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Freight train blaze causes rail chaos
Page 12
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AS CMWENT to press, rail freight operator EWS was investigating the cause of a blaze on one of its trains that paralysed the East Coast main line.
The fire began at 6.30am on Tuesday 30 January as the EWS train loaded with Citroen cars and vans was heading north near Drem in East Lothian. All 36 vehicles on board the rear six wagons were destroyed; reports suggest they were worth about Z300,000.
Eye witnesses reported fivemetre flames and explosions every couple of minutes — the burning carriages caused chaos on the East Coast main line and the North Berwick branch line.
About 50 firefighters from North Berwick, Haddington, Musselburgh and East Linton took three hours to put out the fire; there have been no suggestions of foul play.
The 10-wagon train had left Washwood Heath in Birmingham at 9.53pm the previous evening and was due to reach Bathgate in West Lothian at 8.32am.
Police advised nearby residents to keep windows and doors closed because of the smoke billowing from the carriages.
EWS operates abou t 800 freight trains a day across the country.