British locomotive derails, creates havoc

BLETCHLEY, England, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- A British freight train approaching a set of points "at a high speed" derailed, knocking out service for more than 12 hours, a rail spokesman said.

The 129-ton Freightliner locomotive contracted from Virgin Trains to Network Rail was not towing any cars behind it when it derailed at Bletchley station at 2:20 a.m. GMT Friday, the London Evening Standard reported.

Rail investigators say they suspect the driver could possibly have become "confused" and set off too fast -- about 50 mph -- across the junction where there is a 15 mph speed limit.

The unnamed Network Rail spokesman said the locomotive careened across three sets of tracks ripping them up and destroying a fourth set. The incident also caused overhead power cables to come crashing down, the newspaper said.

"You are meant to approach points at a relatively low speed," the unnamed spokesman said. "But it looks like that move was taken at a high speed and, as a result, the train has derailed."

Network Rail was unable to start repairs until Rail Accident Investigation Branch investigators had finished their initial inquiries, the BBC said.

The train's engineer, who was injured, was taken to a local hospital.