An investigation is underway after a Southeastern train derailed at low speed near Ramsgate station on Thursday night (November 28). The incident caused significant disruption to services, leading to delays, cancellations, and the deployment of replacement buses.
Details of the Incident
The derailment occurred in the sidings at Ramsgate depot, and fortunately, the train was empty at the time. Southeastern confirmed the incident shortly after 8 p.m., having initially closed the line earlier in the evening for safety inspections.
A Southeastern spokesperson stated:
“An incident occurred last night in which an empty train, in the sidings at Ramsgate depot, derailed at low speed. There were no injuries, and the incident is under investigation.”
Impact on Services
Trains between Ramsgate and Minster were severely delayed or cancelled while inspections and repairs were conducted. Southeastern informed customers of the disruption on its X (formerly Twitter) account and provided replacement bus services for affected routes.
Passengers travelling through Ramsgate were advised to check the Southeastern website and app for the latest updates. The company also offered its Delay Repay scheme for those who experienced significant delays.
Community Response
Commuters expressed frustration over the disruption, with some criticizing the lack of clarity during the early stages of the incident. However, Southeastern assured customers that services had resumed as of Friday morning, albeit with reduced speeds through the affected area.
Apology from Southeastern
Southeastern issued an apology to customers, saying:
“We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this incident. The latest travel updates are available on our website, app, and X and WhatsApp channels.”
Ongoing Investigation
Network Rail and Southeastern have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the derailment and prevent future incidents. Further updates are expected as enquiries progress.
Passengers are advised to monitor Southeastern’s communication channels for any further updates on service changes or delays.
