Major disruption to the UK’s west coast main line after a Glasgow to London train was derailed by a landslide

Posted on November 3, 2025

An early morning train derailment caused major disruption on the West Coast Main Line. Thousands of passengers’ journeys across the UK have been affected by significant delays caused by the incident on the 4:28am Avanti West Coast service from Glasgow Central to London Euston. In Cumbria, an area known for its harsh weather and mountainous scenery, the derailment occurred at around 06:10 GMT near a young man. The accident is believed to have been caused by a landslide, raising concerns about the region’s vulnerability to this type of accident, especially after a rainy weekend that saw more than 77 mm of rain fall in three days.

Landslides and their impact on railway services

The train, which was carrying 87 passengers, including employees, derailed after suffering a landslide. This landslide blocked the main railway lines north of Preston and south of Carlisle, stranding passengers on both sides of the crash site. Fortunately, none of the passengers suffered serious injuries, and only four were reported to have minor injuries that did not require hospitalization. However, the disruption caused by the derailment is expected to continue for several days, with experts pointing to the area’s steep slopes and extreme weather conditions as contributing factors to the landslide.

Avanti West Coast has confirmed that significant disruptions are expected across its network. Southbound services from Glasgow and Edinburgh to London Euston will be canceled for the time being, and services from London will terminate at Preston. At the moment, the rail network is in a state of uncertainty, with passengers still unsure when they will be able to travel along the West Coast Main Line again. This disruption extends to other rail companies as well, including TransPennine Express, which shares part of the same line.

Impacts on TransPennine Express and other rail services

TransPennine Express services, which also use the West Coast Mainline, are experiencing severe operational difficulties. The train operator has announced that all services traveling from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Liverpool or Manchester will only run as far as Carlisle. Furthermore, due to ongoing disruption, it has proven difficult to run a limited replacement bus service to the railway between Preston and Carlisle. The lack of sufficient buses has further complicated the situation for stranded passengers.

For those planning to travel on Monday, tickets will be used for Tuesday, allowing some relief for travelers facing additional hurdles. In response to the crisis, tickets are being accepted for Avanti West Coast and TransPennine services on various other routes, including journeys from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh with LNER and from Edinburgh to Glasgow Central with ScotRail. Passengers traveling between Carlisle and Newcastle or Preston and Manchester can also use other services, such as Northern and CrossCountry, as an alternative.

Challenges posed by the terrain and weather in Cumbria

Cumbria’s geographical conditions have always presented a challenge to railway operations, especially in the winter months. The steep hills surrounding the railway line, combined with the region’s heavy rainfall, make the area vulnerable to landslides. Network Rail confirmed it was investigating whether a landslide directly caused the train to derail, although it is clear the weather played an important role. According to the BBC, 77.4 mm of rain has fallen in the past three days alone, a figure exceeding a third of the total rainfall expected for November. Heavy rains soaked the ground, likely triggering the landslide that caused the train to derail.

Last year, a similar incident occurred in the same area, when heavy rains triggered other landslides. As weather patterns continue to shift and intensify, the West Coast Main Line is expected to experience more of these disruptions in the future unless significant infrastructure improvements are made. Local officials, including Shap Parish Council leader Jan Jackson, stressed the need to address long-standing weaknesses in the area’s railway lines.

Rail replacement services and travel alternatives

While repairs are being carried out, replacement rail bus services between Preston and Carlisle are the primary means of bypassing the disruption for commuters. However, due to the limited availability of buses, it has proven difficult to maintain this service at the required level. Many passengers had no choice but to rely on these limited replacement services while waiting for further updates.

For those trying to reach their destinations south or north, alternative routes have been organised. Passengers can use services from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh or travel between Glasgow and Edinburgh using ScotRail. CrossCountry provides additional services between Edinburgh and Birmingham, and Northern operates services between Carlisle and Newcastle, as well as between Preston and York.

Local and government reactions to the incident

The local community expressed concern about the recurrence of such incidents in the area, which have caused major disruption in the past. Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat MP for Westmoreland and Lonsdale, spoke to Network Rail about the damage to the railway and the next steps to restore full service. He also pledged to raise the issue in the House of Commons to address long-term infrastructure improvements on the West Coast Main Line.

Meanwhile, the Scottish First Minister expressed relief that no one was seriously injured in the derailment and stated that he was liaising with the UK Government to ensure affected passengers were properly supported. Clearly, the need for better infrastructure and more reliable services on the West Coast Main Line is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention.

conclusion

The derailment of the Avanti West Coast train is a sobering reminder of the difficulties presented by the climate and geography of the region. Although there have been no deaths, widespread disruption to West Coast mainline travel will have a significant impact in the coming days. Passengers are encouraged to inquire with train operators for the latest information as authorities attempt to clear tracks and resume regular service. If their travel plans are affected, rail users may also want to look to alternative routes and other forms of transportation. Given these frequent disruptions, the long-term sustainability of the West Coast Main Line is sure to be examined in the coming weeks.