Published: 15 October, 2013
by TOM FOOT

A FREIGHT train derailed at 3am this morning bringing down power lines and apparently smashing into a wall above Camden Gardens in Camden Town.

Network Rail said a wagon on the overnight freight service, travelling between Lawley Street, Birmingham, and Felixstowe in Suffolk, “detached” at Camden Road.

The popular North London Line has been shut down in both directions between Gospel Oak and Stratford, heaping misery on commuters.

The line has for years been used for passenger trains and freight trains carrying spent fuel from reactors at Sizewell and Bradwell nuclear power stations. Rail crash investigators were on site today but would not say what cargo was on board when the train derailed. Camden Gardens was locked this morning with police tape around the gates. 

A Network Rail spokeswoman said: “At 0300am on Tuesday 15 October it was reported that a wagon of a freight service travelling from Lawley Street to Felixstowe on the North London Line has derailed and a container has become detached at Camden Road. This has caused extensive damage to the overhead wires. Network Rail engineers, British Transport Police and Rail Accident Investigation Branch are on site investigating the incident. The cause is not yet known.

“Owing to this incident, services will not be running between Stratford and Gospel Oak until further notice. Passengers are advised to check with National Rail Enquiries before they travel as alternative arrangements are in place.”