run between Ramsgate and Minster due to a safety inspection of the tracks.

John Horton A blue train which has derailed. It is in undergrowth in front of three grey metal boxesJohn Horton

The train remains near the sidings on Friday morning

Ten minutes later, they posted to say the inspection was complete and trains could run again.

At 20:03, the operator said an additional safety issue had been found and that trains were halted between Ramsgate and Minster.

Services resumed at 20:16 but at a slow speed, causing delays until 00:57 on Friday.

It is not yet clear if the safety inspections are linked to the derailment.

Southeastern was contacted for comment.

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