Fallen tree traps train passengers (From Wharfedale Observer)

Fallen tree traps train passengers

1:13pm Thursday 12th January 2012 in News By Jonathan Redhead

About 20 passengers spent more than two hours on a stationary train before walking several hundred yards along tracks to safety after strong winds caused chaos on the Bradford to Ilkley line.

The incident happened near Menston station when a tree fell onto overhead electric wires, causing the two trains travelling between Bradford Forster Square and Ilkley to come to a standstill, while all other services on the routes were replaced by buses.

After a delay of 45 minutes, the train travelling towards Bradford was allowed to move on, but passengers on the Ilkley-bound train were kept on board while engineers tried to fix the problem.

Now passengers are expected to receive compensation or travel vouchers after the experience which saw them herded into one carriage without light or heat on Wednesday evening.

A spokesman for Northern Rail said passengers on the Ilkley-bound train were kept on board for safety reasons as engineers fixed the electrical problems.

“A tree fell onto the overhead wires on the line in the Menston area,” the spokesman said.

“It was reported at 6.46pm. A bus replacement service was put in place between Shipley and Ilkley for the remainder of the evening while engineers worked to assess the damage, carried out repairs and restored power.

“The 6.11pm Bradford Forster Square to Ilkley and 6.21pm Ilkley to Bradford Forster Square services were in the affected area.

“The tree had damaged the overhead wires on the track towards Ilkley but not the track going towards Bradford, so engineers temporarily restored power to allow the 6.21pm service to move forward, which it did at 7.30pm.

“Power was then turned back off so that the appropriate safety measures could be put in place to help passengers off the 6.11pm service and walk them down the track into Menston station.

“All passengers were at Menston by 9pm where onward travel was provided.”

The spokesman said the company would contact all those forced to walk down the track.

“There were approximately 20 customers on board the 6.11pm Bradford-Ilkley service and our customer relations team is contacting each directly,” he said.