A historic level of damage was caused by Storm Éowyn. So much so, that it has been compared to the Great Storm of 1987, which famously (if erroneously) reduced Sevenoaks ion Kent to one oak – the other six were claimed to have been blown into neighbouring Essex. Nevertheless, the clean up after last week’s gales has left the rail network with a huge task.
Although the winds subsided on Friday, railway engineers were still out on lines around the UK, notably in Ireland and Scotland, restoring services. By Wednesday, the exposed west coastal line to Stranraer still remained closed – although the local football team managed to fulfil a league fixture in Bonnyrigg, near Edinburgh on Tuesday night. Those travelling in support needed a replacement bus service for the first leg of their journey to Ayr.
Just another January in Scotland
In Ireland, the last storm-enforced closure was lifted on Wednesday morning. Westport and Ballina to Athlone services were expected to resume today. “The line had been closed due to the impact of major power outages affecting dozens of level crossings, and fallen trees on the line,” said an Irish Rail statement. “[When this service is restored] all lines will be operating across the network.”
Power outages affected more than level crossings. Ballina is the west of Ireland intermodal hub. Consequently, freight services have also been affected. One million homes were blacked out across Ireland, and over 100,000 in Scotland. Add to that the typical January weather in the Highlands, and it has been a tough week for the railways – and everyone else.
Hundreds of incidents and no away win
One operator in the UK, GB Railfreight, has been relating their experiences, particularly on the Highland Main Line, between Perth and Inverness. Anyone in the Highland capital who noticed the supermarket shelves just a little less well stocked than usual, now has photographic evidence as to the cause. Inverness usually has a daily delivery of fast moving consumer goods by rail. Not so fast moving these past few days, obviously.
Over the weekend GB Railfreight (GBRf) was tasked by Network Rail Scotland to assist in the route proving of Scotland’s rail network in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn. “GBRf transported Network Rail colleagues to remove fallen trees which were uprooted and blocking the rail network,” said their spokesperson. Network Rail confirmed that more than 120 trees had fallen on lines. A further 380 storm-related incidents required their attention. “[These were] along many routes across Scotland including; Fort William to Mallaig and Helensburgh Upper, Crainlarich to Oban and Inverness to Dunblane [the Highland Main Line],” said GBRf.
Services, and hopefully supermarket shelves, have been restored across Scotland. Containers are moving again from Ballina. Stranraer FC made it safely back from their fixture at Bonnyrigg Rose FC. Well done to them for their efforts. Bonnyrigg showed them all the hospitality they deserved … then beat them 3-1.