Lewes derailment - Thursday 13th August

[Haywain]

Front four will be off to Stewarts Lane on the back of a loco. Rear four will be recovered one vehicle at a time by a pair of K1200s to a level crossing north of the site for onward transport by road.

That seems quite a long way to be moving the vehicles with cranes.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

That seems quite a long way to be moving the vehicles with cranes.

Theres an AHB crossing c1.1km towards Cooksbrisge although looks a bit tight to get road crane and low loaders so I would imagine it will be Cooksbridge (c2.3km) which has a small car park adjacent to the level crossing.

As the bogies are still attached it maybe possible to move them via rail to wherever has been designated.

 

[Haywain]

Theres an AHB crossing c1.1km towards Cooksbrisge although looks a bit tight to get road crane and low loaders so I would imagine it will be Cooksbridge (c2.3km) which has a small car park adjacent to the level crossing.

Yes, I noted that the nearest level crossing is around ¾ mile from the accident site. That's why it seems a long way.

 

[Annetts key]

That seems quite a long way to be moving the vehicles with cranes.

Could be they will be using wheel skates.

 

[renegademaster]

Front four will be off to Stewarts Lane on the back of a loco. Rear four will be recovered one vehicle at a time by a pair of K1200s to a level crossing north of the site for onward transport by road.

What's the easiest way of loco hauling a 37x?

 

[CalderRail]

What's the easiest way of loco hauling a 37x?

A 57/3 ?

 

[D6130]

Yes, I noted that the nearest level crossing is around ¾ mile from the accident site. That's why it seems a long way.

Hamsey Crossing.

 

[SECR 65]

I can't imagine that Cooksbrige Crossing would be a favoured option. It's a major road (the A275) which is used by countless cars and multiple bus routes. I'm sure it could be closed if essential but traffic wise losing that road for several hours is not ideal.

 

[liam456]

Take a look at that nice timber yard on the down side of Cooksbridge station...

 

[Snow1964]

Interesting story, someone who was on the train is apparently still waiting for his pocessions including a passport and keys to be returned

Does make you wonder if railway are saying when evacuating take all your luggage with you, because otherwise you won get them back promptly (if ever). Seems very short sighted safety approach.

A student caught up in the derailment of a train near Lewes says his passport and keys to his home are still on the carriage.

Alvin Dybvik Payne, from Seaford, had been visiting his family on a trip back from his university course in Norway when the carriage he was riding in rolled off the tracks, leaving him scrambling to help others to safety.

The economics student, 20, said he could not fly back to Oslo until his belongings, including his laptop with his university work on, were retrieved from the scene.

British Transport Police (BTP) said carriages were not yet safe to access, while Southern and Network Rail said they were "making every effort to reunite passengers with their belongings".

Speaking outside the site cordon, Alvin told BBC South East Today: "It's quite frustrating due to the fact that it is right over there.

"I could go home to Norway on an emergency passport, but if I did I couldn't get into my flat, I wouldn't be able to go to lectures, and I wouldn't have any of my essentials.

"I know that staff are doing their job, but I was on top of the train, it should be alright to reach a hand in and grab it."

Alvin boarded the 14:24 BST service from London Victoria to Eastbourne at Gatwick Airport before the train derailed at Lewes shortly before 16:00 on Thursday.

Seaford student faces wait for belongings after Lewes train derailment

Alvin Dybvik Payne was visiting Seaford from Norway when the train he was on derailed at Lewes.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[tcm1106]

I can't imagine that Cooksbrige Crossing would be a favoured option. It's a major road (the A275) which is used by countless cars and multiple bus routes. I'm sure it could be closed if essential but traffic wise losing that road for several hours is not ideal.

That’s the working plan

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Aug 2026 ==

Theres an AHB crossing c1.1km towards Cooksbrisge although looks a bit tight to get road crane and low loaders so I would imagine it will be Cooksbridge (c2.3km) which has a small car park adjacent to the level crossing.

As the bogies are still attached it maybe possible to move them via rail to wherever has been designated.

Theres an AHB crossing c1.1km towards Cooksbrisge although looks a bit tight to get road crane and low loaders so I would imagine it will be Cooksbridge (c2.3km) which has a small car park adjacent to the level crossing.

As the bogies are still attached it maybe possible to move them via rail to wherever has been designated.

That is indeed the plan.

 

[Swedenorer]

Interesting story, someone who was on the train is apparently still waiting for his pocessions including a passport and keys to be returned

Does make you wonder if railway are saying when evacuating take all your luggage with you, because otherwise you won get them back promptly (if ever). Seems very short sighted safety approach.

More BBC moaning copy, it's pretty well all they ever lead with these days. When you evacuate you evacuate. There is nothing short sighted about it.

 

[GordonT]

That seems quite a long way to be moving the vehicles with cranes.

The other option would be to call on the skills of the 'Sir Herbert Gussett' chap from the 'Off the Road at Paddington' thread. He would have everything put to rights in an afternoon.

 

[Haywain]

Interesting story, someone who was on the train is apparently still waiting for his pocessions including a passport and keys to be returned

Does make you wonder if railway are saying when evacuating take all your luggage with you, because otherwise you won get them back promptly (if ever). Seems very short sighted safety approach.

Seaford student faces wait for belongings after Lewes train derailment

Alvin Dybvik Payne was visiting Seaford from Norway when the train he was on derailed at Lewes.

www.bbc.co.uk

People just find anything to moan about, encouraged by the media. Evacuate means just that, don’t worry about stuff that can be replaced because lives can’t be.

 

[35B]

People just find anything to moan about, encouraged by the media. Evacuate means just that, don’t worry about stuff that can be replaced because lives can’t be.

Which is fine. But the accident happened several days ago, the threat to life is now long past, and the consequences are now significant for at least this one individual.

Without agreeing with the Herbert Gussetts of this world, there is something to be questioned about just how long this is taking. At the simple level of returning possessions, there is a safety implication if people decide to try to take bags when evacuating because they don't trust that they'll be dealt with appropriately. And more generally, the time taken to restore normal operations is getting increasingly long - it sometimes seems as though the industry has collectively lost sight of the value of time

 

[Haywain]

At the simple level of returning possessions, there is a safety implication if people decide to try to take bags when evacuating because they don't trust that they'll be dealt with appropriately.

People should assume that in circumstances such as this they are not going to see the possessions again. Anything better is a bonus. This student saying he wouldn't be able to get into his flat in Oslo should question how he would deal with actually losing the keys in a fire or similar. And the work on the laptop should be backed up.

there is something to be questioned about just how long this is taking. <snip> And more generally, the time taken to restore normal operations is getting increasingly long - it sometimes seems as though the industry has collectively lost sight of the value of time

I think that's fair. I am surprised we haven't heard anything from RAIB yet, which might at least explain the delay. I think the level of investigation (by police and RAIB) now means that recovery of the vehicles and reinstatement of the infrastructure take something of a back seat.

 

[Snow1964]

What is stopping the relevant companies from making reinforcements to keep the carriages in place? Is it an environmental issue or is it just not cost effective?

It is illogical that they cannot be tied with straps to stop them sliding, and thus making them safe for limited entry, because if can't attach straps, then never going to be able to attach a crane hook to lift them.

Unless recovery has drastically changed, each vehicle will be secured from sliding down an embankment before cutting the (maybe bent) drawbar holding it at the moment.

So no reason not to have secured them from moving already, because going to be done anyway, to hold other vehicles before lift vehicles one by one

 

[Cowley]

There’s now a separate thread below to discuss the issue of getting items left on the train back.

How should Network Rail go about returning personal items after the Lewes incident?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj9dx1298v7o People have not been able to get their personal possessions as Network Rail say it is unsafe. One guy can't get his house keys or his passport so can't travel back to Norway. The photo shows people standing on the side of the coach which seems...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[mrl3bon]

Related to the derailment, do we have any information on the 20mph speed restriction from Polegate to Southerham Junction which has been in place since Friday. This appears to be separate to the landslip between Polegate and Willingdon Junction. Whilst a different portion of the East Coastway it does seem to be related to the derailment based on the timing.

 

[tcm1106]

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:06949/2026-08-18/detailed

Inbound for collection…

 

[trainmania100]

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:06949/2026-08-18/detailed

Inbound for collection…

Interesting how it's 2x 47s*. You'd think only one needed to attach to the north end and drag it wrong line to Keymer Junction like the cranes did. Unless a reversal at Lewes is needed for whatever reason, or maybe the front 387 is going to lovers walk instead of selhurst?

To get a 47 on each end of the unit will be an interesting working in itself given there are no junctions between Keymer and Lewes.

*Source: loco sighting reports.

 

[BRX]

Interesting how it's 2x 47s*. You'd think only one needed to attach to the north end and drag it wrong line to Keymer Junction like the cranes did. Unless a reversal at Lewes is needed for whatever reason, or maybe the front 387 is going to lovers walk instead of selhurst?

To get a 47 on each end of the unit will be an interesting working in itself given there are no junctions between Keymer and Lewes.

*Source: loco sighting reports.

They'll have to fetch it from the Lewes end surely, as the track is messed up in the other direction. And presumably put a 47 on each end there, as it'll have to reverse at either Brighton or Eastbourne in order to get anywhere.

 

[trainmania100]

They'll have to fetch it from the Lewes end surely, as the track is messed up in the other direction. And presumably put a 47 on each end there, as it'll have to reverse at either Brighton or Eastbourne in order to get anywhere.

A point I overlooked. I thought they'd collect the front (presumably undamaged) unit where it stands once track fixed. But your idea of taking it to Lewes (or Newhaven sidings even) sounds more plausible

 

[zwk500]

A point I overlooked. I thought they'd collect the front (presumably undamaged) unit where it stands once track fixed.

They'll need the units out of the way before they can repair the track, surely?

But your idea of taking it to Lewes (or Newhaven sidings even) sounds more plausible

I'd have thought if it was being taken beyond Lewes it'd go to Eastbourne, as that's at least a carriage stabling facility not a freight yard. It'll be interesting to see what actually ends up happening

 

[marshlinker]

They'll need the units out of the way before they can repair the track, surely?

I'd have thought if it was being taken beyond Lewes it'd go to Eastbourne, as that's at least a carriage stabling facility not a freight yard. It'll be interesting to see what actually ends up happening

i reckon it'll go to Lewes and reverse enroute to Brighton and beyond. Eastbourne's carriage sidings are basically to service trains that start?finish service there or Ore plus the 171s for Marshlink. it has limited facilities and space. The coastway line is signalled for reversing trains just east of Lewes so trains can divert that way when the Brighton Main line is closed south of Keymer Junction.

 

[trainmania100]

i reckon it'll go to Lewes and reverse enroute to Brighton and beyond. Eastbourne's carriage sidings are basically to service trains that start?finish service there or Ore plus the 171s for Marshlink. it has limited facilities and space. The coastway line is signalled for reversing trains just east of Lewes so trains can divert that way when the Brighton Main line is closed south of Keymer Junction.

Need to get the 47s on both ends of the train for that to happen, only place that can be done (at least during service) would be somewhere like Eastbourne or Newhaven marine where they can take one of the double headed 47s and change to top and tail, for the onward move to wherever.

Considering the cranes are blocking the up line at cooksbridge and I believe there is a mobile maintenance train in the mix somewhere as well, my guess is the 47s will run together to Lewes, join the 387 at the front together, take it somewhere so it can properly be made top and tail formation.

Just my thoughts

 

[SouthernOne]

The loco driver, may need to stay overnight and there is a Premier Inn right by the railway station in Haywards Heath. It could be a simple as that! To choose Haywards Heath!

 

[CalderRail]

Need to get the 47s on both ends of the train for that to happen, only place that can be done (at least during service) would be somewhere like Eastbourne or Newhaven marine where they can take one of the double headed 47s and change to top and tail, for the onward move to wherever.

Considering the cranes are blocking the up line at cooksbridge and I believe there is a mobile maintenance train in the mix somewhere as well, my guess is the 47s will run together to Lewes, join the 387 at the front together, take it somewhere so it can properly be made top and tail formation.

Just my thoughts

Or they'll run one loco down to do the pickup, and have the other attach wherever the reversal takes place.

I'm sure they have a plan, anyway.

 

[8ace]

Are they restricted to 33mph light engine(s)? That can't be easy to path in the evening peak!

 

[Class15]

Are they restricted to 33mph light engine(s)? That can't be easy to path in the evening peak!

It’s an RTT bug. That should be 75.