An investigation is under way after a train derailed at a depot in Newcastle.
Dramatic images show a TransPennine Express service coming off the tracks and smashing into concrete near the Heaton depot at around 6.30am on Tuesday. No commuters were on board when the train derailed and it has been confirmed there were no injuries as a result of the incident.
The derailment lead to widespread disruption on services in and out of Newcastle. As a result, there were cancellations on other routes operated by London North Eastern Railway and Northern Rail.
READ MORE: Newcastle train derails LIVE: Major rail cancellations after train comes off tracks
An investigation has now been launched and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch has been informed. A TransPennine Express spokesman said: "There will be major disruption to our services between Newcastle and Liverpool/ Edinburgh this morning, following a derailment during a routine depot move by one of our trains at Newcastle depot.
"Thankfully, no-one was injured, and we are now working with our partners to gets services up and running again as a soon as we can. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has been informed.
"Customers planning on travelling on affected routes are asked to avoid travel this morning and instead, travel this afternoon."
Disruption to services was cleared at around 11am after trains were allowed to exit the Heaton depot. However, the derailed train remains at the scene as investigations take place before a recovery operation can commence.
A spokesperson for the Government's Rail Accident Investigation Branch said: "The RAIB has been notified of an derailment which occurred this morning at Heaton depot. RAIB has requested the railway to secure evidence relating to the derailment, this will be reviewed by the Branch and the appropriate course of action decided in the coming days."
TransPennine Express issued advice for anybody needing to claim compensation for disruption today. They added: "We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused to your journey today. If your journey has been delayed, you may be entitled to some compensation.
"Please check www.tpexpress.co.uk/help/delay-repay-compensation for further information. For assistance with your journey, you can also follow us on Twitter @TPEassist or you can message us on WhatsApp at 07812 223 336."
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