The railway line near Carentan, where a freight train derailed two weeks ago, will partially reopen around 14 or 15 February, while six additional weeks are necessary for a full reopening. The costs of the whole operation has been estimated at 10 million euros, according to France’s infrastructure manager SNCF Réseau.
The accident took place on 11 January and involved a train operating Brittany Ferries’ rail highway service between Cherbourg and Bayonne/Moguerre. The convoy derailed near Carentan, about 50 kilometres from Cherbourg, causing the closure of the Cherbourg-Caen section. SNCF Réseau commenced cleanup operations five days later, on 16 January.
So far, eight of the 17 derailed wagons and 15 of 34 semi-trailers were recovered. The situation is a little more complicated for the remaining ones, as they are located near a rail bridge. This operation should be completed by mid-February, allowing for the restart of traffic along one track, according to the French IM.
Six weeks until full reopening
Six weeks later, at the end of March, the full line should be back in full operation. Throughout this time, SNCF Réseau’s workers will be quite busy. They’ll have to completely rebuild the line along 530 metres, replace four catenary posts, 1,250 metres of overhead line and a switch and reinforce the infrastructure for 700 metres. These operations will involve 40 operators and three trains.
If passengers will get replacement bus services between Cherbourg and Lison, Brittany Ferries had to think outside the box to keep freight moving. The goods, which usually reach Cherbourg from the UK via ferry and then the French Basque Countries by rail, will simply continue their sea journey to Bilbao. This service is supposed to last at least until the end of January, Brittany Ferries said. It remains to be seen whether the new reopening schedule will change their plans.